In the flamboyant world of sports card collecting, the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card often reigns supreme, the golden chalice that many fervently pursue. Its allure, dazzling stature, and jaw-dropping valuations continually snare the attention of collectors worldwide. However, slipping quietly through the cacophony of auction gavel strikes and market sensationalism is an underdog that collectors are starting to nod at with a knowing smile. Enter the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan #21 card—a stalwart that hasn’t always been in the spotlight but is nonetheless making its mark in the hearts of savvy collectors and investors alike.
To those uninitiated in the world of cardboard celebrity culture, an unassuming piece like the 1989 Fleer might appear as a forgotten cousin sitting in the shadow of the illustrious 1986 rookie card star. Yet, behind its straightforward veneer, this card is quietly but steadily increasing in value—a suitable choice for those whose budgets are driven by taste rather than opulence.
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2021, a PSA 10 graded version of the 1989 Fleer was trading hands for a tidy sum of $1,001. Fast forward a few years to June 2025, and its valuation has risen to a robust $1,200. A steady 20% appreciation might not set fireworks ablaze across the hobby spectrum, but it signifies a dependable investment in a precarious landscape often plagued by drastic ebbs and flows. In the collectors’ world, where sensation often eclipses substance, stability can be a prized commodity.
According to industry powerhouse PSA, there are approximately 1,240 PSA 10s and a whopping 11,000 PSA 9s available in the wild. This might seem like a proverbial flood to the untrained eye, but don’t be misled—demand is persistent and shows little sign of dwindling. Collectors are cottoning on to the idea that not every Jordan card’s price needs to be accompanied by the figure of five zeroes placed cheekily behind a comma.
And here’s where the intrigue thickens: the surge in raw card prices. Not so long ago, in the dimly lit days of 2022, a raw copy could be yours for the modest sum of approximately six dollars. However, as 2023 approached with its collector’s revolution, that very same base-era marvel now commands upwards of twenty dollars. It’s a seemingly modest jump until you realize it signifies over a threefold increase in value. Surprisingly, we’re not speaking about a rare promo or bejeweled insert here—simply put, it’s a quintessential Jordan born from an era that underwent some negligence.
So what’s flipping the love switch now? The answers are quite unexpectedly coherent: escalating grading fees are gently steering collectors toward cards already protected by those rigid, see-through slabs of authority. Additionally, there’s a palpable wave of nostalgia sweeping through the late ’80s basketball scene, a time when ambitious bubblegum cards captured the exuberance of hardwood charisma.
Then there’s the very compelling reality that many aspire to possess a piece of the Jordan narrative without having to remortgage their home or succumb to the lure of cryptocurrency fluctuations.
The 1989 Fleer card does not attempt to steal the limelight with grandiose gestures or pompous embellishments. It doesn’t portray His Airness posterizing Patrick Ewing or adorned with gilded finery; it stands resolute, a testament to the pinnacle of Michael in his prime—during the ascent of the Bulls’ dynasty. It’s a reflection of a time of development and hubris, etched onto glossy cardboard, slowly unfurling as the connoisseur’s alternative.
If your collecting pursuits are guided by the quest for value and nascent upside potential—or perhaps just a sidestep from the more trodden paths—then the 1989 Fleer should beckon your consideration. Jordan didn’t require a ‘rookie’ tag to leave defenders confounded on the hardwood, and similarly, the 1989 Fleer #21 accomplishes commendable feats without the pomp of limelight notoriety.
In the tranquil corridors of seasoned collecting, sometimes it’s the understated gems—the whispers amongst the chatter—that yield the most gratifying stories and returns. They remind us that in a world obsessed with rarity, value often resides in the overlooked and quietly contemplative moments of discovery. The 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan card embodies just that—a subtle magenta and blue-hued testament to patience and perceptive investment. In the grand mosaic of collecting brilliance, it assures us that there’s as much beauty in the steady as there is in the spectacular.
