In the glitzy, high-stakes world of sports card collecting—a realm as varied and eccentric as the basketball talent it often showcases—the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card reigns with unquestionable authority. Whether nestled safely in plastic cases or flaunted as sacred treasures, these rookie cards are the megastars of card collecting, causing many a bank account to groan with the weight of their worth. However, as with all monumental narratives, there are quieter, unsung figures amid the clamor. Enter the 1989 Fleer #21, a card that, while initially overshadowed by its spotlight-drenched older sibling, is now coming of age in its own understated, yet compelling fashion. Like a middle child eager for acknowledgment, it is steadily gaining ground in the collector’s circles.
Despite lacking the over-the-top glitz or the opening-weekend box office draw of its predecessor, this 1989 Fleer card is increasingly catching the eye of discerning collectors, in part due to its accessibility and potential for appreciation. Back in the day (specifically 2021), a pristine PSA 10 from this collection would set you back around $1,001—a tidy sum, yes, but nowhere near the fiscal gymnastic routine required for its 1986 counterpart. Yet in a world where “ka-ching!” is king, what’s truly noteworthy is the 20% increase in its value over a mere span of four years. Fast forward to June 2025, and that same gem mint beauty had hoofed it up to $1,200. Not a jaw-dropping leap, but one that whispers rather assuredly of its steady climb. And let’s not forget that in the measured patience of the collecting world, quiet, consistent growth often courts the victor’s label.
We’d be remiss to ignore the cold, hard numbers from PSA, which indicate roughly 1,240 registered PSA 10s and upwards of 11,000 PSA 9s lurking in the wild. To the untrained eye, these figures may signal availability verging on the ubiquitous. Yet the pulse of the market bangs a different drum—demand is anything but tapering. Collectors have seemingly cottoned onto the notion that not every card of Michael Jordan—a man whose very name is canonized in the sport—needs to come with a hefty price tag.
In an intriguing twist, raw copies—those do-it-yourself leveling adventures yet to experience the spa treatment of professional grading—have experienced quite the uptick. Picture this: a mere couple of years back in 2022, you could snag one for around six bucks, the price of a couple of fancy lattes. Today? That same card goes for a sweltering twenty smackeroos, an appreciation that leaves you shaking your head—but with a smile. Who knew that a base-era Jordan, bereft of gold foil glitz or limited edition fanfare, could evoke such fandom?
One might wonder, why the sudden surge of affection for these cards, apart from the obvious prestige of Jordan’s image? Several factors are swooshing to the forefront: rising grading fees that make pre-graded cards financially appealing, a moist hanky-wielding nostalgia for the late ’80s hoops era when soundtracks leaned heavily on synthesizers and headbands were still cool, and a collective yearning from fans to clutch a slice of MJ legacy without trekking to financial Everest.
The 1989 Fleer isn’t an attention-seeking diva by any means. It lacks the theatrical spectacle of MJ dunking over Ewing or the dazzle of a gold foil border that practically screams, “Look at me!” Still, what it offers is Jordan in his prime—a portrait immortalized at the dawn of Bulls’ fever, quietly gaining traction among what we can only describe as shrewd enthusiasts.
For collectors on the prowl for cards promising value and long-term potential—as well as those hankering for a bit of a departure from the tried and true holy grails of the hobby—the 1989 Fleer deserves a thoughtful nod, perhaps even a standing ovation. After all, Jordan never needed the rookie stamp to dominate on the court; similarly, his 1989 Fleer doesn’t need the mainstream’s adoration to yield solid gains. Indeed, it stands as a testament to the notion that in collecting as in life, the quieter tales often bear the richest threads.