Michael Jordan is a former professional basketball player who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and won six NBA championships playing for Chicago Bulls. Even though he’s no longer active, many people consider him the greatest basketball player of all time.
After all, Jordan is among the crucial figures who made the NBA popular worldwide, but he also became a cultural icon. Jordan broke many records and left people in awe of his capabilities, inspiring future generations to take the same journey.
No wonder he is among the most marketed sports figures ever, making his merchandise and memorabilia highly valuable and sought-after. However, Netflix’s The Last Dance (2020) documentary about Jordan’s career reignited the interest in his collectibles and trading cards.
An unidentified male even stole rare sports cards from a Chicago memorabilia shop in May 2022. That is only one example of how valuable vintage cards are featuring Michael Jordan.
This list takes you back to the past, exploring the rarest Michael Jordan cards.
13. 1984-85 Star Co. Michael Jordan #101 Signed Rookie BGS NM-MT+ 8.5, Autograph 10
Rarity: Quite rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: BGS Mint 10
photo source: Sports.ha.com
The 1986 Fleer card might have the official Rookie card status and is among the most wanted Michael Jordan collectibles, but this one is just as valuable. After all, Star Co. created a comprehensive basketball edition that features Jordan one year before the Fleer version was released.
Thus, this card includes a remarkable BGS (Beckett Grading Service) NM-MT+ 8.5 rated Jordan rookie and his signature written with a blue marker.
The owner acquired Jordan’s signature at the 2016 Upper Deck Flight School autograph signing, and it has a UDA sticker on the reverse side.
12. 1997 #9 Skybox E-X2001 Essential Credentials Future
Rarity: Quite rare
Features Autograph: No
Grading Breakdown: Not graded
photo source: PSACard.com
This hued card is unique due to its vibrant, nearly liquid tones and BGS’s 8.5 rating. Moreover, it is in a near-mint condition and has retro aesthetics.
The Essential Credentials Future card has 9.5 centering, 9.5 edges, and 8.5 surfaces. It also has a lime green-colored parallel version, but both cards are equally hard to find.
11. 1986 #8 Fleer Sticker Card
Rarity: Rare
Features Autograph: No
Grading Breakdown: PSA 10 Mint
photo source: PSACard.com
An auction house sold the 1986 #8 Fleer PSA (Professional Sports authenticator) 10 sticker card for $75.000 in 2021. However, the price of this rare rookie sticker card has been continuously increasing in the past few years due to people being eager to own collectibles from this Rookie set.
As a result, many fake sticker cards appeared, making it challenging to identify the originals. But the real cards typically have gum stains or residues, poor centering, and cut issues.
10. 2000 #MJ-G Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Signatures Gold Michael Jordan (GOLD)
Rarity: Rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: PSA 9 Mint
photo source: Sports.ha.com
Most experienced collectors are familiar with the rarity of this card and know it can be hard to find it in good condition. It has a unique design and a “21/25” stamp over the picture.
However, the most significant element of this card is the signature in blue ink, testifying that this item is original. No wonder a PSA 10 #MJ-G sold for $102.000 in 2021.
9. 1999 #GJ10A Upper Deck Game Jerseys Autographed Michael Jordan
Rarity: Rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: PSA 9 Mint
photo source: Sports.ha.com
The #GJ10A card belongs to a limited edition, and collectors only had the chance to obtain it via mail when it was released. It included a Game Jersey swatch and autograph in blue ink.
BGS encapsulated it and graded it as Mint 9, while Beckett graded it a 10. Thus, the card includes a congratulatory statement on the reverse side and has a “13/23” serial number.
8. 1998 #9PT Fleer Tradition Playmakers Theatre Michael Jordan
Rarity: Rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: Gem Mint 10
photo source: Sports.ha.com
Even though there are 15 copies of this card according to PSA’s census, only four have passed the superior assessment. This card has the GEM MT 10 rating, and it displays a unique design and background.
It belongs to a limited edition, and it has the “14/15” serial number. The reverse side includes a tribute text to Jordan’s capabilities and the time he brought home two points and defended his number – 23.
7. 1984-85 Rookie #101 Star Co.
Rarity: Rare
Features Autograph: No
Grading Breakdown: BGS Mint 9
photo source: Sports.ha.com
Even though this card doesn’t include a signature, it’s more valuable than the autographed #101 Rookie card. That’s because it’s placed at a higher tier and is scarcer.
Star Company might have produced 3000 Rookie cards, but only three copies have this rating. Thus, this card has well-kept edges and sleek surface aesthetics.
6. 2002-03 #MJ2NBA Upper Deck NBA Logo Mania Michael Jordan Logoman Autograph 1/1 #MJ2NBA
Rarity: Very rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: Gem Mint 9.5
photo source: Sports.ha.com
Only nine Logoman cards were included in the 2002-03 Upper Deck Basketball Cards packs. Michael Jordan was also on one of these cards, alongside Kobe Bryant and Jay Williams.
Every card includes the NBA logo patch from the jersey the featured player has worn during the game. However, the signature in blue ink is likely the most treasured element of this card and why so many collectors want it.
5. 2008 #23 Skybox Precious Metal Gems – Red
Rarity: Very rare
Features Autograph: No
Grading Breakdown: Gem Mint 10
photo source: Sports.ha.com
Precious Metal Gems were highly cherished in the 90s because every card had no more than 100 copies. However, 90 had a red background.
Although only three red examples were recorded to date, the Skybox Metal Universe released a green variant more than a decade earlier. As a result, people who own this variation in a mint condition might be unaware they possess a small fortune.
4. 2000 #MJKB-A Upper Deck Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant (Game Jerseys Combo 2)
Rarity: Very rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: Information Unavailable
photo source: Sports.ha.com
Many fans call this unique card the absolute crown jewel of the 2000-01 UD Game Jersey Edition, the first issue in hobby history offering dual-swatch auto cards. However, the Jordan-Bryant combo is the most wanted due to featuring two basketball icons and game-changers.
This card is also known as The Godfather of Dual-Swatch Auto Cards and the first joint signing of a trading card between these two players. However, only two copies appear within the Beckett Grading Card Population, making this card highly valuable.
3. 1997 Skybox Precious Metal Gems – Green
Rarity: Very rare
Features Autograph: No
Grading Breakdown: Not graded, but PSA labeled it as authentic
photo source: Beckett
The 1997-98 Metal Universe issue is a part of the first edition of the Precious Metal Gems cards and was released alongside the base cards. Even though 90 cards had red foil, only ten were green, highlighting how rare they are.
However, the PSA only received six emerald copies to grade, making them more unique than their red counterparts. On top of that, the green foil is more prone to damage, explaining why the 1997 Metal Universe card can be beyond pricey.
2. 1997-98 Upper Deck, Game Jerseys Card
Rarity: Very rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: PSA 7
photo source: Sports Collectors Daily
This revered card displays Michael Jordan during the game in the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, and the match when the West defeated the East with 153:113 in front of 14.000 fans. That was also the last All-Star for Hall of Fame members James Worthy and Magic Johnson.
No wonder this was the most expensive Michael Jordan card for a long time, and it still stands strong. Thus, it features his autograph in blue ink and a swatch from the jersey he wore during the 1992 All-Star game.
1. 1986 Fleer #57 Rookie Card
Rarity: Very rare
Features Autograph: Yes
Grading Breakdown: PSA 9 Mint
photo source: Hypebeast
Some might not agree that the 1986 Fleer #57 Rookie card is at the top of the rarest Michael Jordan cards. But a rare, autographed copy is selling for three million dollars at the Six Rings – Legacy of the GOAT auction dedicated to Michael Jordan. According to Hypebeast, the owner acquired the card in 2006.
Those who pulled a Fleer 20th anniversary card were able to send the card in for a signed rookie from Jordan. It is among the 14 graded cards but is more valuable because it’s in Gem Mint condition.
The Takeaway
Michael Jordan collectibles and memorabilia have always been valuable, but their importance has increased after The Last Dance documentary. Movies and TV shows were people’s favorite escape during the pandemic lockdowns, and millions enjoyed watching unaired footage of Jordan’s life and career.
That also renewed the interest in vintage items, including trading cards. Even though collectors can find numerous Michael Jordan cards, the most revered are from the 80s and 90s.
Some of these cards and stickers cost millions of dollars, and people go to great lengths to obtain them, even stealing or making fake replicas. But the most valuable Michael Jordan cards are unique, graded, expensive, and very hard to find.
