In the captivating realm of sports card collecting, a quiet contender emerges from the shadows—the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan card, slyly gaining momentum without the glare of spotlights typically reserved for its illustrious cousins. While everyone continues to chatter on about the 1986 Fleer rookie card like it’s the Mona Lisa of sports collectibles, those in the know are diverting their eyes ever so slightly towards a less lauded but surprisingly rewarding alternative.

For the uninitiated, the 1986 Fleer rookie card is not only iconic; it’s the holy grail for any self-respecting basketball card collector. Crowned king without so much as a royal challenger, it’s been the centerpiece of many a collection. Yet, for those whose wallets are not endowed with the fullness required to secure this cardboard royalty, there’s the 1989 Fleer #21—a misfit that’s slowly muscling its way into the cognizance of collectors.

What makes the 1989 rendition noteworthy is its quiet resilience in the world of sports card trading. While the masses have fixated on the superstar rookie, this less celebrated sibling has been quietly appreciating. Back in 2021, getting your hands on a pristine PSA 10 copy meant parting with around $1,001. Fast forward to June 2025, and that very card commands an impressive $1,200. It may not be telethon-worthy, but for the savvy collector, it spells a tidy 20% increase.

The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) estimates around 1,240 PSA 10s exist, with over 11,000 PSA 9s in circulation. To the untrained eye, those numbers hint at a glut, yet demand refuses to wane. Collectors, seasoned and green alike, are quickly discovering that they don’t need triple-seated figures all adorned with commas to own a piece of Michael Jordan’s legacy.

What’s perplexing, yet delightfully so, is the surge in raw copies. In 2022, this card was a throwaway affair—yours for merely six dollars. Now? You’d better be prepared to shell out twenty. That’s more than threefold the growth, and not due to some dazzlingly rare variant, but merely a straightforward, back-to-basics card that once blended into oblivion.

So, what’s propelling this rise from the dust? A cocktail of factors, undoubtedly. Rising grading fees have collectors eyeing cards already encased in protective slabs; there’s a yearning for the nostalgic vibes of late ’80s hoops, and the allure of owning a Jordan without the financial nosedive remains tempting.

The 1989 Fleer is not straining to be the gaudiest card at the gala. There’s no airship-saving maneuver captured or opulent gold foil caressing the borders. Instead, it presents a snapshot of MJ in his majestic prime, captured during the Bulls mania crescendo—a period that, in retrospect, seems halcyon yet heralds every bit the collector’s piece.

For those incited by value and long-term potential, this card offers a unique proposition—an escape from the hackneyed habit of chasing only the most venerated relics. Jordan may not have donned the rookie crown on-court with this card, but the 1989 Fleer #21 outpaces its fanfare-free silhouette with steady gains.

Its quiet ascent serves as a reminder: a resilient and thoughtfully collected lineup can feature both crown jewels and humble workhorses. The 1989 Fleer Jordan card stands as a testament to the philosophy that in the collecting game, sometimes the quieter sibling nets the last laugh. For every high-profile rookie contender glistening under the hobby’s overarching spotlight, there lies a hidden gem, awaiting discovery by those with eyes keen enough to spot it.

1989 Fleer Michael Jordan