Top 10 Michael Jordan cards for collectors

It stands to reason that the most iconic name of all time in basketball has some of the most iconic trading cards of all time.

Michael Jordan transcended the NBA with his six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs and 11 All-NBA Team nods. He turned the Chicago Bulls into a dynasty in the 1990s and a storied franchise.

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Air Jordan cards have always been highly sought after — especially rare, numbered varieties — but they hit their peak after “The Last Dance” documentary miniseries aired in April 2020. Jordan cards spiked and his 1986 Fleer rookie in a PSA 10 sold for a record $738,000 in January 2021. As of the end of September 2023, there have been 320 PSA 10s graded out of more than 23,000 Jordan rookie cards submitted.

Even though Jordan hasn’t played basketball in two decades, interest in his cards never waver.

Jordan base cards from his 15-year NBA career can be valuable, especially from his first couple years in the league. But it’s the numbered Jordan autographed and patch cards that fetch the highest prices.

Upper Deck has held an exclusive license for Jordan authenticated collectibles and cards for more than 30 years. The company has put out some amazing Jordan autographed and patch cards for years. In fact, of the top 10 Jordan cards on this list, five are from Upper Deck releases. That includes two of the most quintessential Jordan cards of all time.

Let’s take a look at 10 of Jordan’s most popular and valuable cards.

1997-98 Upper Deck “Game Jersey” GJ13S

It doesn’t get much rarer for a Jordan card than his 1997 Upper Deck “Game Jersey.” It features a game-worn patch with an autograph and numbered to 23 — his jersey number with the Bulls.

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The card features Jordan scanning the defense with a ball in his left hand. There’s a smaller image of MJ putting up a jump shot near his beautifully-crafted signature.

With only 23 of these cards in existence, it’s highly coveted by collectors. On rare occasions when one comes up for auction, it garners high bucks.

An example of this card numbered 6/23 in a Beckett Grading Service NM-MT 8 with an 8 autograph sold in October 2021 at Goldin Auctions for $2.7 million.

1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems #23

A rare insert in the 1997-98 Metal Universe set, the Precious Metal Gems have magnificent eye appeal.

There are 100 numbered Jordans for Precious Metal Gems — the first 10 cards come in green foil, and the other 90 are in red foil.

The low number in the print run makes them extremely rare. Since they are prone to flaking and chipping, finding them in good condition can be difficult. It’s an exceptional product released by Skybox.

In December 2020, a green version of the Jordan card sold on eBay for $915,000.

1986 Fleer #57

This could be the most recognizable basketball card in existence.

Even though Jordan’s rookie card in the 1986 Fleer release was produced during the Junk Wax era where the card market was oversaturated with product, this card bucks the trend of being a valuable commodity.

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Prior to “The Last Dance,” Jordan’s rookie in a PSA 10 could be purchased for between about $20,000-$30,000. The miniseries during the 2020 COVID pandemic made this rookie card jump by nearly 25 times.

With the red, white and blue border, the Jordan Fleer rookie is susceptible to soft corners and off-centered examples are common as well. However, even these rookies in rough shape graded PSA 1 can astonishingly fetch $2,000.

Counterfeits of this card are ubiquitous, so collectors need to do their due diligence before pulling the trigger and making a purchase.

2000 Upper Deck Jordan/Kobe Bryant (Game Jerseys Combo 2) #MJKB-A

This card features two of the top players from the past 40 years and two of the best players in NBA history.

With an action shot, jersey swatch and autograph of both Jordan and Bryant, it’s a dream card for any NBA fan.

There are only 10 of these cards in existence, so it makes it one of the toughest Jordan autographs.

“It is the single most desirable card one could pull from the issue based upon player combination and rarity, considered ‘The Godfather of Dual-Swatch Auto Cards,’” Heritage Auctions noted when it sold a BGS NM-MT 8.5 with a 10 auto numbered #06/10 for $516,000 in April 2021. “It’s also the iconic pair’s first joint signing of any trading card.”

1986 Fleer Sticker #8

For anyone that can’t afford to purchase a 1986 Fleer Jordan base rookie, this sticker card from that same set is a good second option.

This card shows a young Jordan driving the baseline with his tongue sticking out. Patented Jordan.

With only 11 cards in the sticker set from 1986, there were pretty good odds of pulling a Jordan out of a pack.

There are just 123 examples of PSA 10s for this card. Prices exploded during “The Last Dance” as one PSA 10 sold for $234,000 through Goldin Auctions in mid-February 2021.

2002-03 Upper Deck NBA Logo Mania Michael Jordan Logoman Autograph #MJ2NBA

Before the LeBron and Luka Logoman craze, there was the MJ Logoman in the 2002-03 Upper Deck NBA Logo Mania product.

In fact, Upper Deck released three MJ Logoman cards in that series. Each one features a game-worn patch, Jordan’s stunning autograph and 1/1 handwritten in blue Sharpie.

One of those 1/1 Jordan cards hit the auction block in August 2019 — a BGS Gem Mint 9.5 — and sold for $204,000.

Since these cards are so rare, they are extremely desirable amongst collectors.

1984-85 Star #101

From 1982-1985, there were no major brands producing NBA cards. In stepped Star.

With Michael Jordan’s rookie year falling in that window, Star had the exclusive to offer the first officially licensed Jordan trading cards.

In its 1984-85 release, Star put out four Jordan cards, with No. 101 designated as his true rookie card from the company.

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For the longest time, the consensus amongst collectors was that the Jordan Star card is not truly his rookie — it’s the 1986 Fleer since it’s a major brand. However, since “The Last Dance,” collectors have come around and the Star cards — especially No. 101 — are highly sought after.

With its red border, this card can be tough to find in gem-mint condition.

2003-04 Exquisite Collection #3

Exquisite always puts out an unbelievable product, and the 2003-04 release is no different.

Jordan’s base card is numbered to 225. The card features a jagged cut photo of Jordan sizing up his defender. The white borders make the image really pop.

There aren’t many Jordan base cards that garner a premium price, but this example is certainly one that’s the cream of the crop.

2000-01 Ultimate Collection Ultimate Signatures Gold #MJ-G

Another simple but beautiful looking Upper Deck high-end card, Jordan’s 2000-01 Ultimate Collection Ultimate Signatures Gold is highly desired.

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The card is numbered to 25 with Jordan’s autograph in blue ink.

An SGC 9 sold at Heritage Auctions for $28,800 in July 2021.

1998 Skybox Molten Metal Fusion – Titanium #41

This card — released the same year as Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth NBA title — is a different look than most Jordans. The titanium makes it pop and its serial-numbered to 40 makes it rare.

A PSA 10 example sold through Goldin Auctions in January 2021 for $369,000.

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