In the frenetic world of sports card collecting, where flashy and exorbitantly priced rookie cards reign supreme, the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan card has been quietly working its way up the collector’s ladder. It may not carry the auspicious title of being a rookie card like its more illustrious 1986 Fleer counterpart, nor does it boast a staggering price tag requiring a second mortgage. However, for those collectors who value both nostalgia and fiscal pragmatism, the 1989 Fleer #21 is becoming a card to watch.
This card doesn’t come with celebrity headlines or gimmicky novelties. Instead, it showcases a serene and confident Michael Jordan at the pinnacle of his basketball prowess during the late 1980s, a time when the world was just starting to witness the meteoric rise of the Chicago Bulls dynasty. Its recent increase in value, though perhaps more subtle than sensational, has been notable. In 2021, a pristine PSA 10 version of this card was fetching about $1,001. As market dynamics played out, that figure grew to $1,200 by June 2025, marking a 20% upward swing.
This isn’t the sort of percentage gain that sends shockwaves through the collector community or lights up trading forums with fervent discussions. But, quiet and unobtrusive as it may be, it’s significant enough to catch the discerning eye. In the realm of collecting, there’s a certain allure in the dependable and the less volatile—and the 1989 Fleer Jordan has been doing just that, mingling stability with the mystery of vintage appeal.
According to Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the watchdog of card authenticity and quality, there exist approximately 1,240 PSA 10s and over 11,000 PSA 9s of the ‘89 Fleer Jordan card. While these numbers might initially suggest an abundance, the market demand appears to have become an unstoppable force, reinforcing the card’s appeal. Collectors, perhaps fatigued by the relentless pursuit of scarcity, are realizing they don’t need to gamble their children’s college fund on a single card.
A surprising catalyst for the card’s surge has been the market activity surrounding raw, or ungraded, copies. In 2022, these could be snagged for a mere $6. Fast-forward to the ever-surprising marketplace of today where they are exchanging hands for an average of $20. This is quite the jump—a trifecta blazing upward—and it doesn’t require the frills of an exclusive league promo or reflect an ultra-rare insert. It is simply the undeniable influence of owning a piece of basketball history, however straightforward it may seem on the surface.
The reasons behind this newfound affection for the 1989 Fleer Jordan are multifaceted. High grading fees, which have become a collector’s nemesis, have nudged enthusiasts toward already slabbed cards, wherein the grading costs have been amortized. Then there is the innate, undefeated appeal of nostalgia—a sentimental yearning that pervades the collecting hobby, hailing from the basketball days when short shorts were the norm and the three-point line was merely a novelty.
Moreover, amidst the perennial chase after groundbreaking sports cards bearing rookie card providence, the 1989 Fleer’s stable price evolution offers a refreshing deviation from the ordinary. There’s solace in acquiring a Jordan card that doesn’t strain fiscal thresholds, yet still packs the same historical punch.
Instead of competing for attention by featuring an audacious dunk over a famous opponent or a sparkling gold foil design, this card presents MJ in understated splendor, as he maneuvers through hardwood battles with the precision and dexterity that would etch him into basketball folklore. Produced during the crescendo of the Bulls mania, it’s an embodiment of sensible investment choice for collectors besieged by the cacophonous noise of more hyped cards.
If pursuing avenues for reliable value appreciation intrigues you, and you have grown weary of the usual high-profile suspects, the 1989 Fleer might just be the card to delve into. Michael Jordan never needed a rookie title to dominate the basketball court; similarly, this particular Fleer incarnation doesn’t require a spotlight to offer its owners respectable gains. Just like the man himself, it continues to make an impact even when you least expect it.