Two 1986 Michael Jordan Rookie Cards Sell for a Record-Setting $738K USD Each at Auction

After a month, the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card officially has a new record price. Just this past weekend, two cards appeared on the market, both identical with a Gem Mint PSA 10 grading, selling at $738,000 USD each at Goldin Auctions.

Though record-setting prices have been a norm in the trading card realm lately, it is the level of the surge that is most notable with the Michael Jordan cards. The card has jumped more than $500K USD from less than a month ago. A recent PSA 10 Jordan rookie card only went for $217,000 USD on January 3, while another closed at $211,560 USD back in December 2020. In December 2019, the same card, the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card would have only been worth around $32,000 USD.

Over the years, more than 18,000 Michael Jordan rookie cards have been submitted into PSA, however, there are only currently 316 cards that have received a Gem Mint 10 grading. To put it into perspective, 11,500 copies of the specific Chicago Bulls rookie card has been sent to Beckett Grading. Amongst those, only six received the pristine 10 grading.

It is important to mention that it is especially tough for the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball cards to receive a perfect 10 grading due to its major issue with centering. Its red corners are also extra susceptible to damage.

Pair of 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Cards Sell for Record-Setting $738,000 Each Last Night at @GoldinAuctions https://t.co/FcoU5Cbj2F pic.twitter.com/3gCL1xzuWp

— Beckett Media (@beckettmedia) January 31, 2021

In case you missed it, Tom Brady’s autographed rookie card sold for $556K USD.