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Mess with the bull, you get the horns — mess with the most valuable Michael Jackson trading cards and you’ll find a hoard of angry collectors at your door. Debatably the greatest player in basketball history, Michael Jordan’s name always draws a crowd when it pops up in an auction listing. And while we don’t have a spare six figures lying around to nab our own, we can admire these expensive cards from afar.
10 Most Valuable Michael Jordan Trading Cards Ever Sold
Thanks to Netflix’s runaway documentary hit, The Last Dance, Michael Jordan’s career and legacy have catapulted into the spotlight once again. Old and new fans alike have flocked to buying and selling his memorabilia with a renewed vigor not seen in years. And while game jerseys and the signed Air Jordans are by far some of the most expensive MJ-related collectibles, you can’t count these valuable basketball trading cards out just yet.
We scoured several auction sites to find the most valuable Michael Jordan trading cards, including Goldin’s past auction lot catalog. Don’t see a card you own on our list? Explore Goldin’s results to see which Michael Jordan cards didn’t make the cut.
1997/98 Upper Deck “Game Jersey” Michael Jordan #GJ13S: $2.052 million
Recently, one Michael Jordan trading card sold at a Goldin Auction and kicked the very same card of a slightly lesser quality which was sold at Heritage Auctions from the top spot. This 1997/98 Upper Deck card was graded a near mint 8 (one point above the previous most expensive MJ trading card).
It comes with both an autograph and a piece of a game-worn jersey. The card is number 21/25, making it a rather rare card. Being in such good condition, it’s no wonder a card from this seminal season would sell for $2.052 million.
1997/98 Metal Universe Michael Jordan #23: $915,000
Heritage Auctions, HA.com
The second most expensive Jordan trading card comes from the 1997 Metal Universe series. Featuring MJ in a dynamic pose on an emerald green background, this card is considered relatively rare since only 100 were made. The industry-standard PSA authenticated the card before it went to auction, which gave it that extra boost to sell for an impressive $915,000.
1986/87 Fleer Michael Jordan #57: $720,000
GilsSportcards / Etsy.com
Without a doubt, Michael Jordan’s Fleer Rookie card from the 1986/87 season is the most valuable of his trading cards on average. Sure, rare 1/1 cards and signed game jersey combos might sell for more individually, but his high-quality Fleer rookies always do well at auction.
For example, one of these rookie cards that has the coveted perfect condition ‘Gem Mint’ status, sold in a Goldin Auctions’ auction for $720,000. These bright cards that feature a photograph of Michael dunking a ball mid-game frequently come up for sale and always stir up a lot of interest.
2000/01 Upper Deck “Game Jersey” Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant #MJKB-A: $516,000
Heritage Auctions, HA.com
Upper Deck is well-known for its rare sports trading cards, like this 2000/01 “Game Jersey” duo card of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Not only does the card have Jordan and Bryant’s signatures, but it also has small pieces from their Bulls and Lakers jerseys. With a perfectly pristine autograph grade and a near-mint condition, this card was always destined to do well.
Yet, Kobe’s tragic death in a 2020 helicopter accident just preceded the card’s sale, which undoubtedly impacted its value. So, just a year after his death this card sold through Heritage Auctions for $516,000.
Related: The Most Valuable Sports & Trading Cards That Paid Out Big Bucks
2003/04 Upper Deck “Exquisite Collection” Emblems of Endorsement Michael Jordan: $511,200
This premium Upper Deck Michael Jordan card from the 2003/04 season comes in at number five on our list. Hailing from the “Exquisite Collection,” only 15 of these cards exist. With an almost perfect grade, a Beckett Grading System 10 (the top grade possible) autograph, and two jersey patches, this card packs a collectible wallop. Of course, a card with so many rare features would sell for $511,200 at auction.
1986/87 Fleer Basketball Stickers Complete Set Including Michael Jordan #8 Rookie: $480,000
Everyone knows the baseball trading card and gum gimmick, but not everyone knows about the various sticker trading cards that have been released over the years. A complete set of Fleer’s 1986/87 season basketball stickers recently came to a Goldin auction.
Within the lot is a covetable Michael Jordan #8 rookie sticker card. Paired with other greats like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, this lot was extremely desirable and sold for just under half a million at $480,000.
1984/85 Star Michael Jordan “UDA Flight School” Signed Rookie #101: $420,000
Fleer wasn’t the only trading card company to release a Michael Jordan rookie card. Star Co. put out their own for the 1984/85 season, and it’s a very collectible card in its own right. Yet, one card with a bright blue authenticated signature stands high above the rest. One lucky collector won this nearly perfect rookie card for $420,000 in a Goldin auction.
1998/99 Upper Deck “Jordan Jersey Autographs” #MJx-GJ: $288,000
Team up a low serial number with a game-worn jersey and an authentic signature and you’ve got one auction-stealing trading card. An Upper Deck Michael Jordan trading card from the 1998/99 season came to a Goldin auction boasting all three and left to the tune of $288,000.
1985 Interlake Michael Jordan Rookie: $228,000
AliSportsCollectible / Etsy.com
According to Goldin Auctions, Michael Jordan’s 1985 Interlake rookie card is a “very scarce, sparsely distributed” trading card with only 162 copies recorded so far. Despite not having any of the bells and whistles that many of the cards on this list have, being in perfect condition and a rare rookie was enough to convince someone to drop $228,000 on it.
2008/09 Skybox Metal Universe Michael Jordan #23: $222,630
SkyBox is one of the many trading card imprints in the game, and they often release highly decorative and electric sports trading cards. They created one spirited card for Michael Jordan’s 2008/09 season. Only 10 of the green backgrounds were made, and #8 recently sold at a Goldin auction. Being in perfect condition and from such a low production run meant this late-career trading card could pull in an impressive $222,630.
Valuable Traits to Look for in Sports Trading Cards
Without a doubt, sports trading cards are some of the longest-lasting collectibles of the 20th century. Interest may wax and wane, but the price tags rarely waver. What makes one card stand out and pull in six figures at auction? Well, there are a few key characteristics to keep your eyes peeled for.
Rookie cards: Famous players’ rookie cards always bring in top dollar. Autographs: Authenticated autographs can turn an average card into a record-breaking one. Jersey cards: Cards that have pieces of game-worn jerseys in them are rare and highly collectible. Low production numbers: Most cards are numbered like so (5/200, 6/20, 1/1, and so on). The lower the last number, the rarer and more valuable the card is.
Cards You Want to Sit Courtside For
Ask anyone to name a basketball player and Michael Jordan is almost always the first one they spit out. He’s not considered the original GOAT for nothing. And thanks to his legendary career, his trading cards are some of the most valuable in the entire category.
