In the world of card collecting, the name Michael Jordan is synonymous with both nostalgia and investment. Most aficionados and die-hard collectors find their attention laser-focused on the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, often hailed as the holy grail of modern basketball cards. But while the hobby’s elite jostle to possess the legendary rookie, there’s another member of the Fleer family steadily garnering attention and respect. The 1989 Fleer #21 Michael Jordan card is the understated cousin who’s been quietly carving out its own niche, proving that some cards don’t need to shout from the rooftops to make a splash.
Let’s take a comforting trip back to 2021, a time when the world seemed a bit less chaotic, at least in terms of collecting. Anyone with aspirations of owning a pristine 1989 Fleer Jordan #21 could do so with a wallet dent of approximately $1,001 for a PSA 10. Fast forward to June 2025, and you’ll find that same piece of objectively handsome cardboard fetching a cool $1,200—a steady 20% increase. In a marketplace often characterized by meteoric rises and heartbreaking crashes, this subtle yet predictable growth feels almost refreshingly stable.
For those not buried in thick stacks of Beckett magazines or poring over auction sites into the wee hours, it may come as a surprise that the PSA reports around 1,240 PSA 10s and over 11,000 PSA 9s exist of the 1989 Fleer Jordan card. Despite these substantial numbers fluttering in circulation, demand remains robust. Collectors who’d prefer not to part with their left kidney for their next acquisition find solace in its affordability and the notion that not every investment-worthy Jordan card needs to require bank loan-sized capital.
If you’ve been wondering what phenomena have breathed life into the legacy of this once underappreciated card, it seems several stars have aligned. Start with rising grading fees, those notorious gatekeepers preventing bargain acquisitions from jeopardizing their future value. More collectors lean towards cards that arrive neatly encased and graded, avoiding the pricier risk of getting their hands dirty in the self-grading game. Then, there’s the wistful sweet scent of nostalgia—a yearning for those simpler, neon-toned late ’80s days when the Bulls’ dynasty was building and Jordan was painting the courts red and black in dizzying arcs of triumph.
Remarkably, even raw copies have felt the warmth of rising demand. It’s hard to fathom that in the halcyon days of 2022, six bucks could procure this piece of history. Alas, those simpler times have shifted gears, catapulting the cost to a thrice tripled $20. The magic lies not in rarity or exclusive features, but in a solid, bona fide slime of Jordan-era cardboard history that demands recognition.
What truly intrigues about this humble 1989 Fleer Jordan is its character. It doesn’t clamor for attention with gold foil grandeur or dunk-tastic imagery. Instead, it stands as an emblem of a prime-era Jordan basking in the conquest of burgeoning Bulls fandom. Its appeal is perhaps that of a calculating choice—steady, reliable, and a testimony to the thinking collector in all of us.
For those in search of an avenue less trodden or shifting their focus away from the typical leitmotif, this could be the opportunity to embark on a new journey. Consider it a salute to those who favor strategic, long-term growth over sporadic trends. Just as Michael Jordan needed no rookie status to elevate the game, the 1989 Fleer doesn’t require a gilded spotlight to prove its worth.
In the realm of collectables, where stories woven through pieces of card captivate our imaginations and sometimes our bank accounts, the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan card enchants with the subtle note of rising value. Whether pursued for investment, nostalgia, or simply love of the game, it offers a rich tapestry of possibilities deserving of attention. As the hobby continues its rhythm into the future, don’t be surprised to find this forgotten card vividly dancing its way into the heart of collections worldwide. A gracious, humble protagonist, much like Jordan himself.
