Michael Jordan Basketball Card Price Guide (1980’s)

Michael Jordan’s basketball cards remain in high demand, even 17+ years after retiring from the NBA.  Due to repeated inquiries from collectors, we decided to put together a comprehensive price guide for Michael Jordan’s basketball cards from the 1980’s.  We figured we would stop there since we’re a vintage card site.  This interactive guide will be updated monthly to reflect current market values. Card values are based on recent auction sales and selling prices from eBay sales.

**Note that these prices were updated on March 5, 2021.  With the market constantly fluctuating, we recommend that collectors search for the latest sales on eBay before trying to assess the value of any Jordan card.

Star Michael Jordan Card Prices

Note that PSA and SGC do NOT grade Star cards. Thus, these values are reflective of the current copies that have been graded by Beckett. 

1984-85 Star – Michael Jordan #101

Many consider the Michael Jordan Star card from the base 1984-1985 set to be Jordan’s true rookie card as it preceded his 1986-87 Fleer issue by two years. Beckett officially labels the #101 Jordan as his ‘XRC’ or extended rookie card because the Star cards were issued in poly bags via either team or subset and not in actual wax packs. The Star #101 Jordan is one of the hobby’s most valuable basketball cards.

Note however that Star was a licensed issuer of NBA cards and was the lone manufacturer of basketball cards from 1983 through 1986.  There are many counterfeits of the #101 Star Jordan, so it is best to opt for a Beckett (BGS) graded copy. Note that BCCG, Beckett’s lower tier grading service has highly inaccurate grades.

Beckett has only graded three (out of 802 total graded) BGS 9.5 (or ‘Gem-Mint’) Jordan cards to date; thus, the value is quite variable. The tough grade was because Star cards had centering and cut issues. Note that BGS has graded only 62 of Jordan’s #101 as a BGS 9 or (‘Mint’), making mint-condition copies of the card quite valuable. 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 802

BGS3	BGS4	BGS5	BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$6,000	$8,000	$10,000	$11,000	$12,000	$15,000	$30,000	$40,000	$75,000+	$150,000+

1984-85 Star – Michael Jordan #195 (Gold Medalist)

This Michael Jordan ‘1984 Gold Medalist’ card is one of the two additional Jordan cards from 1984 to 1985, aside from the ‘XRC #101’.  Since it is not a base card from the set, most do not consider this or the #288 ‘Rookie-Of-The-Year’ card a Jordan RC or XRC card. 

The Gold Medalist Jordan actually came as the top card in one of the polybags, with Jordan #288 from the same set at the bottom of the bag. Above, as shown, is a graded example of a polybag. Note that due to its placement at the top of the bag, the condition is an issue, as is centering, which plagues many of the Star cards.

Beckett to date has graded ZERO (out of 727 total graded) BGS 9.5 (or ‘Gem-Mint) Jordan cards, thus the value is to date unknown.. BGS has only graded 2 of the BGS 9 (or Mint) cards, thus this is a much tougher card to find in mint condition than the #101 XRC.  

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 727

BGS3	BGS4	BGS5	BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9
$2,000	$3,000	$3,500	$4,000	$5,000	$7,500	$15,000	$40,000	$80,000+

1984-85 Star – Michael Jordan #288 (Rookie Of Year)

This Michael Jordan ‘Rookie-Of-The-Year’ card is one of the two additional Jordan cards in 1984-1985 set aside from the ‘XRC #101’.  As noted above, since it is not a base card from the set, most do not consider this or the #288 ‘Rookie-Of-The-Year’ card as a Jordan RC or XRC card. 

Also, as noted above, the ROY card was the card issued at the bottom of the polybags, with the Jordan #195 from the same set at the top of the bag. Here’s a graded example of a polybag with the #288 at the back of the bag.  Condition is an issue with this card as well due to its placement at the back of the polybag:

Beckett has only graded 431 copies of the #288 card, making it the hardest to find of the three cards from the set.  Like #195, Beckett has graded ZERO Gem-Mint (or BGS 9.5) copies and only 6 of the Mint (BGS 9) cards.  Despite the relative scarcity versus #195, the pricing between the two cards is fairly comparable.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 431

BGS3	BGS4	BGS5	BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9
$1750	$2000	$2500	$4000	$6500	$8000	$10,000	$20,000	$35000+

1984-85 Star – Michael Jordan Court Kings 5×7 #26

This Michael Jordan ‘Court Kings’ card is one of the 50 cards in this oversized (5×7) Star cards subset. It features Jordan in one of his best card poses for any card printed in the 1980s. The photo was taken at the 1985 NBA All-Star game. The card lacks the popularity of his earlier base card issues, mostly because ‘Court Kings’ was a Star subset and it was oversized.  

Still, it remains the scarcest card from the 84-85 Star issues, making it a relative value compared to Jordan’s other Star cards. Condition is less of a problem than with the other 84-85 Star Jordan issues, as Beckett has graded 16 Gem-Mint (or BGS 9.5) copies. The Court Kings were issued as two separate issues—one polybag with yellow-colored cards (cards #1-25) and the other with blue cards (cards #26-50, including the Jordan card).

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 366

BGS3	BGS4	BGS5	BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$2000	$3000	$4000	$5000	$6500	$7000	$8000	$9000	$12000	$20,000+

1985-86 Star – Michael Jordan #117

This card, along with the #101 from the prior year set, is considered to be Jordan’s two legit challengers to the 1986 Fleer Jordan card. Both are base card issues, and both were produced prior to Jordan’s Fleer issue. Thus, if you’re looking to target two Jordan Star cards for investment purposes, this would be one of them.

And like the others, it’s much scarcer than Jordan’s Fleer rookie.  Beckett BGS has graded only 446 copies.  Consider that PSA and Beckett have graded over 30,000 Fleer Jordan rookie cards!

One big change, however, is that BGS has graded 177 Gem-Mint (or BGS 9.5) copies!  The card was distributed in much smaller team set bags of seven cards, and despite the Jordan card being on top, the sheet location was optimal. (h/t Basketball Gold)

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 446

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5	BGS10
$3,500	$4,000	$5,000	$7,000	$10,000	$15,000	$35,000+

Beware the ‘Type II’ Reprints of the Jordan #117 Card

In the early 1990s, some former Star employees got their hands on some scrap/reject cards from the 1985-1986 set.  These ‘Type II’ cards, as they are known, are considered to be counterfeits.  It is important to note that these cards were part of a 100-card sheet and only included the second series run from the 85-86 set (or cards 95-172).  Thus, this includes the Jordan #117 card–along with the Green Celtics 8 card set, the Jordan 10 card set, and the Best Of The New 4 card set.

To tell the difference between a ‘Type II’ and an authentic Jordan card, collectors have to look at the back edges and look for a red color bleed into the back of the cards, which is prevalent in the original issue.  The Type II cards have no color bleed on the back edges and are brighter with more gloss on the front. 

1985 Star – Michael Jordan Crunch ‘N’ Munch All-Stars #4

One of Star’s first 1985 subset issues was an 11-card ‘Crunch N’ Munch’ set that featured cards of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, and Michael Jordan.  Jordan was not the first card in the polybag for this set. Thus, better condition cards are easier to find than others (notably the #195 and #288).  BGS has graded 21 Gem Mint (BGS 9.5) copies.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 326

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$2000	$3000	$4000+	$8,000+	$15,000+	$50,000+

1985 Star – Michael Jordan Lite All-Stars #4

Another subset from Star was issued as a 13-card set and utilized the same photos from the Crunch N’ Munch issue. Note there are a few minor variations between the two cards (known in the hobby as #4 and #4a), with the most noticeable being the cropping of the photo.  However, both cards are believed to have a similar print run, and there is no premium associated with one versus the other.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 484

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$1500	$2000	$2500	$3500	$6000	$10,000+

1985 Star – Michael Jordan Gatorade Slam Dunk #7

This nine-card set was devoted to the NBA stars who participated in the slam dunk contest. The green borders cause condition sensitivity, although Beckett has graded 49 card copies as Gem Mint (BGS 9.5). 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 561

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$2000	$3000	$3500	$4500	$7500	$25000

1985 Star – Michael Jordan Last 11 ROY’s #1

This Star subset features cards for the last 11 Rookies of The Year, dating from 1974 to 1985. The only other valuable card in the set is Larry Bird, while Jordan is the key feature. BGS has graded 76 Gem Mint (9.5) copies of this card.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 425

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$1000	$1500	$1700	$2000	$2500	$6000

1985 Star – Michael Jordan All-Rookie Team (“ART”) #2

This Star subset features cards for 11 top rookies from the 1984-1985 season.  One notable oddity is that Alvin Robertson’s card says ‘Star ’86’ in the top right corner, whereas the other ten cards in the set say ‘Star ’85’.  Jordan’s All-Rookie card is tough to find in nice condition–as BGS has only graded 3 Gem Mint (9.5) copies. 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 401

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$2000	$3000	$3500	$5000	$7500	$10,000+

1985 Star Slam Dunk Supers 5×7 #5

Another oversized (5×7) from Star features Jordan in one of his best card photos of all time.  This one has one of the highest-graded populations at Beckett for all of Jordan’s Star cards.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 652

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$2000	$2500	$3400	$4000	$5500	$40,000+

1985 Star Slam Dunk Team Supers 5×7 #1

This is the team card from the Slam Dunk set that features Jordan. Only 8 Gem Mint copies have been graded by BGS.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population:  383

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$1000	$1500	$1750	$1900	$3000	$4000

1985 Star – Michael Jordan Team Supers 5×7 Chicago Bulls #1

Slightly harder to find than his Slam Dunk super and an uglier picture.  Part of a 40-card set. 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 383

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$1000	$2000	$3000	$3500	$5000	$9,000+

1986 Star – Michael Jordan Court Kings #18

This 33-card subset features Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Charles Barkley. Based on availability, year, and appearance, it is probably one of the least desirable Jordan Star cards.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 633

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$1500	$1800	$2000	$2500	$3000	$8500+

1986 Star – Michael Jordan Best of the New #2

The Star Best of The New/Best of The Old subset featured four older players (Jabbar, Erving, Gervin, and Walton) and four newer up-and-coming players (Jordan, Ewing, Olajuwon, and Sampson).  

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 534

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$1250	$1500	$2500	$3500	$4500	$6500+

1986 Star – Michael Jordan – 10 Card Set

A ten-card Jordan subset with roughly equal existing population across the ten cards.  The cards each cover a different theme with Jordan–for example, there is an ‘Olympian’ card, a ‘Rookie of the Year’ card, and a ‘The Future’ card as shown below.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 450 (average across the ten cards)

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$600	$800	$1000	$1500	$2000	$2500+

WARNING – WATCH OUT FOR TYPE II’s on the Best Of The New and Jordan 10 Card Set

As discussed with the second series of the 1985-86 Star set, a 100-card sheet (which included the Best Of The New and Jordan 10 Card subsets) was fraudulently released into circulation. If buying these cards, opt for graded BGS copies.  

1986 Star – Michael Jordan Star Best of the Best #9

The Jordan Best of the Best card uses the same image as his ‘Best of The New’ card, yet with darker blue borders. Despite its lower-than-average population, it’s among the least popular Jordan Star cards. 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 237

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$600	$1000	$1250	$1700	$2500	$3500+

Fleer Michael Jordan Card Prices

**Note that BGS grades have been used for pricing but are mostly equal across the three major graders.  Remember BGS 9.5 = PSA 10 or SGC 10

1986-87 Fleer – Michael Jordan #57

The granddaddy of them all, the Jordan Fleer rookie card, is a hobby classic that seems to keep growing in popularity as time passes. It’s interesting to note that Fleer Jordan retains significant pricing power despite the massive abundance of Jordan rookie cards relative to his Star issues.   

Of course, with high demand and interest comes a big counterfeit population. Thus, if you’re looking for a Jordan Fleer rookie, beware the counterfeit Jordan rookie cards. We also have a guide to help distinguish between a real and fake Jordan. 

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC and PSA Graded Population:  ~33,000

PSA 1	PSA 2	PSA 3	PSA 4	PSA 5	PSA 6	PSA 7	PSA 8	PSA 9	PSA 10
$3500	$4000	$4500	$5000	$5800	$6500	$8000	$10,000+	$70,000+	$700,000+

Most Watched Jordan Rookie Cards on eBay

1986-87 Fleer Sticker – Michael Jordan #8

While not technically a rookie card for Jordan, his sticker card from the 86-87 Fleer set remains in high demand and has a lower existing population than his base card.  

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC and PSA Graded Population:  ~20,000

BGS3	BGS4	BGS5	BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$1000	$1500	$2000	$2400	$3000	$4000	$5500	$6500	$10,000+	$100,000+

1987-88 Fleer – Michael Jordan #59

It is widely recognized as Jordan’s second-year issue. It is often not recognized that it has an overall population nearly half that of his ’86 Fleer rookie card, making it scarcer in comparison.  

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC, and PSA Graded Population:  ~18,000

PSA 1	PSA 2	PSA 3	PSA 4	PSA 5	PSA 6	PSA 7	PSA 8	PSA 9	PSA 10
$300	$500	$700	$800	$950	$1200	$1500	$1800	$5600	$50,000+

1987-88 Fleer Sticker – Michael Jordan #2

The second-year sticker of Jordan is actually more limited in population versus the rookie-year card and is plagued by a myriad of condition issues, often miscut and off-center.  

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC and PSA Graded Population:  ~7,700

BGS3	BGS4	BGS5	BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$50	$75	$95	$150	$200	$250	$350	$500	$1000	$10,000+

1988-89 Fleer – Michael Jordan #17

Jordan’s third-year Fleer card is easy to find, with combined population reports nearly $20,000. Condition is not much of an issue either, as PSA has graded over 500 PSA 10 (Gem-Mint) copies of the card.

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC, and PSA Graded Population:  ~19,000

BGS5	BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$50	$100	$150	$200	$300	$400	$550	$9,000+

1988-89 Fleer Sticker – Michael Jordan #7

This one has the lowest population among the 80s Jordan sticker cards, and I’m not 100% sure why.  It might just be that due to the lower value, collectors just haven’t submitted as many of the cards for grading.

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC, and PSA Graded Population:  ~6500

BGS6	BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$40	$80	$100	$150	$250	$550	$8000+

1989-90 Fleer – Michael Jordan #21

With the graded population at over 13,000, this card is widely available and was likely produced at a much higher rate than any of the prior year’s Fleer sets.  Thus, from a pricing perspective, even a gem-mint-graded version of the ’89 Jordan isn’t worth all that much.

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC, and PSA Graded Population:  ~13,500

BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$50	$100	$200	$300	$1500

1989-90 Fleer Sticker – Michael Jordan #3

Again, a massively produced card that does tend to have more value in higher grades versus the base card from the set.  

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC, and PSA Graded Population:  ~9,000

BGS7	BGS7.5	BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$40	$80	$120	$200	$650	$2000

1989-90 Hoops – Michael Jordan #200

Another massively produced card during the junk era holds little value even in Mint to Gem Mint condition.  I even feel embarrassed to put this one on the site.  This is where the price guide ends!

Total Combined Beckett (BGS), SGC, and PSA Graded Population:  ~12,000

BGS8	BGS8.5	BGS9	BGS9.5
$75	$150	$250	$500+

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about this price guide, please email me at chris@allvintagecards.com.

If you are selling any Jordan Star or Fleer rookies also get in touch, we might be buying.