Michael Jordan Basketball Card Price Guide (1980’s)

Michael Jordan's basketball cards remain in high demand, even 17+ years following his retirement 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.  Since we're a vintage card site, we figured we would stop there.  This is an interactive guide and 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 asses 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

The Michael Jordan Star card from the base 1984-1985 set is considered by many 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 due to the fact that 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 circulating of the #101 Star Jordan, so best to opt for a Beckett (BGS) graded copy. Note that BCCG, Beckett's lower tier grading service has highly inaccurate grades.

Beckett to date has only graded three (out of 802 total graded) BGS 9.5 (or 'Gem-Mint) Jordan cards, thus the value is quite variable. The reason behind the tough grade is due to the fact that Star cards were plagued with centering and cut issues.  Note that BGS has graded only 62 of the Jordan's #101 as a BGS 9 or ('Mint'), making mint condition copies of the card quite valuable. 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 802

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

This Michael Jordan '1984 Gold Medalist' card is one of the two additional Jordan cards in the 1984-1985 set 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 as a Jordan RC or XRC card. 

The Gold Medalist Jordan actually came as the top card in one of the polybags with the 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 it's placement at the top of the bag, 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

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 the 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 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 the #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 the #195, the pricing is fairly comparable between the two cards.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 431

1984-85 Star - Michael Jordan Court Kings 5x7 #26

This Michael Jordan 'Court Kings' card is one of the 50 cards in this over sized (5x7) Star cards subset and features Jordan in one of his best card poses for any card printed in the 1980's.  The photo was taken at the 1985 NBA All-Star game. The card lacks the popularity of his earlier base card issues, mostly due to the fact that 'Court Kings' was a Star subset and that it was over sized.  

Still, it remains the scarcest card from the 84-85 Star issues, making it a relative value versus Jordan's other Star cards. Condition is less of a problem versus 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 bag with blue cards (cards #26-50 which includes the Jordan card).

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 366

1985-86 Star - Michael Jordan #117

This card along with the #101 from the prior year set are 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 as compared to Jordan's Fleer rookie.  Beckett BGS has graded only 446 copies.  Consider that PSA and Beckett alone have graded over 30,000 Fleer Jordan rookie cards!

One big change however as 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

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 of course Michael Jordan.  Jordan was not the first card in the polybag for this set, thus, better condition cards are easier to find than some others (notably the #195 and #288 cards).  BGS has graded 21 Gem Mint (BGS 9.5) copies.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 326

1985 Star - Michael Jordan Lite All-Stars #4

Another subset from Star that 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 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

1985 Star - Michael Jordan Gatorade Slam Dunk #7

This nine card set was devoted to the NBA stars that participated in the slam dunk contest.  The green borders are reason for condition sensitivity although Beckett has graded 49 copies of the card as Gem Mint (BGS 9.5). 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 561

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 card of value in the set is Larry Bird, while of course the Jordan is the key feature of the set.  BGS has graded 76 Gem Mint (9.5) copies of this card.

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 425

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

This Star subset features cards for 11 top rookie 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

1985 Star Slam Dunk Supers 5x7 #5

Another oversized (5x7) from Star that 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

1985 Star - Michael Jordan Team Supers 5x7 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

1986 Star - Michael Jordan Court Kings #18

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

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 633

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

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)

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

The Jordan Best of the Best card uses the same exact image from his 'Best of The New' card yet with darker blue borders.  Despite it's lower than average population, it's one of the least popular Jordan Star cards. 

Total Beckett (BGS) Graded Population: 237

Fleer Michael Jordan Card Prices

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

1986-87 Fleer - Michael Jordan #57

The grand daddy of them all, the Jordan Fleer rookie card is a hobby classic, one that seems to keep growing in popularity as time moves on. It's interesting to note that the Fleer Jordan retains significant pricing power even 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 looking for a Jordan Fleer rookie, beware the counterfeit Jordan rookie cards.  We also have come up with a guide to help distinguish between a real and fake Jordan. 

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

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 actually has a lower existing population versus his base card.  

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

1987-88 Fleer - Michael Jordan #59

Widely recognized as Jordan's second year issue.   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

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

1988-89 Fleer - Michael Jordan #17

Jordan's third year card from Fleer is quite easy to find with combined population reports near a total of $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

1988-89 Fleer Sticker - Michael Jordan #7

Among the 80's Jordan sticker cards, this one has the lowest population, and I'm not 100% certain why.  It might just be that due to the lower value, collector's just haven't submitted as many of the cards for grading.

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

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

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

1989-90 Hoops - Michael Jordan #200

Another massively produced card during the junk era that 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

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

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