When it comes to trading cards, especially those emblazoned with the legendary Michael Jordan’s image, most enthusiasts immediately place their bets on the 1986 Fleer rookie. This card has long reigned supreme, akin to a royal scepter among basketball cards, casting a formidable shadow over all its kin. While the 1986 Fleer buzz is anything but misplaced, it is high time an often overshadowed relative—the 1989 Fleer #21—steps into the limelight, gaining recognition for being the quiet performer with an appreciable upward trajectory.
Aesthetic simplicity marks the appeal of the 1989 Fleer. It lacks command at first glance but steadily captivates with its subtle charm. In 2021, a PSA 10 of this card was trading hands at a modest $1,001. Contrast that with transactions observed in June 2025, where this gem mint beauty fetched $1,200. Empowering collectors with a tidy 20% gain, the card’s steady ascent demonstrates a valued consistency—a celebrated characteristic in a market swinging wildly with the latest sensations.
An interesting numeral narrative unfolds with the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) figures: about 1,240 PSA 10s and over 11,000 PSA 9s are in circulation. While these might sound like massive numbers, in the realm of Jordan memorabilia, where comma-laden price tags dictate precedence, the market for this card remains buoyant. Collectors, it seems, are recognizing the value beyond jaw-dropping digits—a testament that not every collectible must require a second mortgage to be desirable.
Delving into the trade winds of loose cards—fondly referred to as raw versions—a captivating story unravels. In 2022, these were readily available for a princely sum of six dollars. Blink to the present day, and one must shell out twenty dollars for the same piece. This appreciated value, over threefold the former price, distinguishes the card not as a rare promo or ostentatious insert but as a classic base-era Jordan card—no longer ignored and grabbing its fair share of admirers.
The surge in its popularity can be attributed to a confluence of factors. The contemporary collector is not as driven purely by rarity, given the climbing grading fees. Instead, cards already slabbed hold an alluring convenience. Add to this the nostalgia for the late 1980s basketball era—an epoch when Jordan’s supremacy began manifesting, buoying the Bulls into persistent limelight—the allure beckons powerfully.
The 1989 Fleer carves its niche not by shouting from the rooftops but through measured, charismatic ease. It doesn’t rely on ubiquitous dunks over Ewing or shimmer with a garish gold foil border. Instead, it captures MJ in his prime—a visual emanation of a burgeoning Bulls mania—and it has quietly yet assuredly earned the thinking collector’s choice award.
This card feels like a compelling novel you discover casually one weekend, bettering your Sunday afternoon. While its narrative hasn’t been obsessed over by everyone from collectors to novices with the same frenzied gusto as others, it fosters a bond with those who understand its value. The 1989 Fleer isn’t like a bombastic blockbuster; it hinges on storytelling based on substance—a rarity demanding deeper appreciation.
For aspiring but judicious collectors—those with an acumen for potential value and a longing for long-term gains—this card offers an endearing refuge from the ubiquitous splendor of the standard high. Here lies an investment opportunity marked not simply by past laurels but by the promise of continued appreciation.
Michael Jordan reigned the basketball courts without the necessity of a rookie stamp—his imprint on the sport undeniable and everlasting. Likewise, the 1989 Fleer embodies his essence beyond the constraints of celebrity card symbolism. Far from being the loudest card in the room, it subtly assures steady gains for its beholders. The overlooked yet endearing companion to the acclaimed 1986 Fleer rookie is finally stepping up for its deserved applause, proving its worth to the appreciative eye.
