KEY 1980s CARDS ON THE RISE
If you can’t afford MJ’S 1986-87 Fleer Rookie Card or sticker, these five 1980s cards can be found for under $500 total . . . for now.
1. 1987-88 FLEER #59
Jordan’s second-year Fleer base card can be had for less than $300 in raw form. Centering is the biggest issue since it has well-defined borders. The white part of the border can often look slightly off-white. PSA 8 grades can bring more than $400, and Mint 9s are easily toping $1,200.
PSA 8s: 5,630 BGS 8s: 1,372 PSA 9s: 2,144 BGS 9s: 657
2. 1987-88 FLEER STICKERS #2 MICHAEL JORDAN
This is one of the coolest designs of any 1980s Jordan cards. Fleer’s second sticker set of 11 cards features a patriotic look. The photo of a young, smiling Michael Jordan makes this one of his most eye-catching cards. Since sticker cards were the last in the pack, many have wax residue. Higher-grade versions are low compared to the base card. Grades of Near Mint-mint 8 bring about $200.
PSA 8s: 3,144 BGS 8s: 528 PSA 9s: 603 BGS 9s: 113
3. 1988-89 FLEER #17 MICHAEL JORDAN
This is one of the most commonly graded basketball cards in history, with more than 18,000 total entries in the PSA and BGS population reports. A raw version goes for about $70-$100, and Mint 9 sales top out at a little more than $400.
PSA 8s: 4,836 BGS 8s: 1,105 PSA 9s: 5,221 BGS 9s: 821
4. 1988-89 FLEER #120 AS
Nearing the end of 2020, this All-star card was matching sales prices of Jordan’s 1988-89 base card. It includes perhaps the best photo of any ’80s Jordan card taken at the famed 1988 Slam Dunk Contest when Jordan jumped from the free throw line. Many posters and collectibles have been created featuring the moment, but this seems to be the first.
PSA 8s: 2,815 BGS 8s: 521 PSA 9s: 2,192 BGS 9s: 283
5. 1988-89 FLEER STICKERS #7 MICHAEL JORDAN
Miscutting and off-centering are huge issues with this card, so even Near Mint-mint 8 grades can bring more than $100. Raw sales usually go for less than $30. Grading pop reports are incredibly low compared to the other four cards here, and combined with the centering issues, higher grade versions could increase in value significantly.
PSA 8s: 904 BGS 8s: 101 PSA 9s: 233 BGS 9s: 19