How Many Michael Jordan Rookie Cards Were Printed and What They‘re Worth Today

Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time. His illustrious 15 season career included 6 NBA championships, 6 NBA Finals MVPs, 5 regular season MVPs, 10 scoring titles, and 14 All-Star appearances. Jordan transcended the sport and became a global icon and brand.

It‘s no surprise then that Michael Jordan rookie cards are some of the most sought after and valuable basketball cards in the hobby. In this guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into Michael Jordan‘s key rookie cards from 1984-1986, examining print runs, current values, and what makes them so prized by collectors.

Overview of Key Michael Jordan Rookie Cards

While Jordan debuted in the NBA in the 1984-85 season, he did not have a mainstream rookie card until 1986. Here are the key rookie cards that collectors are after:

• 1986 Fleer Basketball #57 – This is considered Jordan‘s true mainstream rookie card. It was mass produced and readily available compared to his earlier cards.

• 1984 Star Company #101 – Part of a regional set, this is technically Jordan‘s first NBA card. Print run was very limited.

• 1985 Epton #17 – Another scarce regional issue and the first card to picture Jordan in a Bulls uniform.

• 1986 Fleer Stickers #8 – The sticker version of Jordan‘s Fleer rookie. Lower print run than the base card.

Now let‘s take a closer look at each of these key rookie cards, their production numbers, and values.

1986 Fleer Basketball #57

The 1986 Fleer Basketball Michael Jordan rookie card is considered his true rookie card for a couple reasons:

• It was mass produced and distributed nationally compared to earlier regional sets.

• Fleer was one of the big three mainstream trading card manufacturers along with Topps and Donruss.

The Jordan Fleer rookie is part of the historic 1986 Fleer basketball set. Some key notes on production:

• The set includes 132 cards.

• Production estimates range from 40,000 to 60,000 complete sets.

• Based on the set size, total prints of the Jordan card likely exceed 5 million.

As the most plentiful Jordan rookie, it is also the most affordable. Here is a look at the card‘s current value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $75,000 – $150,000

• PSA 9 Mint: $15,000 – $35,000

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $3,000 – $12,000

• Raw/Ungraded: $1,000+ (depending on condition)

There are over 60 PSA 10 Jordan rookies on record along with over 5,000 PSA 9s. Despite relatively high production for the era, finding the card in top grade is very difficult, driving massive premiums for high grade examples.

1984 Star Company #101

The 1984 Star Company basketball set marks Michael Jordan‘s true rookie card – the first card to picture him as an NBA player. However, it‘s also far more scarce than his 1986 Fleer card. Here are some notes on the set:

• Small regional set – cards distributed in bags of Star Company popcorn in the Midwest.

• 132 cards in set (same number as ‘86 Fleer set).

• Believed to have print run in the hundreds (some estimate 600-800 complete sets).

So while Jordan‘s Star rookie has the earliest bragging rights, there are likely less than 100 copies of the card out there compared to millions of 1986 Fleer rookies. Rarity equals value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint (1 graded): $675,000

• PSA 9 Mint (11 graded): $150,000 – $350,000

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint (16 graded): $50,000 – $100,000

Only a single PSA 10 example exists along with just a few dozen PSA 9s. Finding any 1984 Star Jordan rookie in top condition is a momentous occasion in the hobby.

1985 Epton Basketball #17

After releasing his true rookie card in the scarce 1984 Star set, Jordan‘s first nationally branded card appeared in 1985 courtesy of Epton. Some notes:

• Small Chicago-based company that made novelty sports pins and cards.

• This Jordan card is part of a 30 card regional basketball set.

• Believed to have a print run in the hundreds.

The Epton Jordan is also his first card picturing him in a Bulls uniform. Here is a look at its value today:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint (3 graded): $30,000 – $60,000

• PSA 9 Mint (14 graded): $12,000 – $18,000

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint (43 graded): $3,000 – $6,000

Significantly more attainable than the Star rookie but still very rare in PSA 10 condition with just 3 graded copies. High grade examples still fetch 5 figures at auction.

1986 Fleer Stickers #8

Fleer also produced a 33-card sticker set as an insert into their 1986-87 basketball packs. The Jordan sticker is essentially the stickered version of his rookie card. Here are some notes:

• Print run believed to be 30% lower than the base Fleer set based on PSA population data.

• Other than the sticker aspect, photos and design match the base card.

The Jordan Fleer sticker is more condition sensitive – stickers did not hold up as well over time. Values:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint (21 graded): $100,000 – $200,000

• PSA 9 Mint (130 graded): $50,000 – $75,000

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint (411 graded): $15,000 – $25,000

• Raw/Ungraded (depending on condition): $5,000 – $15,000

So while there are more total PSA graded copies than the Star rookie, the population of PSA 10s is significantly smaller at just 21. This has driven PSA 10 prices over $100k.

Why Jordan Rookies Are So Valuable

There are several key factors that make Michael Jordan‘s rookie cards so sought after by collectors:

• GOAT Status – Jordan‘s mythical career and status as the greatest player ever drive huge demand.

• Iconic Photos – The photos on the base Fleer and sticker rookie showcase Jordan‘s incredible leaping ability.

• Condition Rarity – All the key rookies are very condition sensitive with PSA 10s being exceptionally rare.

• Investment Potential – Prices continue to rise as more collectors try acquire Jordan rookies.

Owning a Michael Jordan rookie card puts you in exclusive company amongst sports card collectors. Pristine grade examples have breached 7 figures at auction – a testament to Jordan‘s unmatched legacy. While his rookie cards were mass produced for the time, finding gems today is a monumental challenge that only adds more prestige and value.