Perfect Michael Jordan Rookie Card sells for $100,000

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By Chris Olds | Basketball Editor

A Pristine copy of Michael Jordan‘s 1986-87 Fleer Rookie Card sold for six-figures in a Memory Lane Inc. sale Sunday evening.

The card, graded a 10 by Beckett Grading Services, fetched $100,000 in the Tustin, Calif.-based auction house’s Own it Now sale, which launched not long before the sale.

There are just three copies of the famed card graded as a BGS 10 out of more than 5,500 cards submitted. This particular copy was the first to receive the grade and once appeared on the cover of Beckett Basketball Card Plus, now Beckett Basketball, magazine. The card sold to a collector on the West Coast.

“It was the first time we had the opportunity to sell the card, and we are really happy with the sale,” said Stephanie Evans of Memory Lane. “It’s a landmark modern sale for us, and it just goes to show that when you have something as rare as a Beckett 10 come available, the demand still warrants six figures.”

The last known BGS 10 Jordan sale came in August 2009 when a collector paid $82,000 for this same card. It was reportedly sold for $150,000 in 2006. However, that sale never was confirmed. The card’s subgrades included 10s for its centering, edges and corners and a 9.5 for its surface condition.

The first BGS 9.5 copy of the Jordan RC went for $77,600 in a June 2003 deal. The Jordan RC is not the only high-profile BGS 10 of a 1980s icon to sell for big bucks in the last few years as a Joe Montana 1981 Topps RC sold for $65,880 in April 2009. That card carried the third-highest pricetag of any football card sale ever documented by Beckett Media.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

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61 comments

  1. Charlie DiPietro 6 June, 2011 at 16:16

    Beckett Grading is “Number One.” Although I feel that Beckett grades a little harder than I would grade, I find Beckett Grading to be the most consistent of all grading services with respect to their grading standards. With all the bad people out there making fakes, Beckett Grading allows buyers to bid with confidence; and, this insures sellers get top dollar for their cards. I use Beckett Grading and would use no other.
    Charlie DiPietro, Owner
    Sports Cards Plus of San Antonio

  2. Michael Marrufo 7 June, 2011 at 10:51

    I just pick an 86-87 Fleer Jordan up lets hope its as good as this one

  3. Michael Jordan Rookie Card Sells For $100,000 | JordansDaily.com 8 June, 2011 at 11:02

    […] An original pair of Air Jordan 1's might be considered a grail to some Jordan collectors but the holiest of all grails is the Michael Jordan rookie card. Recently, a Jordan rookie card went for $100,000 to a collector on the West Coast which shows how serious some collectors are about acquiring items to showcase. The card itself was rated a perfect 10 on Beckett's grading scale which is universally considered to be the toughest scale out there. Of the 5,500 rookie cards submitted, only three of them were graded a 10 on Beckett's scale. Previously, a collector paid $82,000 for the same card in August 2009. Stick with Jordans Daily for more Jordan memorabilia posts and check out the story in full detail over at Beckett. […]

  4. William Michel 25 November, 2012 at 19:50

    Believe it or not I have the Micheal Jordan rookie card it only been touch by human hand twice someone want this call me or text me this is real 510 688-6640 I from Chicago big Jordan fan

  5. Mike 22 February, 2013 at 19:34

    I used to have A ball card shop, I managed to save one of many
    Jordan rookie cards which I believe to be a 10 along with a first issue
    Beckett basket ball guide signed by Jordan which was authenticated
    By BP sports collectables in Atlanta ga, however I am fearful of mailing
    It in to be graded, is there a safe way to insure you will get the same
    Card back and where do you send to be graded? Please email
    Response

  6. fred hall 24 February, 2013 at 08:51

    would like to know where i could take michael jordan rookie card to get graded?
    Is a beckett place here somewhere in south florida? Thanks Fred Hall

  7. Kevin B 10 March, 2013 at 12:36

    I have an 86-87 Jordan Fleer Rookie card. What can I do with it??? Been HARD cased since opened it!!

  8. wesevans@rocketmail.com 14 April, 2013 at 00:20

    Wanting to buy a Michael Jordan rookie is good shape and grading only up to a 8.5. Can’t afford the 9 or 10 graded Jordan’s.

  9. Robin Olson and Scott Marcucci 28 April, 2013 at 18:29

    Michael Jordan 1985 1-12 Signed Basketball trading card. Napoleon (Larry) Lajoie Value 10,000 1933 Goudey Gum these trading cards amoungst many others are for sale. These Cards belong to Scott Marcucci. He’s looking to sell an entire box of cards all sports. Mobile # is 952-687-1914

  10. norman taylor 8 May, 2013 at 08:26

    my father have michael jordan cards.. binders of them i would like to know how much they are worth

  11. Darius 5 June, 2013 at 12:58

    I have an ’84-’85 Michael Jordan rookie card, and I am willing to sell it. Any buyers?

  12. amanda knowland 8 January, 2014 at 16:48

    I got a Michel Jordan rookie card like to sell it call 1812 528 7555 and if interested in a derek Jeter rookie card ill it for thirty bucks call 1812 820 1712

  13. Dominique Hicks 10 January, 2014 at 06:24

    I have a fleer rookie MJ card still in the see through pack and I’m
    willing to part ways with it. .

  14. Greg 6 March, 2014 at 14:25

    I have this Michael Jordan card in great condition for sale it will be a great deal for someone that wants a MJ rookie call 740-497-8650

  15. Realistic 10 March, 2014 at 01:23

    I cannot believe all the people trying to push their crappy Jordan cards. Ever heard of ebay or amazon? If you really had the real deal, you would sell it the right way and not giving out your phone number to sell some poor fool your crappy card. Either you are desperate for contact, it is fake, or worthless. Sell them at a garage sale because that is what they are worth. The comment board is for comments, not your desperate attempt to rip someone off.

  16. kyle 11 March, 2014 at 07:05

    i have the Michael Jordan Autographed Original Fleer Rookie Card Art il sell it for 24.0000

  17. Ryan 24 March, 2014 at 21:53

    I have this card in flawless condition. Just looking to get rid of it for a good price if anyone is interested. Need it gone soon. Send an email to thatchadwickguy@aol.com ASAP as it will be gone soon! :)

  18. kevin 5 April, 2014 at 17:27

    Card is not perfect. It says so right on the card. Notice the 9.5 sub-grade. Is it worth $100,000? Absolutely not. If it had 4 perfect 10 sub grades then maybe. The card is also not even close to being his rookie as many Star cards were produced prior to the Fleer set. You could say this is his first basketball appearance by the Fleer corporation . This card is misstated in every way. It is neither perfect or the rookie card of Michael Jordan.

  19. Penny 21 August, 2014 at 13:08

    I have a Beckett Basketball Card Magazine issue #1 signed by MJ. Don’t know authenticity, worth or how to find out? Would like to sell.

  20. Jacqueline Kelly 13 September, 2015 at 15:43

    Hello, I just gave this card to my son by fluke. I contacted the buying source and the card was bought for me. It was found in China, no lie, China. I kept the packaging (for a while). I guess I did good. Live and learn. My son is a collector from his youth. As a child he had 3 Michael Jordan rookies in our safe deposit box. He and his chum would go to the Cow Palace in S.F. and buy/trade cards. They were only 16 years old. Both dads owned businesses, guess they were paying attention.

  21. Kathy 24 March, 2016 at 12:33

    I currently own the said stated above. 1986-1987 Fleer rookie Michael Jordan card that’s been sealed in a picture binder and still remains as such.

  22. barry polite 25 April, 2016 at 17:59

    I got a 84-85 upper deck film michael jordan rookie card havent seen no other ones like it yet wish i could post a picure of it

    • Ryan Cracknell 25 April, 2016 at 18:24

      If you send an email to rcracknell@beckett.com, I’ll see what I can do. Upper Deck didn’t release basketball cards until 1991-92 (they didn’t release any cards at all until 1989) so it won’t be a rookie. If you type “Michael Jordan” plus the number on the back, it might show up in the database as well.

  23. JOHN MARONEY 18 October, 2016 at 02:04

    I have A 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 Promotional in Near Mint To Mint condition and I don’t know how to get it graded in Australia and how much its worth can someone please Help me.

  24. sheri 29 November, 2016 at 14:13

    I have had my Michael Jordan rookie card since it was released. I purchased it for my husband at the time for Christmas but never gave it to him. Now, i’m intrested in selling. Does anyone know the best way to start that process? i would have loved to have it signed. Mr. Jordan has family in the town that i live.

  25. C 19 January, 2017 at 19:18

    I have some questions about my card I’ve went to a shop card is authentic signature is real as far as they can tell it’s not perfect shape but it’s good shape. Star 85′ Michael Jordan rookie of the year card the nba card and autographed as well I need to get some info on it please help caikman889@gmail.com

  26. James Mays 17 March, 2018 at 16:21

    I would like to talk to somebody about the Jordan cards I got I don’t know much about them

    • Ryan Cracknell 20 March, 2018 at 06:59

      @James – Your best bet would be to take them to a card shop or show so that someone can look at them properly.

  27. Joey rowell 12 May, 2018 at 21:25

    Yes I bought a storage locker and hit out on three generations of collector’s and I’ve got Mickey Mantle rookie cards pretty much every rookie card from baseball to basketball all your very well-known players I looked up a lot of prices on the cards there they’ve already been grated at 10 and all them in the hard casings they have no scratches Benz all your Corners in perfect condition is there any place you could tell me any store that would buy bulk from me and give me a good price for all of them

  28. Tommy Bessinger 4 August, 2018 at 14:15

    I have a Michael Rookie Card like the one above in the picture. Which grading company is considered the most reputal to send to?
    Thanks in advance.
    Tommy B.
    843-697-2650

    • Ryan Cracknell 9 August, 2018 at 11:59

      @Tommy – If you would like info on Beckett Grading, please check out beckett.com/grading

  29. Marie Ford 2 December, 2018 at 10:13

    I have 3 books of trading cards from 91,92,93 fleer, beckett, topps, etc US Olympics, Baseball, Football and Basketball they are all in plastic single sleeves. Larry Bird, Micheal Jordan, Magic, Pippen, Wilt Chamberlain Walter Payton, Brent Farve, Joe Montana and football coaches. 2 US Olympic sets football play offs by the weeks.

  30. Tony 9 April, 2020 at 16:17

    I have a 1986 Jordan card I’m pretty sure it’s real just trying to find more info out about it

  31. Amber forige 14 December, 2022 at 04:36

    I have a graded 10 michael jordan card 1986 #57 rookie card. In case and I want to sale it similar cards graded 9 or even 8 go for 80,000$-90,000$ so I seen that the card I have is worth 100,000$-150,000$.
    But I read on my card it says “reprint” what does this mean? Is this card still worth what I hope!!! Please get back to me.

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