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While all eyes tend to lock onto the iconic 1986 Fleer rookie card, another Michael Jordan gem has been slowly creeping up the value charts—and it's doing so without the flashy headlines. The 1989 Fleer #21 might not have the same rookie glow, but collectors in the know have started to take notice.

For years, this card has flown under the radar as a budget-friendly option for MJ fans who want a little slabbed greatness without auctioning off a kidney. But lately? Prices are telling a different story.

Take the PSA 10 version, for example. Back in the summer of 2021, these minty-fresh copies were pulling in about $1,001. Now, as of mid-2025, they’re hovering around $1,200—a 20% jump. It’s not a moonshot, but in a hobby filled with boom-and-bust cycles, that kind of consistency is a collector’s dream.

PSA’s population report shows this card isn’t exactly scarce—there are 11,492 PSA 9s and 1,240 PSA 10s floating around—but demand keeps climbing. It’s a clear sign that collectors are gravitating toward more attainable pieces of Jordan’s cardboard legacy.

And the raw copies? Even hotter. Back in early 2022, you could scoop one up for $5.99 without thinking twice. Fast forward to this month, and those same ungraded cards are pushing $20—a 3X increase. Not too shabby for a card once ignored in bargain bins.

So what’s behind this sudden appreciation? A few things. For starters, there’s been a growing appetite for Jordan-era cards beyond the rookie years. Combine that with PSA’s pricier bulk grading fees, and collectors are choosing wisely when it comes to what they grade—and what they buy graded. The result: more attention on clean, late-'80s Jordan cards with room to grow.

Whether you’re flipping through top loaders at your local card shop or digging through boxes at a flea market, don’t sleep on this one. The 1989 Fleer Jordan might just be the most slept-on card in your collection—and it’s not going to stay that way for long.