Michael Jordan’s basketball cards continue to be the gold standard in the hobby, and they seem to have exploded to new levels in recent years.
But, there are still plenty of hidden gems that deserve more recognition – I’m not saying they’re necessarily cheap, but I think they offer good value, and are often overlooked by some of the more sought-after cards.
Here’s a look at 7 Michael Jordan cards that I think are a bit underrated, plus a bonus 8th card that is popular, but I think still underappreciated.
7 Underrated Jordan Cards
1985 Nike Promo Michael Jordan
I love this card – It encapsulates Jordan perfectly, with an image of him doing the famous Air Jordan pose.
The card can’t be considered rare, but there isn’t a huge supply of copies in the highest grades.
Considering the look of the card, and the significance of it being one of his earliest, it’s a bit underrated, in my opinion. It holds good value, but it’s cheap compared to some of his other earliest cards.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: $13k-$15k
1985 Star Court Kings 5x7 Michael Jordan #26
While the 1985 Star Court Kings card has gained more attention in recent years, I still think it remains a bit overlooked.
The ‘85 Star base card unsurprisingly gets a lot more attention, and holds a lot more value, but I think this offers a cool alternative. It features a great image, and has the significance of being one of his first cards.
Due to its larger format, condition-sensitive nature, and lower print run, it’s a hidden gem from Jordan’s early years.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: N/A
1986 Michael Jordan Fleer Sticker #8
The 1986 Fleer base Jordan rookie gets all the attention, which is fair enough, but this sticker insert from the same set is an underrated alternative, in my opinion.
The design isn’t as nice as the base card, and the fact it’s a sticker might put some collectors off a bit, but there are far fewer graded copies of this one compared with the card, particularly at the highest grades, and yet it’s valued at far less.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: $50k-$55k
READ MORE: The 10 Best Michael Jordan Cards To Collect
1990 Skybox Michael Jordan #41
This one should be instantly recognizable for any collectors who were around at the time that the 1990 Skybox set was released.
The gold bordered, futuristic-looking graphic card designs from the set remain popular today, and it’s an incredible looking Jordan card, but I still don’t think it gets the full appreciation it deserves.
I know the era it was released doesn’t help its value, so we can’t really use that as a measure of its popularity, but a few years ago you could buy a PSA 10 copy of this for less than $40. Values have risen a bit since then, but for me, it’s still an underrated Jordan card.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: $150-$160
1992 Stadium Club Members Only #1
The Beam Team MJ insert is his key card from the 1992 Stadium Club set – It’s a beautiful card, and the Members Only parallel is rare for its era. Understandably, it overshadows the base card, but the members only parallel (of the base card) offers a less expensive alternative to the Beam Team gem
Considering the number of graded copies is similar for both cards, and with the base card still having a great image of Jordan in action, it’s one of his underrated cards, in my opinion.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: $500-$550
1995 Ultra Double Trouble Gold Medallion Michael Jordan #3
This Double Trouble insert from the 1995 Fleer Ultra set is often overlooked but features one of the most electric Jordan designs of the era.
The foil-heavy, action-packed design captures Jordan’s dominance, and while not the rarest, there is a Gold Medallion version, which adds scarcity.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: $800-$1k
READ MORE: 7 Epic 1-of-1 Michael Jordan Cards
1997 Flair Hardwood Leaders Michael Jordan #4
Ultra first released the Hardwood Leaders insert in 1995, but for me Jordan’s 97 version is the one to have.
It’s another great looking card, with the lightning in the background.
The population of copies in the highest grade is low, and yet prices for this one are very affordable.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: 800-$1k
Bonus Card
1993 Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings Michael Jordan #5
The 1993 Scoring Kings Jordan insert is being added to the list as a ‘bonus’ card because, while it doesn’t lack appreciation from lots of collectors, I think it’s sometimes overshadowed by other great inserts from the 1990s, and I still think it’s a bit undervalued (although in recent years it has risen quite significantly in value).
The card itself is one of my favorite Jordan cards ever released in terms of design – It’s such a beautiful card, and in my opinion.
It’s a condition sensitive card, which is tough to find in top condition today.
Average price of a PSA 10 copy: $10k-$12k
*Average prices based on PSA’s previous public sales data.
