Michael Jordan doesn’t need much introduction, to most, as a sportsman; The Chicago Bulls legend is one of the greatest athletes of all time, and, for many, the best NBA player ever.
The 6-time NBA champion and 5-time NBA MVP has too many accolades to list here, but it comes as no surprise that he has some of the most valuable and important sports cards ever released – He’s probably the most collectible name in the modern hobby.
I’ve listed the 10 best MJ cards to collect, below.
*The list includes cards that only feature Michael Jordan (no multiplayer cards), and I haven’t included any 1-of-1 cards (because they’re basically impossible to collect), like his Fleer Ultra Masterpiece cards from the 90s or his record sale 2003-04 UD Ultimate Logoman card for example.
10 Top MJ Cards To Collect
10. 1996-97 SPx Autograph Michael Jordan #8
Michael Jordan’s first autograph basketball card is this SPx release from ‘96-’97, and while there’s some worth far more, it’s still a key card of his, which holds good value, and rarely surfaces these days.
The die-cut card is nice, but the on-card signature is what gives it high appeal and status. It suffers from condition issues, so finding one in a high grade isn’t easy.
9. 1998-99 Skybox Molten Metal Fusion Titanium Michael Jordan #41F
A stylish and unique card next with this Molten Metal Fusion gem from ‘98-’99 Skybox.
It features a pointillist portrait of MJ, made using die-cut dots, and another image of him in action for the Bulls.
A basic fusion parallel version exists, which is numbered to 250 copies, but this Titanium version is numbered to only 40, and holds more value; It’s one of the most expensive sports cards of the 1990s.
8. 1997-98 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan #23
It’s not the first Precious Metal Gems MJ card, or the most popular, but this Metal Universe Championship PMG card is still one of the top all-time MJ cards.
It’s a popular card, with a nice design, and there’s only 50 copies, so when one surfaces, it sells for top dollar.
7. 1998-99 Upper Deck Game Jersey Autograph Michael Jordan #UD3-GJ
This 1998-99 UD Game Jersey card builds on the successful insert release from the year before.
It doesn’t quite hold the same weight as that Game Jersey Auto Jordan card from the year prior, but it’s still a big card, with the appealing jersey relic and on-card signature; It’s also hand-numbered to 23 copies.
It’s easily one of the best and most valuable MJ cards ever released.
6. 1998-99 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies Michael Jordan #23
For me, Skybox’s Star Rubies parallels are some of the best parallel cards ever made; Definitely one of the top sports card lines from the 90s.
The exciting, shiny design of this ‘98-’99 card resonates well with collectors, and with just 50 numbered copies, it’s one of the most desirable Michael Jordan cards ever.
5. 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan #101
For some, this is MJ’s true rookie card. It’s generally not as popular as his ‘86-’87 Fleer rookie, but it’s still one of his most valuable and treasured cards.
The Star set in 1984 was released during a time when basketball collectors were short of NBA products, and this is the first licensed Michael Jordan basketball card.
So, whether you consider it to be his true rookie or not, there’s no doubting its significance, and it’s one of his top cards ever released.
4. 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Limited Logos Michael Jordan #LL-MJ
MJ has multiple relic and autograph cards from Upper Deck’s Exquisite Collection releases in the mid-00s, but this is the pick of them.
The game-used relic patch and blue ink signature make it a high-end card, and it’s numbered to only 75 copies.
The set’s importance, and the popular card design also help contribute towards its high value.
3. 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan #23
A legendary parallel, with an iconic and exciting design.
There’s 100 numbered copies of the ‘97-’98 Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan card, split into two different versions; A red foil background and the green foil background.
The first 10 are in green, and the remaining 90 in red, so coming across one isn’t easy, and that helps make either version expensive; However, the green version being a lot rarer makes it one of the most elusive and valuable Michael Jordan cards ever released.
2. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Autograph Michael Jordan #GJ13S
This one represents the first game-used jersey Michael Jordan card.
The overall card design isn’t for everyone, but it’s a key card, and it holds a lot of value.
A patch only version of the card exists, but this autographed version is rarer, and more expensive. In fact, in 2021 the 6/23 card sold for $2.7 million to become his most expensive card sale ever, at the time (the record was broken in 2024).
The signed version is hand-numbered to 23 copies, in reference to his famous jersey number, and it’s easily one of the greatest and most sought-after Michael Jordan cards ever released.
1. 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan #57
The ‘86-’87 Fleer card has to be number 1 for Jordan basketball cards; It’s arguably the most recognizable and iconic basketball card ever released.
Some of Jordan’s rarer cards have sold for more, but the significance and popularity of this one can’t really be matched.
Most collectors consider it to be Jordan’s ‘official’ rookie card, and the design, mixed with the status of the set, all contribute to its high value and desirability.
It’s the most expensive sports card of the 1980s, and there’s no doubt about the card’s importance in the history of the hobby.
