You’re digging through a dusty shoebox in the attic. Maybe it's yours, maybe it’s your dad’s. Between the rubber-banded commons and the curled-up checklists, you see it. That unmistakable red, white, and blue border. The tongue is out. The flight is eternal. You’ve just found a 1989 Michael Jordan card.
But wait. Before you start picking out the color of your new Ferrari, we need to talk about reality.
The 1989 season was a weird, transitional bridge in the hobby. It was the tail end of the "vintage" feel and the absolute dawn of the overproduction era. Most people call it the "Junk Wax" era. Honestly? That's a bit unfair. While there are millions of these things floating around, the 1989 Michael Jordan card—specifically the 1989 Hoops #200 and the 1989 Fleer #21—remains the heartbeat of many collections. It’s the accessible MJ. It’s the card that everyone could actually own without taking out a second mortgage.
The Tale of Two Jordans: Hoops vs. Fleer
If you say "1989 Michael Jordan card" to a serious collector, they’ll immediately ask which one. There isn't just one.
The 1989-90 NBA Hoops Michael Jordan #200 is a literal icon. You know the one. It looks like a basketball backboard with a yellow border. Jordan is mid-air, looking like he’s about to dismantle a rim. This card was a massive deal because Hoops was the "new kid on the block" in 1989. They brought color photography to the back of the cards. They had team logos. It felt high-tech for the time.
Then you’ve got the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan #21. Fleer was the established king. By '89, they were trying to stay relevant against the flashy new Hoops sets. The #21 card is technically his "Scoring Average Leader" card, but for most of us, it’s just the base Jordan for that year. It features a great shot of Mike in the home whites, locked in.
Which one is better? Well, that depends on your vibe.
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- 1989 Hoops #200: More nostalgic, massive "cool factor," easier to find in decent shape.
- 1989 Fleer #21: Slightly more traditional, arguably better photography, and often carries a tiny bit more "prestige" among old-school Fleer purists.
What is a 1989 Michael Jordan Card Actually Worth?
Let's get the money talk out of the way. If your card is sitting in a shoebox without a sleeve, it’s probably worth about as much as a fancy burrito. Maybe $5 to $15 on a good day.
The real money lives in the PSA 10 Gem Mint world.
Right now, in early 2026, the market has settled into a very specific rhythm. A 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan #21 in a PSA 10 holder can still command anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500. That’s a lot of money for a "junk" card. Why? Because while they printed millions, finding one with perfect centering, no white "snow" on the borders, and sharp corners is actually really hard.
The 1989 Hoops #200 is a bit more affordable. A PSA 10 usually moves for around $200 to $300. It’s the perfect "entry-level" high-grade Jordan. If you drop down to a PSA 9, prices plummet. We're talking $40 or $50.
Basically, it's a "Gem or Bust" market.
The Hidden Gem: The 1989 Fleer Sticker
Don't ignore the stickers. The 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan Sticker #3 is a beast. These were inserts, one per pack. Because they’re stickers, kids actually stuck them on things—notebooks, headboards, lockers. Finding a 1989 Michael Jordan card in sticker form that hasn't been peeled and is graded a PSA 10 is incredibly rare. Recent sales have seen these touch $3,000 to $7,000. It’s the dark horse of the 1989 sets.
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Why the 1989 Season Matters (E-E-A-T Insights)
I've been tracking these cards since the early 90s. The 1989-90 season was a turning point. This was the year Michael Jordan finally became the "Global Icon." He wasn't just a high-flyer anymore; he was becoming the most efficient scoring machine the league had ever seen.
Collectors love 1989 because it represents the "Pre-Championship" MJ. He was hungry. He was still fighting the "Bad Boys" Pistons. There's a grit to these cards that the 1990s Skybox cards—which got a bit too flashy and "over-designed"—just don't have.
Expert tip: Look at the back of your 1989 Hoops card. The 1989-90 Hoops set was the first to use full-color player photos on the back. It sounds small now, but in 1989, that was like jumping from a black-and-white TV to 4K. It changed how we looked at the players.
How to Spot a Fake (or Just a Bad Deal)
Surprisingly, people do fake these. Not as often as the 1986 Fleer Rookie, but it happens. Usually, with a 1989 Michael Jordan card, you aren't looking for a "fake" as much as you're looking for a "trimmed" card.
Back in the day, people would use paper cutters to shave the edges of a card to make it look "sharper." This is an instant disqualifier for grading. If the card looks too small in a semi-rigid holder, or if the edges look "fuzzy" under a magnifying glass, stay away.
Also, watch out for the "reprints." In the late 90s and early 2000s, some companies released "tribute" versions of these cards. They look almost identical but will usually have a different date or a "Commemorative" logo somewhere on the back. They aren't worthless, but they aren't the real deal.
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Actionable Steps for Your 1989 Michael Jordan Card
If you just found one, or you're thinking about buying one, here’s how to handle it like a pro:
- Get a Loupe: Buy a cheap 10x jeweler's loupe. Look at the corners of your card. If you see white "fuzz" or rounded edges, don't waste your money on grading.
- Check the Centering: Look at the borders. Is the left side way thicker than the right? If the centering is worse than 60/40, it’s not going to get a 10.
- Buy the Grade, Not the Raw: If you're investing, just buy a PSA 9 or 10. Buying "raw" (ungraded) cards on eBay is a gamble. People rarely sell a potential PSA 10 as a raw card.
- Protect It: If you have a clean raw copy, put it in a "Penny Sleeve" first, then a "Top Loader." Never put a card directly into a hard plastic screw-down case without a sleeve—it’ll ruin the surface over time.
The 1989 Michael Jordan card isn't going to make you a millionaire. It isn't the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. But it is a piece of history from the peak of Jordan's physical powers. It's the card that defined a generation of collectors.
Whether it's the #200 Hoops or the #21 Fleer, owning one feels like holding a piece of the 80s in the palm of your hand. That's worth more than the $200 price tag.
Next Steps for Your Collection
Check your 1989 Hoops Jordan for the "All-Star" variation. There is a version (#21) that is an All-Star subset card. It’s often overlooked but has a very cool aesthetic and carries similar value to the base cards in high grades. Start by comparing your card's corners to a known PSA 8 to see if yours is worth the $18–$25 grading fee. Buying a high-resolution scanner or using a dedicated card-scanning app can also help you detect surface scratches that the naked eye misses before you commit to the grading process.