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Top Ten Michael Jordan Cards
Date posted: May 31, 2009
By Matt Cassidy
This article will share with you my personal top 10 Michael Jordan trading cards of all time - the best Jordan cards to collect. This is a very subjective topic and, as you will see, my list contains cards that most other people wouldn't feel qualify. You'll also see how much I appreciate cards and styles of the early 90's.
10: 1993-94 SkyBox Base Michael Jordan Card
That's right - a $3 base card makes an appearance on my top 10! This card is a sentimental favorite of mine. Let me share a quick story with you.
I was 11 or 12 and had become interested in basketball and trading cards. I'd seen packs of cards at the newsagent before but never had enough money in my pocket to buy one. So I saved the few coins I could get my hands on over a couple of weeks and finally had enough money to buy a pack of 93-94 SkyBox (an early favorite). Inside was a John Starks Center Stage and this fantastic Michael Jordan base card! I thought it was the coolest thing ever to pull a Jordan from my first pack of cards - I treasured that card... if only I'd never swapped it away.
9: 1987-88 Fleer Second Year Michael Jordan
As in the featured card post of this card, I see this card as a piece of historic memorabilia. At a considerably lower price than the rookie of the year before, the second year Jordan card in well centered condition is a must have for serious Jordan collectors. Michael Jordan second year card.
8: 2007-08 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Die Cut All Star
As you might know, I'm a fan of 1990's cards and was really into the hobby as a child of the era. In 1993-94 the Upper Deck Die Cut All Stars were spectacular cards that we all wanted to pull. (If you had the Shaq Die Cut All Star your collection was very popular!) Unfortunatley there was no Jordan to be had in the 1990's but there is now. A tried and true design, great looking card and very rare - this is a perfect number eight. 07-08 Michael Jordan Die Cut All Star.
7: 1994-95 Topps Finest Michael Jordan Refractor
Sporting his number 45 jersey, this card is iconic and a rarity. It features a newly returned Michael Jordan wearing his baseball (and his older brother Larry's basketball) jersey number. Only playing half a season in number 45 there is a limited number of cards with him in that jersey. This card was hard to pull and an excellent showpiece. Michael Jordan Refractors.
6: 1992-93 Fleer Michael Jordan Total D
At a time when true inserts were in their infancy, Fleer brought out this hard to pull card of Jordan to celebrate his abilities as a defensive player. Most cards feature Jordan flying on the attack so it is refreshing to have some of the rest of his repotaire featured in your collection. This card's old-school appeal and age mean a mint, well-centered copy is a very nice addition. 92-93 Fleer Michael Jordan Total D.
5: 1993-94 Fleer Ultra Michael Jordan Scoring Kings
I'm a big fan of this card. It has looks, rarity and age. For a full write up see my featured card post on the 93-94 Michael Jordan Scoring Kings. If you are looking to buy check out this page: 93-94 Michael Jordan Scoring Kings.
4: 2003-04 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Die Cut All Star Buy Back Autograph
As I discussed earlier I am a huge fan of the Upper Deck Die Cut All Stars. Upper Deck bought some of the 2003-04 All Stars back from the secondary market, sent them to Jordan to personally sign, then placed the ability to own one straight into packs! An on-card auto on an already awesome card! You might be interested also in my blog post about Michael Jordan Buy Back Autograph Cards.
3: 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan XRC
Not widely considered his rookie card even though it preceeded the 86-87 Fleer RC by two years (read up on why the 84 Star card isn't considered Jordan's rookie in my earlier blog post) the 1984-85 is still an excellent addition to your collection. Now that grading companies are able to grade this card more commonly it is also building up in demand and availability. Michael Jordan Star XRC.
2: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card
Not much needs to be said about this card - it is the holy grail of Michael Jordan cards. A nicely graded copy is needed for all serious Jordan card collections. I also have a blog post on buying a Michael Jordan rookie card online that may interest you. Michael Jordan Rookie Card.
1: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card Buy Back Autograph
The only card that can beat the Jordan rookie as a must-have card... is a Jordan rookie that Michael Jordan himself held and signed! Upper Deck bought 23 of these from the secondary market and made them available through pack purchases. Spectacular! I just wish they'd been a little more careful about the quality of some of the Jordan RCs they purchased. You might be interested also in my blog post about Michael Jordan Buy Back Autograph Cards.
Happy collecting.