1986 Jordan RC PSA 9 Pricing

MBMiller25

How does this card continue to bring the prices that it does? Prior to his election in the HOF (which was a foregone conclusion BTW), his PSA 9 RC's were selling for about $1000 on average. I know as I purchased one, and saw subsequent PSA 9's going for anywhere from $950-$1050 range. He goes into the HOF months ago, we enter into the worst economic times since the depression, and his card prices actually INCREASE into the $1350-$1450 range we are seeing today. This card is not rare! There are over 2000 PSA 9's graded. How does this card continue to sustain this selling price? Jordan is not especially friendly and/or accessible like that of other similar iconic players in other sports, which help to continue to drive pricing ala a Cal Ripken, etc.

Just curious to know everyone's thoughts. I really thought this card was going to settle in the $900-$1000 range, but am absolutely perplexed.

itzagoner

i believe his overall popularity will transcend whatever pricing structure exists.

there's little kids generations removed from MJ's playing days who wear his stuff, honor his accomplishments and would bow at his feet, even though they never saw him play a single minute of basketball.

as long as Mike is marketable, there will be a market for Mike, and people who find the best examples of his rookie card affordable will pour their money into a stable investment.

wallst32

I see the one completed aution on ebay that went for $1450. It was actaully a BIN best offer and I believe the buyer likely paid more than true market value. Anyways he may be the most popular and marketable athlete (any sport not just basketball) of all time not just in the US, but worldwide.

ndleo

Jordan has worldwide appeal. 2000 PSA 9's may be a lot, but not in relation to the people who want to own one. Also how many of the 2000 are actively bought and sold? A lot of them are probably in private collections.

Jmhockey23

I think another consideration is collectors similar to myself who grew up during the MJ era that are just getting careers and have the money to spend on the cards they wish they could have had while growing up. I was like 6 years old when MJ won his first championship and like 13-14 when he won his last. Now that I'm 25, I can consider purchasing a MJ rookie because I have income of my own. Also, that card is a card that appeals to more than just basketball collectors because of it's iconic nature. I collect autographed football cards, but the MJ rookie is on my short list of cards that I also would like to get autographed....Those are a couple of my thoughts.

Mickey71

Jordan transcends all eras and everything. Sometimes we need to go back and look at the stats. He was unbelievable. Not to knock Kobe....people need to look at the rebounds and assists and steals. Kobe was not as good. Kobe has been on great teams. Great players made Kobe great teams. Michael Jordan made great teams out of average/above average players. Michael literally won 6 straight titles and he was the clear cut MVP on each of those teams..

Frozencaribou

I'm sure a large part of this equation is his appeal with collectors who otherwise dislike basketball. I dislike basketball but I was hooked on the Bulls during their run. Jordan, Pippen, Grant, Paxton, Cartwright... Something about him transcends his sport. Like Tiger with golf or Gretzky with hockey.

FC

CNote

Jordan isn't even in the Top 10 of greatest players. He didn't play defense, his offense was overrated, and the rest of the team won him those rings!

Mickey71

I actually think he's underrated. In the 92-93 season Barkley won the league MVP and rightfully so...when the finals came Jordan averaged like 43 points in the series and completely owned the Suns. I remember seeing the interviews with the Suns coach saying "We can't stop him" like it was hopeless to even try. It was a desperate situation. This was the coach of the league's MVP. I think other players lost confidence playing against Jordan. I also remember Glen Rice scored like 55 points for Miami and the next night he faced Chicago...Jordan was to guard him and he was talking about containing Rice....I think Rice scored like 6 points. Jordan dominated him. I could go on and on. In 90-91 the NBA regarded Drexler as it's second best player.....and it was second by a mile as the finals showed with Michael shooting 3's like he was on a playground. He at times embarrased his opponents with his play. Patrick Ewing probably can't sleep at night. Michael single handidly changed Patrick's career.

Mickey71

MBMiller25

<< <i>It's called overrated and overvalued. >>



I tend to agree with you. I was certainly not debating how great of a player Michael Jordan was. He is the greatest basketball player of all time, no doubt. Its the prices of his cards, that I am questioning. His cards are bucking a huge trend that has occured in conjunction with the poor economy, which is an overall decrease in value. Not only are his cards holding their value, they have increase by anywhere from 30-40% over this time period. I don't see any legitimate reasoning for such an increase, and again was looking for the collective thoughts of the board, as to what might be driving such an increase.

itzagoner

let's not pull punches, either.

the man behind the man is Dean Smith.....if he hadn't pulled the reins at Chapel Hill, Mike woulda been past his prime by the time he got to the NBA.

Aric

<< <i>He goes into the HOF months ago, we enter into the worst economic times since the depression, and his card prices actually INCREASE into the $1350-$1450 range we are seeing today. >>



IMO, the economy is much improved than when he was elected to the HOF in September of 09. Just a thought.

Blacklabelsociety

Jordan is probably the 2nd most popular athlete in the world after Ali. Jordan's cards might be overvalued though. $82,000 for a BGS 10? Ridiculous.

otwcards

Hmmmm . . .

Jordan is the modern day Mickey Mantle. He is the name that people put on the face of basketball.

There are a few other rookie cards that seem to follow such a pattern of appreciating in a sluggish economy when found in high grade. Aside from Mantle and Jordan, there's also: Wayne Gretzky, Jim Brown, Sandy Koufax and Roberto Clemente. Derek Jeter's SP RC is a modern day example of an active player's card that is pretty resistant to market depreciation.

weinhold

This is an interesting topic that you have started, Matt.

About a year ago I still owned the nicest-looking 1986 Fleer Jordan RC PSA 9 Mint one would ever see. I sold it to a buyer that regularly contributes to these Boards. That's partially because the card's population seemed so high, and with room to go higher. Consequently, I figured the card value would have to go down. It still hasn't.

Some good reasons have already been given by others as to why this apparent price appreciation is occurring.

__________________________________________________

I seem to remember - but don't for sure - that PSA did a poll asking what the most iconic basketball card is. Seems to me that the 1986 Fleer Jordan RC won the poll - even beating out the valuable 1948 Bowman Mikan RC. Someone feel free to corroborate or correct.

akuracy503

This is how I see it to a point, compare Michael Jordan to this hobby like you do Mickey Mantle..

Jordan cards should do well into the future just like Mantle cards did.

Demand of these top icons far exceed the supply.



<< <i>Hmmmm . . .

Jordan is the modern day Mickey Mantle. He is the name that people put on the face of basketball.

There are a few other rookie cards that seem to follow such a pattern of appreciating in a sluggish economy when found in high grade. Aside from Mantle and Jordan, there's also: Wayne Gretzky, Jim Brown, Sandy Koufax and Roberto Clemente. Derek Jeter's SP RC is a modern day example of an active player's card that is pretty resistant to market depreciation. >>

seablaster

I agree with Matt. I'm not sure what exactly is causing this card to appreciate in value, but I also think it will ultimately settle in the $900-1000 range.

I think 2000+ PSA 9s is a huge number. I'd be interested in knowing how many current owners of a PSA 9 would pay in excess of $1000 for it right now.

Garabaldi

It is also a good looking card.

Toro

I grew up as a teen watching Jordan play. I'm older now with a career. I spent about $1200 on unopened packs with the chance to pull a Jordan. I did and I'll never part with it. You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hand. It's a PSA 9 but off-center

bighurt2000

Out of the 2015 PSA 9s how many have been cracked out and resubmitted?
I would say there is no more than 1400 PSA 9 Jordan RC's in PSA holders
right now maybe less.

James