1986 Michael Jordan Fleer (over produced or still a good long-term investment)

[Tootimonster]

Picture is just for attention and reference (not my card)

Hi all, I’m looking to buy or trade for an ‘86 Fleer MJ. Ideally in a PSA or BGS 8-9. I just want one with good eye appeal. This is a card I would likely keep for years and either sell 20+ years later or just give it to my kids if they have any interest in it when they get older.

I’ve been chasing this card since I was a kid. Wish I just purchased one in the 80s. Hindsight…

Given the price point and the current market, does it make sense to buy this card still? The pop report is insane. It’s a mass produced card. That being said, I think it’s the most iconic card for an NBA collector.

Just curious to see what others think. I know we don’t have a crystal ball and the future is always unknown.

Do we see this card losing value (it seems like people are stating to focus more on the ‘85 Star card) or do we see this card holding or increasing value (at the very least keeping up with inflation.)

If I were to trade I would be giving up cards like Antman, Joker, Shai, Lulu - all of whom have a high ceiling. It’s effectively a gamble and I know that. I would just hate to structure a trade and then look back 5 years from now to see MJ at half its value and the above-mentioned guys skyrocket.

I’m essentially just thinking out loud here but would love to hear other thoughts as well.

Thanks fam.


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[jetta20162]

I had this card, a PSA 5, well centered. Kept it for 5 years. I sold it last week to update by Kobe Bryant collection. Honestly it's junk wax. I understand that it's MJ rookie card and i was excited to own it but there is nothing really special to this card for me. I invested the money in some nice Kobe cards and 1997 PMGs, but i guess every one has it's own preference. P.S. It's the most counterfeited card ever.

[msink28]

I wouldn't be too worried about trading the guys you mentioned for an 86-87 MJ. The biggest key I think is to get good value at the time of the trade. Normally when trading up into a card like that you take a substantial hit.

I would be more inclined to learn the market, buy it outright, and keep the guys you mentioned. It seems to me like this card has taken quite a hit in the last year, but there are still a bazillion people who want it, like me for example.

[rnocards]

Originally Posted by Tootimonster

Picture is just for attention and reference (not my card)

Hi all, I’m looking to buy or trade for an ‘86 Fleer MJ. Ideally in a PSA or BGS 8-9. I just want one with good eye appeal. This is a card I would likely keep for years and either sell 20+ years later or just give it to my kids if they have any interest in it when they get older.

I’ve been chasing this card since I was a kid. Wish I just purchased one in the 80s. Hindsight…

Given the price point and the current market, does it make sense to buy this card still? The pop report is insane. It’s a mass produced card. That being said, I think it’s the most iconic card for an NBA collector.

Just curious to see what others think. I know we don’t have a crystal ball and the future is always unknown.

Do we see this card losing value (it seems like people are stating to focus more on the ‘85 Star card) or do we see this card holding or increasing value (at the very least keeping up with inflation.)

If I were to trade I would be giving up cards like Antman, Joker, Shai, Lulu - all of whom have a high ceiling. It’s effectively a gamble and I know that. I would just hate to structure a trade and then look back 5 years from now to see MJ at half its value and the above-mentioned guys skyrocket.

I’m essentially just thinking out loud here but would love to hear other thoughts as well.

Thanks fam.


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In my opinion, the greatest basketball card of all time. Get one, in any grade condition, and keep it for generations.

[discodanman45]

Best bang for your buck is a newly graded PSA 7 if you can get a nicely centered one at comps for that grade. I would love to have one, but $5000 for a single piece of cardboard is not in my 2025 collection budget.

[drobfan8]

Everyone always wants this card and it will always be a good buy.

I used to own a centred 5 which was great but sold before the pump.

When I had the funds to spend $5k on a better copy, I pivoted and grabbed an 03 Exquisite base MJ instead.

For the pricepoint at any grade, there are better Jordans out there.

[asujbl]

Both

Easy answer

[GuacamoleCards]

Here is mine. I love it and it is the kind of card the fits the overall value structure of my collection. The surface grade of 6 is all from that lower left corner, which doesn't detract from the overall eye appeal of the card, to me. This is a 7 that in many ways is more like an 8.5, to me (and that's what matters).

I don't think you have too much to fear, and I think most of the fluctuation of this card will come from the overall card market (COVID spike, COVID collapse) than anything intrinsic to this card, but I could be wrong.

[rainmaker]

It is as blue chip as you can get. Acquiring one of the top 5 cards in the history of baseball carding hobby is a very wise move. I feel we just may be about the bottom for this card. It may not of course... could drop further, but now is as good a time to acquire as any in the past 7 years. Trading modern for it is a no brainer veteran move even with a 10% premium given up in trade value.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

It is as blue chip as you can get. Acquiring one of the top 5 cards in the history of baseball carding hobby is a very wise move. I feel we just may be about the bottom for this card. It may not of course... could drop further, but now is as good a time to acquire as any in the past 7 years. Trading modern for it is a no brainer veteran move even with a 10% premium given up in trade value.

Why do you say this? I’m honestly curious

Throw out Covid. That doesn’t matter

So why is now a good time compared to say 2017 or 2018?

I don’t disagree but this is a bold statement for a 40 year old card that is mass produced

[rainmaker]

Cool yeah... Of course buying in 2017 was a better time. The hobby changed a ton right around that time. A massive #57 bull run (no doubt buyers groups) and Aaron Judge/Mike Trout became a thing. By 2019 prices were comparable or higher than where we sit today for all non-ultra modern key cards.

Covid matters in the sense that this card proved how big it is... a household name classic image of an all American hobby that exploded when people needed some sense of nostalgia in a crazy world. Like a security blanket. It along with 52 Topps #311 is Americana and value/production relevancy doesn't matter at the core. This card is special to a lot of people.

I have been collecting and tracking MJ rc cards for a long time now. About a year ago I bought the nicest 86 Fleer sticker I could find that wasn't a 10. Also bought one of the nicest Star 85 Olympic uniform from the main set. Both have slowly and steadily increased in hammer prices since.

Is it mass produced, yeah, but more people want it than have it. I don't think that can be said for more than a mere handful of cards ever made.

The hobby is expensive these days so in relative terms of bang for your buck I don't see #57 dropping much more from where it is at. I believe a nice eye appeal PSA 5-9 #57 is a perfect buy and hold collectible to have in ones portfolio.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Cool yeah... Of course buying in 2017 was a better time. The hobby changed a ton right around that time. A massive #57 bull run (no doubt buyers groups) and Aaron Judge/Mike Trout became a thing. By 2019 prices were comparable or higher than where we sit today for all non-ultra modern key cards.

Covid matters in the sense that this card proved how big it is... a household name classic image of an all American hobby that exploded when people needed some sense of nostalgia in a crazy world. Like a security blanket. It along with 52 Topps #311 is Americana and value/production relevancy doesn't matter at the core. This card is special to a lot of people.

I have been collecting and tracking MJ rc cards for a long time now. About a year ago I bought the nicest 86 Fleer sticker I could find that wasn't a 10. Also bought one of the nicest Star 85 Olympic uniform from the main set. Both have slowly and steadily increased in hammer prices since.

Is it mass produced, yeah, but more people want it than have it. I don't think that can be said for more than a mere handful of cards ever made.

The hobby is expensive these days so in relative terms of bang for your buck I don't see #57 dropping much more from where it is at. I believe a nice eye appeal PSA 5-9 #57 is a perfect buy and hold collectible to have in ones portfolio.

So many words

You didn’t explain why now is better than a year ago

Of course it’s good bang for your buck. No one said otherwise

If you want one? Buy one

You can repost this in 12 and 24 months. Prices will be the same

It is what it is at this point

[rainmaker]

Whatever man I gave you my analysis. I never suggested its a 'better' time to buy now than a year ago. But its a fine time to acquire a high eye appeal specimen and likely cheaper now than it will be next December.

[r338]

It depends what you intend to sell. Not all Ant, Jokic, Luka, Shai cards are worth keeping. But if you have low serial numbered cards, they will be difficult to find and difficult to replace. On the other hand, you will always be able to buy an 86 Fleer in any grade you want.

[ninjacookies]

Buy it because you like it...not for future financial gains. It will always hold a spot as perhaps the most iconic basketball card of all time.


It will never, ever be the 52 Mantle as an investment piece, however. For obvious reasons such as print run and era specific importance of sportscards and preservation/condition.

Cards of the early 50's were considered trash can or bicycle spoke fodder. By the mid 80's, sportscards already had 2-3 decades of established mainstream collectability status. I still remember walking into an LCS with my father as a 3 or 4 year old in the late 80's and seeing a $200 price tag on a raw copy. People knew what they had even back then.

[REGGIE206]

Supply vs Demand.

To most, Michael Jordan is the GOAT. The 1986 Fleer will always be his most “popular” card. New collectors will want one for their collection just to have the GOAT RC. I believe it will always be in demand.

I recently upgraded my off-centered BGS 5 for this PSA 5 below. I am now happy I have a well centered copy in a PSA slab:

[vintg]

i humbly submit one of the nicest 7's you will find.

check out the subgrades.

jmho. thanks

[Tootimonster]

Thanks for all the input fam. As some of the comments mentioned I essentially just want the card because it’s so iconic. I guess my concern is that I’m looking to spend or trade anywhere between $5k to $8k on it so it’s not something I could just swing without thinking of future value. Fortunately, I’m in a position where I can afford it today but who knows what the future holds.

I recently got an on-card MJ auto through a trade and I basically have 2-3 more grail cards to acquire. The 86 MJ is one of those.

I think I’ll always want this card so if I can get a well-centered one for a good price I’ll likely jump on it.

Hope everyone has a wonderful new year. Enjoy the hobby and be well


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[Tootimonster]

Originally Posted by REGGIE206

Supply vs Demand.

To most, Michael Jordan is the GOAT. The 1986 Fleer will always be his most “popular” card. New collectors will want one for their collection just to have the GOAT RC. I believe it will always be in demand.

I recently upgraded my off-centered BGS 5 for this PSA 5 below. I am now happy I have a well centered copy in a PSA slab:

That’s a really nice 5. Wanna trade?


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[Tootimonster]

Originally Posted by vintg

Attachment 560005

i humbly submit one of the nicest 7's you will find.

check out the subgrades.

jmho. thanks

The picture won’t load for some reason


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[Archangel1775]

Overproduced in comparison to what? 1986 Topps baseball or 2024 Topps Chrome?

Its probably the most exaggerated point in any discussion about MJ's rookie card. Sure, there are many graded copies but in comparison to what? 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr or 2024 Prism Victor Wembanyama? Or are we comparing the card to 1952 Topps and the Mickey Mantle? Kinda says it right there where the cards stands. Unopened cases were impossible to come by throughout the last 35 years. Nobody that I've ever seen in any printed publication was selling 100 count lots of stars from this set let alone unopened cases.Heck, I want to go through my old publications to see if unopened boxes were being advertised in the 90s. The only case that has ever been seen was from Larry Fritsch. Are there a lot of MJ's out there, sure. But demand far exceeds supply and we've already seen where the ceiling can go. People jumped and bought and where the card will be far into the future but that's the hobby. It is no doubt the most iconic basketball card of All-Time of the Greatest of All-Time. Just ask yourself how relevant will Michael Jordan and his brand be 100 years from now. Very

[rnocards]

Just ask yourself how relevant will Michael Jordan and his brand be 100 years from now. Very

I think that 100 years from now, Jordan's brand for basketball will be regarded in a similar way to today's Ruth's brand for baseball. Just my opinion.

[REGGIE206]

Originally Posted by rnocards

I think that 100 years from now, Jordan's brand for basketball will be regarded in a similar way to today's Ruth's brand for baseball. Just my opinion.

Kids did not wear “Ruth Shoes” during or after Babe Ruth played. Michael Jordan has not played for how many years.. and how many kids received Jordan shoes for Christmas this year? The “Jumpman Logo” are still on NBA jerseys. In my opinion, Babe Ruth is not a good comparison.

[rnocards]

Originally Posted by REGGIE206

Kids did not wear “Ruth Shoes” during or after Babe Ruth played. Michael Jordan has not played for how many years.. and how many kids received Jordan shoes for Christmas this year? The “Jumpman Logo” are still on NBA jerseys. In my opinion, Babe Ruth is not a good comparison.

Who would be a better comparison?

[ninjacookies]

Can't believe this thread hasn't triggered the unlicensed bat signal to project across the investerboi night skies and summon the 101'ers out of hiding.


Hellcat must be on sabbatical.