The mysterious case of Michael Jordan’s 1994 Topps Finest #23 jersey prototype/proof

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by duron

Let’s say the roller marks only affect the peel and not the card, the fact this could still even be a thought really shows you where we’re at. I get it, it still matters as a reseller, but god damn.

No amount of innate, unique allure of a card itself is enough, because MuSt GrAde HiGhEr.

I see what you're saying, but I were guaranteed that the roller marks don't affect the surface of the card, I'm 100% peeling it. Not because it would "grade higher" but because it would present nicer.

[duron]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

I see what you're saying, but I were guaranteed that the roller marks don't affect the surface of the card, I'm 100% peeling it. Not because it would "grade higher" but because it would present nicer.

I can see that too, just like how some people can’t stand the black text to remove your run of the mill Finest coatings. To me the roller marks on these are part of the card. Sort of tells the story of what it even is.

[VintageCards123]

Looks like PSA started to add “#23 prototype” to the lables
https://www.instagram.com/p/C52JW5SM...RlODBiNWFlZA==

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by VintageCards123

Looks like PSA started to add “#23 prototype” to the lables
https://www.instagram.com/p/C52JW5SM...RlODBiNWFlZA==

Yes, it's good that they began differentiating them from the standard issue #45 jersey, so we can track their population.

Over the past year, since PSA has been grading them, I have noticed that only 1 copy has received a numerical grade, and the other 7 copies were slabbed "authentic." I'm assuming it's because most of them were cut short (which is why all but one were in "authentic" BGS holders originally).

None of the eight PSA copies, which are now correctly identified on their PSA label have sold. The most recent sale was a BGS Auth did $8,700 last June.

[VintageCards123]

Might you have a link for the BGS sale in June 2024?

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by VintageCards123

Might you have a link for the BGS sale in June 2024?

Here it is:

https://www.fanaticscollect.com/week...4-0a58a9feac02

Have always enjoyed the story and circumstances surrounding this card. Not even sure how many MJ die-hards know about it. Even the Fanatics listing failed shed light on how this card came to be.

I think it's still underrated, given how infrequently these pop up for sale.

Disclosure: I have one.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

Here it is:

https://www.fanaticscollect.com/week...4-0a58a9feac02

Have always enjoyed the story and circumstances surrounding this card. Not even sure how many MJ die-hards know about it. Even the Fanatics listing failed shed light on how this card came to be.

I think it's still underrated, given how infrequently these pop up for sale.

Disclosure: I have one.

I agree here. I think it's still mostly unknown to even the most seasoned MJ collectors.

[RKH916]

EDIT: I need glasses

[VintageCards123]

Any recent news on this card? Was there any available for sale at the National?

[r338]

Originally Posted by VintageCards123

Any recent news on this card? Was there any available for sale at the National?

I saw one. BGS Auth with a $15K sticker.

[VintageCards123]

Originally Posted by r338

I saw one. BGS Auth with a $15K sticker.

15k! Wow. What would folks consider a fair offer for one of these?

[2010GBPackers]

There's one up on Fanatics' Premier auction.

https://www.fanaticscollect.com/prem...r-331-bgs-auth

They have it labeled as an "Error" card even though their AI system clearly used my original thread post on their description of the card. It's not an "Error" card, Fanatics. This was never pack-issued. It's a prototype, as recognized by PSA.

[johnscards]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

There's one up on Fanatics' Premier auction.

https://www.fanaticscollect.com/prem...r-331-bgs-auth

They have it labeled as an "Error" card even though their AI system clearly used my original thread post on their description of the card. It's not an "Error" card, Fanatics. This was never pack-issued. It's a prototype, as recognized by PSA.

Saw it on the Premier and knew this thread would get revived I like the card, but unfortunately for it, it will probably blend right in with the other random errors/proofs/"Artist Proof" 1/1s, no name on front/extra line on back, etc. etc. etc.

Very niche market that is drawn to this card. Still cool either way

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

There's one up on Fanatics' Premier auction.

https://www.fanaticscollect.com/prem...r-331-bgs-auth

They have it labeled as an "Error" card even though their AI system clearly used my original thread post on their description of the card. It's not an "Error" card, Fanatics. This was never pack-issued. It's a prototype, as recognized by PSA.

Love this card. Imagine trying to explain to some 20 year old hype beast who has the attention span of a gnat what this card is the rare variant to have instead of a PSA 10 #45 jersey version.

[Asian62150]

Cool card with a great story.

Could be MJ's best card-related story.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by johnscards

Saw it on the Premier and knew this thread would get revived I like the card, but unfortunately for it, it will probably blend right in with the other random errors/proofs/"Artist Proof" 1/1s, no name on front/extra line on back, etc. etc. etc.

Very niche market that is drawn to this card. Still cool either way

Typically, I would agree, but its recognition is slowly building. PSA magazine had a feature story on the #23 Finest Jordan prototype in their Feb. 2024 issue, and PSA now identifies it as such on their flip and population report. Although there are now (7) in their pop report, the only image I can find of one in the new slab is from naz_nubzz' IG story (video). I grabbed a screenshot of it. He owns two copies.

[VintageCards123]

The one at Fanatics sold for $17.7k

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by VintageCards123

The one at Fanatics sold for $17.7k

Not bad considering it was in a BGS Auth slab. A PSA authenticated copy with the "#23 Prototype w/ coating" would sell for much more, IMO. Good sale nonetheless.

[VintageCards123]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

Not bad considering it was in a BGS Auth slab. A PSA authenticated copy with the "#23 Prototype w/ coating" would sell for much more, IMO. Good sale nonetheless.

Now it’ll cost more for those to crossover from BGS to PSA

[auburn35]

A few additional notes on these cards, from someone involved with the BGS submission.
Cards were allegedly discovered, already cut.
https://x.com/RyanStadler79/status/1...YmXxnoAKw&s=19

"We" / the place I was working at / ex business partner were the source to the market with these and yes, all those were subbed to BGS and they are all consecutive #23 versions. The source prior to us was an SGW exec. And I frieken forgot to keep one prior to them all selling.

They were cut before, while there was a lot of uncut sheets in the deal. Evan was involved in the second part of the deal, same with Leximo and another person who bought a few hundred sheets. My ex-biz partner bought the storage unit from an SGW Exec. I obtained some stuff when I sold my part of a domain to him and mainly took in inventory. I sold some 23's individually (through the company, not me personally) and while we were working on details of our deal, it was taking a while, and Mathis came in and bought most of what was left of the SGW deal