1986-87 Fleer #9 Larry Bird
1986-87 Fleer #9 Larry Bird
Larry Legend - not a rookie here (his RC is 1980-81 Topps) but a cornerstone of the set and the Bird-Magic era that drove its demand.
About Larry Bird
A 6'9" forward out of Indiana State, Larry Bird was drafted 6th overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978 but returned for his senior season, joining the team in 1979 and winning Rookie of the Year in 1980. He spent his entire 13-season career (1979-1992) with Boston, earning 12 All-Star selections and nine straight All-NBA First Team honors (1980-1988). Bird won three consecutive league MVP awards (1984, 1985, 1986) and led the Celtics to three championships (1981, 1984, 1986), taking Finals MVP in 1984 and 1986. He retired averaging 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Nicknamed "The Hick from French Lick" for his small-town Indiana roots and later "Larry Legend," his rivalry with Magic Johnson defined 1980s basketball and helped drive demand for this set. In this 1986-87 Fleer set he is not a rookie (his true RC is 1980-81 Topps) but a cornerstone card. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1998.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Larry Bird is card #9 in Fleer's landmark 'Premier' issue - the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps and, for many collectors, the start of the modern era of basketball cards. Larry Bird was already an established star by 1986; this is not his rookie card, but he is one of the names that make the set a who's-who of the era. He is pictured with the Boston Celtics.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 8,390 | 122 | 1,652 | 3,674 | 1,689 | 1,249 | 4 |
| SGC | 1,114 | 4 | 104 | 384 | 307 | 297 | 18 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1986-87 Fleer Larry Bird card?
It is card #9 of 132 in the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball set - Fleer's 'Premier' issue and the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps. It pictures the Boston Celtics Larry Bird.
How do I spot a fake Larry Bird 1986-87 Fleer card?
1986-87 Fleer is the most counterfeited basketball set. Genuine cards are crisp and dark with an intact micro-dot print pattern; fakes look fuzzy or flat. Check the Fleer 'Premier' logo (the arrow is a darker gold than the yellow box) and, on the back, the NBA Players Association basketball, whose seam lines are visible on a real card and filled solid on a fake. For high-value copies, buy professionally graded (PSA/BGS/SGC) and verify the cert.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Larry Bird valuable?
Value depends heavily on grade and centering. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Basketball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-08-23.