1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan
1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan
The crown jewel of the modern hobby: Michael Jordan's rookie card, and one of the most recognized cards ever made. Valuable in any grade despite not being rare - condition-sensitive red/blue borders and centering make high grades scarce, and it is the single most-counterfeited card in the hobby. Jordan also appears as sticker #8.
About Michael Jordan
Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jeffrey Jordan starred at the University of North Carolina before the Chicago Bulls selected him third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft. The 6'6" shooting guard played 15 NBA seasons - all but two with the Bulls, plus a final run with the Washington Wizards (2001-03) - and led Chicago to six championships (1991-1993 and 1996-1998), winning the Finals MVP in each. He captured five regular-season MVP awards (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), Rookie of the Year in 1985, and Defensive Player of the Year in 1988. A 14-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team pick and 10-time scoring champion, he averaged 30.1 points per game, the best career mark in league history. Nicknamed "Air Jordan" and "His Airness" for a leaping ability that let him dunk from near the free-throw line, he even detoured into minor-league baseball in 1994 before returning to win three more titles. Jordan was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. This 1986-87 Fleer card #57 is his lone recognized rookie card and the crown jewel of the modern hobby; he also appears on sticker #8 in the same set.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan is card #57 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. Because of the multi-year gap, it is the recognized Rookie Card for Michael Jordan. He is pictured with the Chicago Bulls.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 30,713 | 334 | 3,462 | 10,675 | 5,488 | 9,806 | 948 |
| SGC | 4,499 | 29 | 269 | 912 | 788 | 1,761 | 740 |
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 Michael Jordan card?
It is card #57 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 Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan, and is his recognized rookie card.
Is this the Michael Jordan rookie card?
Yes. The 1986-87 Fleer #57 is the universally recognized Michael Jordan rookie card and one of the most important cards in the entire hobby. A 1984-85 Star card exists but, because of its limited distribution, is considered an Extended Rookie Card (XRC).
How do I spot a fake Michael Jordan 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 Michael Jordan 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.