---
title: The Cost of a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Card in May 1999
description: Just Collect looks back on Beckett Magazine price guide from May 1999 to see how much a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie cost back then. We are buying!
image: https://blog.justcollect.com/hubfs/20260517_174151.jpg
---
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## [The Cost of a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Card in May 1999](https://blog.justcollect.com/the-cost-of-a-1986-87-fleer-michael-jordan-card-in-may-1999)
A Look Back in Beckett Magazine from 1999
- ** May 17, 2026
- **
How much was a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card in May of 1999? Just Collect looks back on the Summer before High School graduation and what that iconic card set us back as we readied for the real world.
In May of 1999, I was about to graduate high school. I had hair, gas was under $1.00 a gallon, and I may or may not have had a crush on the Spice Girls. Like today, I enjoyed the hobby! For basketball cards, Reggie Miller was my guy, but I knew the value was in [Michael Jordan](https://justcollect.com/basketball/players/michael-jordan/). Collect Reggie - invest in MJ. The Internet wasn't really a thing yet back then, so I would bring a trusty price guide to sports card shows in Albany, NY. One memory I have is passing up on a [1986-87 Fleer](https://justcollect.com/basketball/sets/1986-fleer/) rookie card for $125. The card wasn't in high [grade](https://justcollect.com/grading-vintage-baseball-cards/), but I opted to pass. Foolish, I know. How much was a well-conditioned Jordan rookie back then? Today, I busted out one of those old Beckett Magazines from May of 1999 to see just how foolish I was.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/8091373/8989db09-482d-4d8e-9658-d8bc3babd586)
Above is a Jordan Fleer rookie card. The card I passed on wasn't as nice; it had soft corners and the centering wasn't as good. Nonetheless, it was an MJ rookie card. Let's open up this Beckett from May of 1999:
This brings back memories! There is Jason Williams on the cover; he brought streetball to the NBA. In the all white Kings uniform, he looks to be driving to the rim with the ball in his left hand. A great cover by Beckett! Williams has the ball over the "basketball card monthly" text on the cover - pretty cool. Yes, that's the original copy I held onto!
The price on the left is Near Mint and the price on the right is Mint. [PSA ](https://www.psacard.com/)grades on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being Gem Mint perfect. These values are probably a PSA 9, Mint, and PSA 8, Near Mint.
- PSA 8 in May 1999 = $800
- PSA 9 in May 1999 = $1,100
- PSA 8 today = $14,850
- PSA 9 today = $39,950
If only we had Doc Brown's DeLorean...
With the Near Mint card valued at $800, the card I passed on for $125 was pretty reasonably priced. Let's call that $125 card a PSA 5. The last sale of a PSA 5 = $6,750.00. Why did I pass this up!? I couldn't retire today, but I might be able to get VIP tickets to a Spice Girls reunion show.
Just for fun, I took a look at a few other cards I probably should have picked up:
1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant rookie card was $2,000 in Gem Mint condition. The last PSA 10 sale was for $97,600.00. That stings.
1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan autograph was $1,400. The last sale listed is from 2021 for
$1,440,000.00. That is enough flipping through the price guide for tonight.
Just Collect is always buying Michael Jordan rookies! Recently, we purchased a collection of [FIVE Michael Jordan rookie cards](https://blog.justcollect.com/five-michael-jordan-1986-fleer-rookie-cards-purchased-by-just-collect). Reach out for a [](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/8091373/64e63ebf-caa0-455b-850a-b63a5c98610c) any time!
## INCREDIBLE COLLECTIONS PURCHASED
Check out blogs featuring incredible collections Just Collect proudly purchased such as:
- [**The Oregon Farm Collection**](https://blog.justcollect.com/1952-topps-mickey-mantle-rookie-discovered-after-decades-in-shed-on-farm)with a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle discovered in an old barn!
- [**Two 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie cards** ](https://blog.justcollect.com/two-1979-o-pee-chee-wayne-gretzky-rookies-purchased-by-just-collect)- a pair of rookies from the Great One!
- [**1990's Precious Metal Gem** ](https://blog.justcollect.com/rare-1990s-basketball-precious-metal-gems-cards-more-purchased)basketball cards include some of the rarest, most sought-after cards in modern history.
- [**The Aaron Judge Collection **](https://blog.justcollect.com/aaron-judge-rookie-card-collection-including-rare-autographs-purchased)with high-end one of one cards and multiple rookie autos.
- [**Topps Venezuela Collection** ](https://blog.justcollect.com/1964-venezuela-topps-collection-including-willie-mays-purchased)including a scarce Willie Mays card.
## SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
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## WE ARE ALWAYS BUYING
Just Collect is always buying vintage sports and non-sports cards from 1879 to 2009 as well as select modern cards. If you have a collection that you are considering selling, contact us today to discuss or get our industry-leading purchase offer. If you have a collection that you want appraised, please [contact us](https://www.justcollect.com/contact-us/) and we would be happy to discuss your collection and help you understand the real cash value of your collection in the current marketplace. Check out the [Just Collect Buy List.](https://blog.justcollect.com/cs/c/?cta_guid=6a909dd5-6e0a-4b19-b5a1-b0b0e9f1ef2c&signature=AAH58kGzS6Yz95AEt0wNwJEumEuHGtgM7A&pageId=64275156786&placement_guid=4e6389e1-eaa4-48c1-89b8-5cc4ef48dd31&click=c533d1b3-08af-40e1-822a-b0533d721adb&hsutk=b19d955f366e11618723e903e9464f35&canon=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.justcollect.com%2Ffrom-trash-to-treasure-t206-collection-includes-ty-cobb-and-rare-backs&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.justcollect.com%2F&portal_id=8091373&redirect_url=APefjpEsjp8tlYws7icmtNuwsHgJTJJWzhDnvcbsjVuKKsLMv-AAN3fiVpUjTNpM4CNGpsV7xQKZtS57VMmGpZeDrIShoX6AFv02MLYFiOrWZ7_7hSbeCvgKCimpCezjvX1Ascrf1T2CXCOiLaUewApyPRcRuNceBVzhAO7-wfDceN64yHUBXLLkPe_P6QiTdWg4gRKXfhfESkogij8tSQUkx2Fea-2bSTRLIuaYibdubYzsLgBF_83SRnTY-_2BQbULlUQmTYABTvsrhnlWHZKlnMwX4lOYj81HW2PkcpX8_DZnN1MgIyRYfCoFCoait0bymId5AZPV&__hstc=67069361.b19d955f366e11618723e903e9464f35.1609887032860.1642958029750.1644085992598.149&__hssc=67069361.9.1644085992598&__hsfp=3090268638&contentType=blog-post)
We always offer a FREE APPRAISAL for your collection here at the Just Collect site. Just click here:
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/8091373/70669083-5410-444d-9b11-c153b8670ccd)
We offer many ways to evaluate your cards other than or using our website, too.
- Travel to Us
If you can make the trip here like the son from my hometown did for this collection- we can make a deal at the office. We once met a father-son duo that drove eight hours from Virginia to meet us to sell a Michael Jordan rookie card stored in Tupperware since 1986 - great read [here](https://blog.justcollect.com/the-1986-fleer-basketball-tupperware-collection).
- Come to convention
We keep a [LIST ](https://www.justcollect.com/travel-schedule/)of card shows we'll be attending. Come stop by the Just Collect table and chat.
- Meet in-person
If you have a valuable collection and want us to come to you, we'll hop on the next plane out.
- Meet in New York City
If you're near New York City and would like to meet in a public place, our owner, Leighton, would be happy to meet you; read all the information [here](https://justcollect.com/sell-in-nyc/).
- [SHIP](https://www.justcollect.com/how-to-package-your-sports-cards-for-shipping/) your collection
If you choose to mail your cards for an appraisal, we will evaluate your cards for FREE still. If you choose not to sell the cards, we'll ship them back shipping fees paid by us! We can offer our FedEx account with 2-day shipping, fully insured, all covered by us. Simply contact the office to set up this option.
## OUR BUYING PHILOSOPHY
We've run into a wide range of people and collections over the last 25 years. Although Just Collect is known for buying vintage sports cards and especially vintage baseball cards, we are also extremely interested in buying non-sports cards, too!
Every collection and every collector is different and we treat EVERY collection with the respect and attention that we show for our own collections. We understand that many have put their heart and souls into building their collections. So when you're ready to sell, we [understand the feelings that you're going through](https://www.justcollect.com/emotional-difficulty-of-sending-your-collectibles-through-the-mail/) and will work with you to help you reach a decision that is a WIN/WIN, because if you're not happy, we're not happy.
## CONTACT US ANY TIME
Whether you have vintage cards or modern wax you want to sell, you can reach out to us any time!
- [JustCollect.com](https://www.justcollect.com/contact-us/)
- (732) 828-2261
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- Post right here on the blog
- [Michael Jordan Rookie](https://blog.justcollect.com/tag/michael-jordan-rookie) [1986-87 Fleer Basketball](https://blog.justcollect.com/tag/1986-87-fleer-basketball) [1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan](https://blog.justcollect.com/tag/1986-87-fleer-michael-jordan) [Michael Jordan](https://blog.justcollect.com/tag/michael-jordan) [1986 Fleer](https://blog.justcollect.com/tag/1986-fleer)
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