Michael Jordan

Market outlook

Declining Outlook 3/10

Recent sales show 16.7-25.7% price drops in 30 days; oversupply of 1990s commons and waning nostalgia for non-rookie Jordan cards.

Next months. Continued soft prices $2-4 raw, stable graded mid-grades

Long term. Stable low value as affordable entry-level Jordan card, unlikely to rise significantly

History

Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, played for the Chicago Bulls during their dominant 1990s dynasty, winning six NBA championships (1991-1993, 1996-1998). This 1996 Fleer #13 card captures him in his final Bulls prime, post-first retirement, during the 1995-96 season where he averaged 30.4 points per game and led the Bulls to a record 72-10 regular season.

Released in 1996 as part of the 1996-97 Fleer basketball set, distributed primarily in the United States through hobby shops, retail outlets, and wax packs.

• Base card from Fleer's main set during Jordan's record-breaking 72-win season
• Iconic image of Jordan in his red Bulls jersey, highly recognizable
• Produced during the height of basketball card boom, but post-1990s overproduction era

Rarity and print run

Tier

Common

Print run

Very High

First printed in

1996-97 Fleer

Demand

Low

Supply

Abundant

• Mass-produced base card from high-volume set
• No serial numbering or inserts
• Abundant raw supply depresses value

Collector notes

Condition. Check for edge chipping and surface scratches common on Fleer cards from this era; centering often off by 60/40 or worse; watch for print defects like wax stains or roller marks on glossy finish.

Storage. Store in semi-rigid top-loaders with sleeves in cool, dry environment away from sunlight; use card savers for raw copies to prevent surface wear.

Authenticity. Beware of 1996 Fleer 'Decade of Excellence' inserts which have gold imprint distinguishing them from base; genuine cards have sharp Fleer logo and no pixelation; graded/graded grading recommended for high value; fakes rare due to low value but check print quality.