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Last Updated On: September 15th, 2024
If you’ve been here before, then chances are you know all about our love of all things Michael Jordan. In the basketball card arena, collecting MJ cards stands as a path of its own. And while a ton of attention goes to Jordan’s 1986 Fleer rookie card, recently we highlighted a lower-pop alternative for the contrarian collector.
In this post, we’ll build on that trend by highlighting seven undervalued 90s Michael Jordan cards. We’ll explain the criteria for our selections and discuss why each card made the list, including insights on graded population data and prices. Plus, we’ve added a comparison table featuring higher value Jordan cards that we hope these will eventually become.
We’re not promising our picks will make it into the top 10 of Jordan 90s Fleer Inserts, but they could be great investments over the long term nonetheless.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Overview & Criteria for Selection
Before digging into the specific cards, let’s set our criteria. First, we’re interested in cards with low population figures (including low pop growth) and the opportunity for future price appreciation. Cards with lower value and lower pop counts suggest it hasn’t quite broken through to the mainstream yet. Conversely, cards with a high pop count and low value could mean the card’s bubble has already burst.
Second, we’re focused on a low Gem Mint rate with PSA. This rate tells how how often a card is graded as Gem Mint. For example, if a particular card is graded 100 times by PSA and only five are assessed as PSA 10, the Gem Mint rate would be 5%. The Gem Mint rate addresses scarcity, a vital indicator of a card’s value. The lower the rate, the rarer a PSA 10 is overall, and in a game of squeezing as much value from a card as possible, every percentage point counts.
Third, we’re comparing undervalued 90s Michael Jordan cards on this list to other Jordan cards with similar qualities. Here, the goal isn’t to find an obviously inferior card; instead, the objective is to find a card that looks and feels on par with the higher value alternatives.
This brings us to the X-factor: design and aesthetics. Ultimately, some cards are valued higher because they are more desirable. It’s no secret that collectors are drawn to gold, flash, and pizzazz.
Thus, while we want to hunt for hidden gems using traditional criteria like scarcity, quality, and potential to increase in value, desirability is a trait that should be given great weight. For example, most Michael Jordan Scoring Kings inserts are flashy and valued significantly more than others.
One final note — our focus when comparing cards below will be PSA 10s. However, there’s no reason lower grades like PSA 9 Mint or alternative graders like SGC can’t meet the same criteria and are worth purchasing.
High-Value MJ Cards for Comparison (Table)
While the card market has undoubtedly cooled since the spike in the early 2020s, the following table proves there is still a thriving market for the right type of card. Here are a handful of high-value Jordan cards to use as a comparison for the cards on this list.
| MJ Card in PSA 10 | Pop Count (Gem Rate) | Date Sold | Price |
| 1995 Stadium Club Warp Speed #WS1 | 50 (3.51%) | Sep. 8 2024 | $5,880 |
| 1993 Ultra Power In The Key #2 | 46 (2.05%) | Sep. 8 2024 | $6,600 |
| 1997 Metal Universe #23 | 146 (2.43%) | Aug. 27 2024 | $3,939 |
| 1995 Hoops Skyview #SV1 | 53 (15%) | Aug. 18 2024 | $3,720 |
| 1997 Ultra Gold Medallion #23G | 63 (7.88%) | Aug. 25 2024 | $3,360 |
| 1995 Hoops Hot List #1 | 27 (4.13%) | Aug. 28 2024 | $3,200 |
| 1995 Flair Hot Numbers #4 | 232 (33.72%) | Sep. 8 2024 | $2,520 |
| 1996 Upper Deck Smooth Grooves #SG8 | 49 (14.12%) | Aug. 25 2024 | $2,250 |
Here’s the proof. Let’s take the highest-valued card on this list, the 1993 Ultra Power In The Key #2. The traits above fit that card: low pop, low Gem Mint rate, and a classic 1990s feeling. At $6,600 in value, one could be optimistic in finding cards that can appreciate in value similarly.
Let’s see how the cards listed above stack up to our picks for some of the more undervalued 90s Michael Jordan cards.
Undervalued Jordan Cards
1995 Hoops Number Crunchers PSA 10
- PSA 10 Pop Count: 59
- Gem Mint Rate: 5.8%
- Recent Sale Price: $1,020 on Sept. 8, 2024
Why we love it: Good luck finding a card that feels more like the 1990s than this one. Between the color scheme, the other-worldly design, and the classic Jordan tongue-out lay-up, this Number Crunchers insert oozes nostalgia. Part of a special 25-card series, the Number Crunchers insert honored players who attained impressive stat lines the season before.
At just 59 total Gem Mints and a Gem Mint rate below 6%, it bears some resemblance figures-wise to the 1997 Ultra Gold Medallion #23G, minus the price tag. Plus, why stop at the Jordan insert? The entire set pays homage to 90s basketball royalty and includes Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and Gary Payton.
1998 Metal Universe Michael Jordan #1 PSA 10
- PSA 10 Pop Count: 30
- Gem Mint Rate: 2.61%
- Recent Sale Price: $1,683.78 on Sept. 8, 2024
Why we love it: Jordan’s 1998 Metal Universe may be the only base card on this list, but it’s a beautiful one. At a wickedly low pop count and tantalizingly low Gem Mint rate, it bears some similar stats to the 1995 Hoops Hot List #1.
But what if we compare the ’98 Metal Universe to the ’97 edition? We see just how undervalued the former card is to the latter. With roughly 20% of the Gem Mint pop and close to the same Gem Mint rate, the premium paid for the first year Metal Universe ’97 card is nearly twice the sophomore ’98 release, and appears outsized to us. The ’98 is similarly an incredibly significant card given it shares the same photo as the popular Precious Metal Gems parallel which sells for over six figures. For those reasons, we think the 1998 Metal Universe base card has plenty of room to increase in value.
1995 Fleer Total D #3 PSA 10
- PSA 10 Pop Count: 83
- Gem Mint Rate: 7.67%
- Recent Sale Price: $669 on September 6, 2024
Why we love it: Part of the 1995 Fleer set, the Total D insert honored 12 of the game’s best defenders. While picky collectors might balk at the idea of a horizontal card (we grant they aren’t for everyone), there’s quite a bit to like about this card.
Inserted into one in every five packs of Fleer sets, there’s something simple and elegant about the portrait. There’s no Space Jam-esque background or faded backing; the high-rez picture of Jordan about to go to work feels right.
We’re already seeing some signs that this card is moving. Eighteen months ago, this card could be had in Gem Mint condition for less than $300. Now, the card sells for between $400 and $600 generally.
1998 Ultra Gold Medallion #85G PSA 10
- PSA 10 Pop Count: 78
- Gem Mint Rate: 8.43%
- Recent Sale Price: $1,170 on August 11, 2024
Why we love it: You might have noticed the 1997 Gold Medallion on the table above, which is valued at around $3,360. For a third of the price, however, you can get the 1998 version of the card. From a design aspect, the ’98 is hardly an inferior product; we’d argue that the gold theme of the ’98 card makes for a more on-point design. Add in the disrespect Jordan shows to Knicks star Charles Oakley, and the ’98 card is a cold one.
This card also has a brand-backed guarantee. Gold Medallion is a well-known commodity; its quality is baked into the name itself. As collectors continue to be priced out of the 1997 Gold Medallion, they might turn to the next year to own a piece of Jordan’s history.
1995 Ultra Double Trouble Gold Medallion #3 PSA 10
- PSA 10 Pop Count: 40
- Gem Mint Rate: 10.84%
- Recent Sale Price: $1,500 on Aug. 9, 2024*
Why we love it: We’re so high on Gold Medallion as a brand we couldn’t resist adding one more: the 1995 Ultra Double Trouble Gold Medallion Michael Jordan #3. While the Gem Mint rate is a bit higher than our other selections, it’s well within range, especially considering the values put up by the pricier cards in the table above.
You may notice the asterisk on the recent sale price number. Before this sale, the card lingered between $900 and $1,100. There are two ways to take the $1,500 figure; first, it’s an outlier. On the other hand, it could be a very early indicator that the card is generating some interest in the hobby and commanding a higher sale price. Either way, it’s likely not too late to get this card in the $1,000 range, hold, and sell for more down the line.
1995 Ultra Fabulous Fifties #5 PSA 10
- PSA 10 Pop Count: 24
- Gem Mint Rate: 4.32%
- Recent Sale Price: $1,140 on Aug. 11, 2024
Why we love it: With its 1995 Fabulous Fifties inserts, Fleer Ultra paid respect to players who managed a 50-point game the season before. In fairness, it’s a bit of a crapshoot of a list (kudos to those who were there for Dana Barros’ 50-point explosion in 1995). The Fabulous Fifties were inserted into one in every 12 packs.
While some may feel the checkerboard pattern lacks the sort of X-factors to boost a card’s value, I like it. Additionally, while this card eclipsed the $1,000 mark recently, it’s tended to go for closer to $600. If you do go hunting for this card, keep in mind that Ultra printed an even rarer (1:120 pack odds) Gold Medallion version of the same.
1997 Flair Hardwood leaders #4 PSA 10
- PSA 10 Pop Count: 46
- Gem Mint Rate: 8.66%
- Recent Sale Price: $710 on Aug. 5, 2024
Why we love it: Though Ultra began the Hardwood Leaders insert the year before, in 1996, the 1997 version of the Jordan card is undoubtedly the one to target. With excellent pop count and Gem Mint stats, this card is also one of the cheapest buys on the list.
One player from each team was selected as its representative in the Hardwood Leaders set, making it an excellent full set to chase. Not only is Jordan included, but others like Anfernee Hardaway, Reggie Miller, and Shareef Abdul-Rahim all stand out as 90s studs in the set.
Bonus Picks: Stadium Club Members Only Parallels
Every single card on this list was printed in 1995 or later. But that hardly means there aren’t any undervalued 90s Michael Jordan cards to be found at the start of the decade. Take the Stadium Club Members Only series that proliferated the decade.
While the 1992 Members Only Beam Team is a bit pricy (currently valued by Card Ladder at $6,671 in Gem Mint), the 1994 version is significantly cheaper but comes with all the criteria we’re looking for: only 59 PSA 10s and a Gem Mint rate of 16.2%. The card’s most recent sale was for $950 in August 2024, which is a hair down from its Card Ladder value of 1,089.
Undervalued Jordan Cards on eBay
Given the low population of the cards (in PSA 10) talked about throughout this post, checking eBay often is key to find one available on auction. The following auction listings are currently up for grabs. The search and sort can be adjusted for specific Jordan cards in any grade as desired.
Conclusion
It’s hard to go wrong investing in a Jordan card, especially an undervalued 90s Michael Jordan card. It may not carry the same weight as a rookie card, but Jordan’s status allows his cards to transcend the traditional modes of collecting.
As a result, we’re allowed to get creative in our targets, hence this list of under-the-radar cards worth a gander. The best part – this entire process is easily replicable across sports and players. For example, you could run the same analysis with Tom Brady, widely considered the football GOAT (we even have a head start for you!). You could also run this test with a player’s specific type of card, like Jordan’s Credentials series or popular Star cards.
It’s impossible to know for sure which of these cards (if any) will reach the levels of the eight high-level ones discussed at the beginning of this article. The best we can do is take all of our knowledge, hope we have good taste, and click “bid now.”