Sports memorabilia like basketball cards can be very expensive, especially those featuring legends like Michael Jordan. Since Jordan is considered one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest player, basketball cards, especially those signed by him, tend to fetch very high prices.
For example, a Michael Jordan 1986 Fleer rookie card signed by the legend is estimated to sell for up to $3 million, according to Forbes.
In addition to the card’s rarity, the Chicago Bulls legend’s signature is believed to be one of the reasons the card fetched an estimated seven-figure price tag. However, the signature on this particular card seems to be causing the price to move in the opposite direction.
According to a tweet from Darren Rovell, the card is currently up for auction and is worth just $31,625, well below its estimated value of $3 million.
According to the tweet, cards featuring Michael Jordan and his signature might be more expensive “if the pen had done its job.” While there’s no more information on what exactly went wrong with the pen, or how it affected the signature on the card, it’s a safe bet that card collectors don’t think it adds a lot of value to their collections.
The auction will end on October 17, and the card’s current price is likely to increase, although its value may not reach $3 million.
Also read: Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan was called a “bad role model” by Tupac Shakur and his murder suspect Keefe D was arrested nearly 30 years later.
A Michael Jordan signed basketball card sold for $1.44 million
While the final price of the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan card has yet to be determined, we can take a look back at one of the most expensive basketball cards ever sold.
An autographed 1997 Upper Deck game jersey signed by MJ sold for a whopping $1.44 million at an auction hosted by Heritage Auctions. The card features Jordan’s image during the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, when he scored 18 points. At the same event, “Magic” Johnson returned.
The person who purchased the card is not being named as they wish to remain anonymous, but whoever that person is, they own one of the most iconic pieces of sports memorabilia.