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The 1986 Fleer basketball card set is considered one of the most valuable and important sports card sets of all time. It is famous for including the Michael Jordan rookie card, considered the most important basketball card. The set also includes cards of several other legends and Hall of Famers, including Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing. When trying to determine if a 1986 Fleer basketball card is original, collectors can look at the card's stock, as Fleer started printing on glossy stock in 1987, so an original 1986 card would not be glossy. Collectors can also look for a sequence in the packs, as there are two sequences inside an 86-87 Fleer pack that go in opposite directions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Card stock | Not glossy |
| Most valuable cards | Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Johnny Moore, Chris Mullin, Larry Bird |
| Grading | PSA 8 or 9 |
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What You'll Learn
Check the card stock: glossy indicates a reprint
The 1986 Fleer basketball card set is highly sought-after by collectors today, driven by Michael Jordan's iconic card #57. However, the cards were unpopular upon their release, and boxes of the 1986 Fleer cards did not sell well, often not even reaching $10 at retail locations.
If you are looking to identify a reprint of the 1986 Fleer basketball card, one key indicator is the card stock. Check the texture and finish of the card—if it is glossy, it is likely a reprint. Fleer started printing on glossy stock in 1987, so the presence of gloss on a 1986 Fleer basketball card is a telltale sign that it is not an original.
To aid in your inspection, consider purchasing a common card from the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball set. This way, you can familiarize yourself with the stock, weight, gloss, and overall feel of an authentic card from that era. You can then use this as a reference point when comparing suspected reprints.
It is worth noting that reprints may vary significantly in quality, with some being obvious fakes due to poor print quality, while others may only have slight discrepancies. Thus, it is essential to examine the cards closely and trust your instincts if something seems off.
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Look for a visible top card, which may be Michael Jordan
When looking for an original 1986 Fleer basketball card, one of the key things to look out for is whether a Michael Jordan card is visible on the top of the pack. This iconic card, featuring Jordan in an iconic moment soaring towards the basket, is card number 57 in the series and is considered by many to be the most important basketball card in the hobby.
The presence of this card as the top card in the pack is a strong indicator of the authenticity of the pack as an original, unopened 1986 Fleer basketball card pack. This is because the Michael Jordan rookie card is highly sought-after by collectors and is considered the "holy grail" of basketball cards. As such, it is unlikely that a pack with this card visible on top would have remained unopened for long after its release.
The 1986 Fleer basketball card set was initially treated as "junk wax" when it was first released, and it did not sell well, with boxes often failing to sell for even $10 at retail locations. However, over time, the set has become one of the most popular collectibles in the hobby, driven by the iconic status of the Michael Jordan card. As a result, unopened packs with the Jordan card visible on top are now highly valued by collectors.
If you are lucky enough to come across an unopened pack with the Michael Jordan card on top, it is worth noting that the card's value can be affected by factors such as its condition and any markings on the card. For example, the presence of red maker marks on the bottom corners of the card may decrease its value in the eyes of some collectors. Nonetheless, the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card remains one of the most sought-after and valuable basketball cards in the world, and its discovery as a top card in an unopened pack would be an exciting find for any collector.
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Check the card sequence: Fleer packs from this era follow a specific order
When authenticating an original 1986 Fleer basketball card, it is important to check the card sequence, as the packs from this era follow a specific order. The 1986-87 Fleer Basketball card packs are known to have a particular sequence, with the cards arranged in a specific order within the pack.
The sequence within the packs can be crucial in determining the authenticity of the cards. While the card on the top of the pack may be visible, it is important to understand that the sequence can "flip" randomly. This means that while there is a definite sequence, it is not always perfect, and the cards can sometimes be found in a different order within the pack.
The 1986-87 Fleer Basketball card packs are said to have two sequences that go in opposite directions. For example, if the top card is #1, the third card will be #2, and the second card will be random. From there, the sequence will continue in descending order. This alternating pattern creates a parallel reverse alphabetical order sequence, with the cards 66 cards apart.
Additionally, it is important to note that the packs also include stickers. These stickers are randomly paired with the cards but follow the same mathematical insertion rate. For instance, a pack may include a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sticker on the back, which is a valuable find in itself.
The sequence of the cards within the packs is an important aspect of authenticating original 1986 Fleer basketball cards. While the sequence can vary due to the random "flip," understanding the general order of the cards can help collectors and enthusiasts identify potential anomalies or tampered packs.
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Look for the BBCE authentication sticker
When looking for BBCE authentication, collectors should look for a sticker on the pack that confirms it has been BBCE-certified. BBCE, or Baseball Card Exchange, is the standard for box authentication. The owner of BBCE, Steve Hart, personally handles and authenticates boxes that come to BBCE.
Collectors should look for BBCE authentication because the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball packs were never factory-sealed, and individual packs can be resealed. Therefore, collectors should only buy graded packs that have been certified as untampered.
BBCE has specific criteria for authenticating a box of 86-87 Fleer. Firstly, they check to make sure all of the packs are original and untampered with. Then, they determine if the box is original as it was issued from Fleer or if it was a box built together with packs from different locations. This second step is more difficult as they have to check the sticker count, the centering on the wrappers, and the colours of the wrappers.
BBCE has also released a statement about 1986 Fleer Basketball collation runs within the packs. The cards come in the packs in reverse alphabetical order (Z to A) in 2 separate groups separated by 66. This pattern is very consistent throughout the print run for 1986/87 Fleer basketball. However, there have been some anomalies. For example, a few years ago, someone was looking through the backs of the packs and found a Pittsburgh Pirates logo card and another pack had a Kansas City Royals card on the back.
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Check the centering and colours of the wrapper
When it comes to verifying the authenticity of the 1986-87 Fleer basketball card packs, one crucial aspect to scrutinize is the centering and colours of the wrappers. Ensuring consistent wrapper centering and colours across all packs is essential. The 1986-87 Fleer basketball card packs are known for their coloured borders surrounding the images, making them highly susceptible to chipping. Even the slightest touch can reveal the white cardboard underneath, impacting the overall aesthetics and value of the cards.
To ensure the authenticity of the wrappers, collectors should examine the centering of each wrapper. Centering plays a pivotal role in determining the value of the cards, with even slight deviations from perfect centering reducing the card's worth. Collectors should scrutinize the positioning of the images and text on the wrappers to ensure they are centred and symmetrically aligned. Any offset or skewed positioning may indicate inconsistencies in the printing process or potential tampering.
In addition to centering, the colours of the wrappers are another vital aspect to consider. The 1986-87 Fleer basketball card packs are known for their vibrant and consistent colours. Collectors should examine the wrappers for any noticeable variations in colour shades or tones. Fading or discolouration of the wrappers may indicate exposure to sunlight or extreme temperatures, suggesting improper storage conditions. Consistent and vivid colours on the wrappers are indicative of their original state and add to the overall value of the card collection.
Moreover, collectors should be vigilant for any signs of edge wear or chipping on the wrappers. Due to the delicate nature of the coloured borders, even minimal handling can result in chips or tears. Inspecting the edges of the wrappers for any signs of damage is crucial, as pristine wrappers contribute significantly to the overall value and desirability of the card collection. Collectors should also be aware of potential re-sealing of the packs, as it is a common practice in the industry.
In summary, when assessing the authenticity and condition of the 1986-87 Fleer basketball card packs, collectors should pay close attention to the centering and colours of the wrappers. Consistent and precise centering, coupled with vibrant and uniform colours, are hallmarks of authenticity. Additionally, the presence of any chipping or edge wear on the delicate coloured borders may impact the value of the collection. By scrutinizing these factors, collectors can make more informed decisions about the authenticity and condition of their 1986-87 Fleer basketball card packs.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1986 Fleer basketball cards were printed on glossy stock, so the original cards will have a glossy finish. You can compare the card in question to other cards from the same year to see if they have a similar wrapper, colour, and finish. You can also check if the card has a visible sequence number and compare it to the known sequence of the packs.
The 1986-87 Fleer Basketball checklist consists of several Rookie Cards of legends and Hall of Famers, including Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing. The Johnny Moore card is also considered valuable as it is believed to be the toughest card to find in top condition.
If you have a complete set of 1986 Fleer basketball cards, you may want to consider getting them graded. You can submit the entire set for grading or just select certain cards. Companies like heritage and goldin specialise in high-end sports card sales and can help you with the grading process. They will take a cut of the sales proceeds, but they can also help you reach a wider audience of potential buyers.
