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1997 Michael Jordan PMG Green and Red

There's a new most valuable Michael Jordan card in history in town - extraordinary prices recently seen for the 1997 Michael Jordan PMG Green and PMG Red.
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Unfortunately I never got around to posting about these two amazing PMGs while they were available on open auction. However, in the interest of documentary, I figure it’s worthwhile to post now even considering the cards both ended at auction some time back.

Michael Jordan PMG Green

In early 2019 PWCC - a well known high end auction house - listed for sale the 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan PMG Green. The PMG Green is serial numbered to ten and is considered by many to be the most sought after and valuable Michael Jordan card ever made. The same seller had also consigned several other PMG Greens and Reds to PWCC.

1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan PMG Green and PWCC lot
1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan PMG Green and PWCC lot

The Jordan PMG Green listed by PWCC - 006/100 - was authenticated by PSA and unfortunately determined to be altered. Interestingly PWCC disputes PSA’s assessment that the card was altered stating they believe the issue to be wear to the right edge. Some very interesting discussion took place over at Blow Out forums on the topic.

However the alteration/right edge wear/debate over PWCC’s refutation of PSA decision didn’t deter interest by the community at large - the card quickly reached half a million dollars in bids!

It was obvious the bids were not authentic however and PWCC ended the auction early stating bidders would need to be vetted before relisting the card at a later date.

After a period to allow vetting, the card was again listed for sale where only registered bidders could bid. Well known high end Michael Jordan cards collector Nat Turner won the auction at $305,100. See the listing here.

The $305,100 paid for the Michael Jordan PMG Green #6 is the largest amount ever paid for a Michael Jordan card in a public sale. It is the third most paid for any basketball card in public sale in history behind George Mikan RC PSA 10 at $403,664 in 2015 by SCP Auctions and Lew Alcindor RC PSA 10 at $501,900 in 2016 by Heritage Auction.

Completed listing of the Jordan PMG Green auction won by Nat Turner
97-98 Michael Jordan PMG Green
97-98 Michael Jordan PMG Green
One of the greatest cards ever made is the Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems Green - or Emerald as it was inspired by designer Jean MacLeod's favourite gem. It features stunning green foil and is limited to 10 copies.

Michael Jordan PMG Red

Straight off the back of this mammoth and record-breaking sale PWCC also listed a stunning Michael Jordan PMG Red that had received a Ex - Mt 6.5 grade from PSA.

The PMG’s are extremely condition sensitive cards suffering from just about every possible condition issue conceivable straight out of the pack. This PMG Red is a very fine example of the Michael Jordan offering from Metal Universe in 1997. In fact PWCC went as far as to state they believe the card exhibits “NM-Mint+ to Mint qualities in almost every way”.

Unsurprisingly the card sold for an extraordinary amount reaching $63,100. In 2012 a BGS 9.5 copy of the card sold for over $40,000. See the listing here.

1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan PMG Red
Completed listing of the Jordan PMG Red auction
97-98 Michael Jordan PMG Red
97-98 Michael Jordan PMG Red
The famous Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems Red - or Ruby as it was inspired by the gem - features stunning red foil and is limited to 90 copies.

The 1997 Metal Universe base card

These cards are both part of the 1997 Skybox Metal Universe set and are in fact parallels of the base card. The flow on affect from these extraordinary sales prices - and the accompanying media coverage which included a lot of mainstream outlets - has even made its way down to the base card from which the PMGs begin.

The card, which previously could be bought in nice condition for few dollars, suddenly surged to the $100+ realm on the back of the hype.

A month later and asking prices look to have dropped slightly but still do push the $100 range for nice condition copies.

97-98 Michael Jordan Metal Universe
97-98 Michael Jordan Metal Universe
The base card from which the 1997 Red and Green PMGs are paralleled.

The interest in 1997 Metal Universe PMGs

It may surprise some readers to know that the PMGs from the 1997 Metal Universe set were not always respected and sought out as they are today. They certainly were not considered the best Michael Jordan cards around in the late 90s.

The card earned itself somewhat of a cult following around 12 years ago and has seen a significant growth since then. Spurred on by the growth of communities of collectors over the internet and 90s nostalgia these cards have soared to become considered the best Michael Jordan cards ever made by many collectors.

The PMG Green is now officially the most valuable.