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The Jordan Supreme Court Card: Why Your 1993 Insert Is Worth $5, But The Other Is Worth A Fortune

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The Michael Jordan "Supreme Court" card is one of the most confusing collectibles in the hobby today, and the difference between a few dollars and a potential four-figure payday hinges on two critical details: the year and the manufacturer. As of late 2025, the market for Michael Jordan memorabilia remains white-hot, but many collectors—new and old—mistakenly believe the common 1990s Hoops insert is a high-value rarity. This deep-dive article will clarify the confusion, provide the most current auction data, and explain the true "Holy Grail" of the Supreme Court lineage.

The term "Supreme Court" actually refers to a series of popular but mass-produced insert cards from the early 1990s, primarily from the NBA Hoops brand. However, a much rarer, high-end card from the modern Upper Deck era also uses a similar "Supreme Hard Court" name, and this is where the real value lies. Understanding the distinction is key to navigating the Michael Jordan trading card market.

Michael Jordan Supreme Court Card: The Complete History and Variations

The "Supreme Court" designation was a popular insert set in the early 1990s, designed to showcase the league's top players. These cards are instantly recognizable by their distinct design, often featuring a patterned background or a unique border that set them apart from the base set cards. The set was not exclusive to Jordan, featuring other NBA legends like Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone.

1. The 1991-92 Hoops Supreme Court (#455)

This is the first iteration of the "Supreme Court" insert. It was part of the massive 1991-92 NBA Hoops set, which was heavily printed. The Jordan card, numbered #455, is a classic but widely available collectible.

  • Year: 1991-92
  • Set: NBA Hoops
  • Card Number: #455
  • Current Value (Raw): Typically under $1.00.

2. The 1992-93 Hoops Supreme Court

Following the success of the first set, Hoops released a second "Supreme Court" insert in their 1992-93 product. Like its predecessor, this card is a common find in collections from the "Junk Wax Era."

3. The 1993-94 Hoops Supreme Court (#SC11) - The Most Common

The 1993 Hoops Supreme Court card, numbered #SC11, is the most frequently discussed and sold version of the vintage insert. This card is a staple of 90s basketball card collecting, but its mass production means raw copies hold minimal value today.

  • Year: 1993-94
  • Set: NBA Hoops
  • Card Number: #SC11

Current Market Value: 1993 Hoops Supreme Court Price Analysis (2025 Update)

The market has clearly defined the value of the 1993 Hoops Supreme Court #SC11. For collectors hoping to retire on this card, the news is sobering: the raw, ungraded version is essentially a common card.

Raw Card Value:

Recent sales data from late 2025 shows the raw (ungraded) Michael Jordan 1993 Hoops #SC11 Supreme Court card selling for an average of approximately $4.35 to $4.48.

Graded Card Value (The Only Path to Profit):

The only way to achieve a significant return on this particular card is by securing a top-tier grade, such as a PSA 10 Gem Mint. The card’s condition is paramount due to the high population count.

As of a recent sale on December 17, 2025, a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy of the 1993 Hoops Supreme Court #SC11 realized a price of approximately $383.08. Other grading companies show similar values: an SGC 10 sold for $230.00, and a CGC 10 sold for $306.00. While a few hundred dollars is a respectable return on a card that was once a pack pull, it pales in comparison to Jordan's true high-end cards.

Population Report Insights

The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) Population Report confirms the card's commonality. The number of high-grade copies is relatively high, which suppresses the price. For the 1993 Hoops Supreme Court #SC11, a large volume has been submitted for grading, making a PSA 10 a difficult but necessary target for serious value.

The True Rarity: Michael Jordan's Modern "Supreme" Cards

If you hear a collector discussing a "Michael Jordan Supreme Court" card with a five-figure price tag, they are almost certainly referring to a modern, ultra-premium card from the Upper Deck (UD) Hardcourt or Supreme Hard Court product lines. These cards are not inserts; they are limited-edition relics and autographs that are genuinely scarce.

The 2016-17 Upper Deck Supreme Hard Court Quad Relic Autograph

This is the card that provides the true "Supreme" value. Released years after the Hoops inserts, this card is a premium collectible that features multiple game-used memorabilia swatches and, often, an on-card autograph from Michael Jordan himself.

The "Quad Relic" means the card includes four pieces of game-used material, typically from a Chicago Bulls jersey. These cards are highly limited, with some numbered as low as /23 (reflecting Jordan's iconic jersey number) or other low print runs.

  • Manufacturer: Upper Deck (UD)
  • Set Name: Supreme Hard Court / Hardcourt
  • Key Feature: Quad Relic (4 game-used swatches) and Autograph
  • Rarity: Sequentially numbered (e.g., /23)
  • Current Value: Sales for the autographed, low-numbered versions of the Supreme Hard Court cards often reach into the high four and low five figures, depending on the number of swatches and the condition. These are the cards that truly command a premium in today's market, representing the pinnacle of modern Jordan collecting.

The confusion between the 1993 Hoops Supreme Court and the 2016-17 Upper Deck Supreme Hard Court is a classic case of similar names for vastly different products. The Hoops card is a nostalgic piece of cardboard; the Upper Deck card is a piece of authenticated, limited-edition memorabilia.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

To summarize the Jordan "Supreme Court" landscape, remember these key entities and terms that define the market:

Card Entities: 1991 Hoops Supreme Court, 1992 Hoops Supreme Court, 1993 Hoops Supreme Court (#SC11), 2016-17 Upper Deck Supreme Hard Court, Upper Deck Hardcourt, Quad Relic, Autograph, Game-Used Memorabilia, Michael Jordan Rookie Card (for context), 1986 Fleer (for context).

Market & Grading Entities: PSA 10 Gem Mint, SGC 10, CGC 10, Raw Card, Population Report (POP Report), Auction Prices Realized, Sports Card Investor, Junk Wax Era, Chicago Bulls, NBA Hoops, Basketball Card Collecting, Trading Card Market, Serial Numbered Cards (/23).

The next time you pull a "Supreme Court" card, check the year first. If it's a 1993 Hoops, cherish it for the nostalgia and the legend it represents. If it's a modern, thick Upper Deck card with a relic or an autograph, you might be holding a true rarity that is worth a substantial investment in the current 2025 market.

michael jordan supreme court card
michael jordan supreme court card

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