What is a refractor? That is almost a philosophical question. It's a brand name used and trademarked by Topps. So, none of the cards made by Panini or other manufacturers qualify. Even though the Panini-made Holos and Prizms are basically the same thing, for others, the word describes a card by any company with certain properties. Namely, a trending card with a reflective coating that shows rainbow-like colors when shown in different angles.
It's sort of like whether you like to call any bubbly white wine champagne, or if you are all look, it must come from the historical province of Champagne, located about 100 miles east of Paris. We aren’t snobs here so we will go with any refractor from any company. All we care about is whether it has pretty rainbow colors and has Michael Jordan’s grinning (or tongue-wagging) face on it. The rest is just details.
Michael Jordan Refractor Cards
Either way, Michael Jordan is best known for his Topps and Upper Deck cards. Panini became the exclusive sports card producer for the NBA in 2009. By then, MJ had been retired for three years. So, even though his most famous card is that 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan rookie card, most of the legend's biggest cards were Topps. After all, they had the rights for the league throughout the 1990s, making up most of Jordan’s peak years. And of course, there were no refractors before 1993. That was the year Topps first introduced this innovation in its 1993 Topps "Baseball's Finest" set.
But Topps is not Michael Jordan's card company of choice. In 1992, the Bulls superstar signed an exclusive agreement with Carlsbad, California-based company Upper Deck. Jordan has extended his contract with the company ever since. The last time came in 2015. The company continues to enjoy a monopoly on issuing MJ auto cards. The deal is mostly concerned with autos and memorabilia. However, as a result of their association with Jordan, Upper Deck has also issued some of his best refractor cards.
1997 Topps Generations Michael Jordan Refractor #G2
A PSA 10 has a value of $3,382.
What is it about this card that works? It really shouldn’t. On any level, it seems like something of a trainwreck. None of the parts of the background seem even remotely compatible. The blue lettering is somewhat out of focus. The purple shapes between MJ’s legs look very out of place, and the lettering on the left is almost primitive. Adding to it all, the card is die-cut, which was not all that common at the time. But like many of the coolest cards, the 1997 Topps Generations Michael Jordan Refractor #G2 is greater than the sum of its parts. It stands as a distinctive, attractive, and desirable 1990s Michael Jordan refractor card.
The Topps Generations refractors were a die-cut 30-card set describing the impact of important players on the league. For example, this card discusses, “Jordan’s contributions to the game of basketball transcend generational boundaries. His peerless ability, boundless charisma, and limitless appetite for victory have made him a legend in his generation and a paradigm for the next”. There are a lot of great players in this set. Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan really stand out. It seems like a fun complete set to pursue.
The card also enjoys a low population. With under 150 PSA-graded copies, the card is undervalued. Therefore, it could prove one of the best investments in this strong list.
1997 Upper Deck UD3 Holofoil Refractor Michael Jordan #MJ3-3
A PSA 10 has a value of $1,037.
Although refractors were relatively new on the market in 1997, Upper Deck was already innovating the format at this early stage. The refractor card has a beautiful, still striking, jagged, staggered right edge starting with an incline from the left. The 1997 Upper Deck UD3 Holofoil Refractor Michael Jordan #MJ3-3 was a die cut before they were truly popular. But the shape is like none I have seen before or since.
Jordan appears on the card in trademark scoring position, with the words champion and MVP emblazoned in various ways on the card. The design isn’t for everyone but is original and completely unforgettable. The card tells us MJ is a 4-time MVP. which was true at the time, but he would go on to win a fifth one in 1998. That is just how Jordan rolled.
1992 Panini Sticker Foil Michael Jordan #102
A PSA 10 has a value of $4,550.
Technically, this sticker is not a refractor. The term hadn’t even been invented yet. But the 1992 Panini Sticker Foil Michael Jordan #102 is at least the daddy of the refractor. And look, it has MJ doing something cool, and the light moves when you shift the card around. So, let's just call it a refractor and be done with it.
Remember, at this point, Panini was still a purely Italian operation. But that year they decided to put out an NBA release, and it is very unique and worth seeking out. And that is why this sticker has that tacky Euro trash feel that works so well.
1997 Topps Chrome Season’s Best Michael Jordan Refractor #6
A PSA 10 has a value of $3,573.
Considering his tenure in Space Jam and the way he defied gravity on the court, Michael Jordan is basically a cartoon character. Therefore, the awesome Saturday morning style design of the 1997 Topps Chrome Season’s Best Michael Jordan Refractor #6 is very fitting.
Everything in this design is perfect for furthering a somewhat surrealistic but childlike universe in which MJ is plowing his basketball brilliance. In comparison to some of the other Michael Jordan refractors of the 1990s, the population count for this item is a bit high. Therefore, it may not be the best investment of the bunch. But you could argue it has the most fully realized visual concept.
1993 Topps Finest Michael Jordan Refractor #1
A PSA 10 has a value of $43,200.
The 1993 Topps Finest Michael Jordan Refractor #1 may not be the most beautiful, but it's the first Michael Jordan refractor card ever, and its price is absolutely stunning. Jordan's face is darkened in a weird and unflattering way. And it looks like he is wearing glasses. The card has everything going for it. A bold and innovative design that stands the test of time. It launched the refractor era in basketball cards collecting, which makes the #1 one of the most important cards of the decade from a historic perspective.
Keep in mind that this card isn’t all that rare. It's not numbered and could be found in 1993 Topps Basketball Finest Basketball card packs. There are 862 graded copies of this item, and 43 of them are PSA 10s. But despite a relatively high pop count for a refractor, the historical significance will guarantee strong long-term value.
1996 Bowman’s Best Atomic Refractor Michael Jordan #80
A PSA 10 has a value of $13,800.
The image for this baby is an absolute classic Jordan shot, capturing the man at his most dominant when the Bulls were utterly indestructible. Aside from the top-notch picture, the lettering stands out to me. The large separated J is the touch that makes it stand it in an arrangement that, to me at least, is stupendous. Furthermore, I think we can all agree that the Bowman's Best logo is one of Topps best. And when you hold the 1996 Bowman’s Best Atomic Refractor Michael Jordan #80 in your hands, the shimmering of the gold is incandescent.
There was no particular historic significance for this MJ card. Therefore, it took a while for collectors to give this Atomic Refractor the attention it deserves. But the rising prestige of Atomic Refractors and the exceptional aesthetics of the card have seen its PSA 10 value rise from $600 in 2016 to almost $14,000 today. There are only 133 PSA-graded items, so the value will likely continue to soar.
1997 Topps Rock Stars Michael Jordan Refractor #RS1
A PSA 10 has a value of $6,157.
If you like the 1990s trashy aesthetic, I am talking Saved By The Bell and MTV style; this is the card you want. The 1997 Topps Rock Stars Michael Jordan Refractor #RS1 uses the refractor technology to the best advantage of the questionable tastes of a simpler and tackier time.
One thing I enjoy about this card is how typical it is of the inserts of the 1990s. But it still has the value of a high-end refractor. Why? Landing a Rock Stars insert in 1997 Topps Basketball was fairly easy. They came in 1:36 packs. But the refractors were hard to hit at 1:144 odds. And of course, Jordan’s were even more difficult to land. So there are only 309 of these graded and a mere 69 PSA 10s.
1996 Topps Chrome Michael Jordan Refractor #139
A PSA 10 has a value of $25,100.
The classic Topps Chrome format is one of the most beautiful and familiar for basketball card fans. And the 1996 Topps Basketball release was the first ever. Surprising right? It seems like those cards have been around for far longer. But that is because they have filled our life with substance and sustenance. The chromium finish looks like it was invented for Jordan and his dominant move for the basket. Indeed, the 1996 Topps Chrome Michael Jordan Refractor #139 is a fine specimen of a card. It also helps that there is a good deal of historical importance, as the landmark first set in this release. The pale blue is an absolutely perfect choice for the borders, complementing the powerful picture in a subtle and unexpected way.
The card is already worth quite a bit. But here is the good news for collectors. Fanatics is bringing Topps Chrome back to the NBA in 2024. Therefore, the logo in the top right-hand corner is set to become even more iconic than it is today. That should do wonders for value.
1998 Topps Chrome Michael Jordan Refractor #77
A PSA 9 has a value of $12,100.
If you like the most classic and classy kind of refractor design, this is one of the finest specimens of that available. The combination of the Jordan name on the back of the jersey and the Bulls logo in the top right-hand corner, alongside the subtle but effective colors of the refractory rainbow here, make this a one-of-a-kind. In some ways, the ultimate Michael Jordan refractor card.
The data for sales does not tell the full story of the 1998 Topps Chrome Michael Jordan Refractor #77’s value. There are very few of these cards around, only 68. And they don’t seem to grade well either, as there are only two gem mints, and there has never been a PSA 10 sale. So, these cards are worth a good deal more than the price above. And for very good reason.
1996 Finest Gold refractor (with coating) Michael Jordan (Rare) #291
A PSA 10 has a value of $14,000.
There are beautiful sports cards. And then some cards are works of art. The 1996 Finest Gold refractor (with coating) Michael Jordan (Rare) #291 crosses that boundary from the popular to the conceptual. The refractors came with a protective coating, which many collectors foolishly removed. But the cards, complete with the protection, are much more valuable. And strangely enough, the industrial-type lettering adds to the unique visual effect of this card.
You may be wondering why the card is marked “Rare.” At the time, Magic: The Gathering was a big game. I know I played it back then. And many sports releases were copying their common, uncommon, and rare tiers. Panini Select still kind of does that. So, how rare were these cards in practice? There are only 91 of these and a mere 12 PSA 10s. These are strong cards, aside from their uncommon (or should I say rare) beauty.
Final Word On The Top 10 Most Beautiful Michael Jordan Refractor Cards
The selection of Michael Jordan refractor cards from the 1990s is incredible. He was the focus of the hobby, so every well-thought-out design was made with MJ in mind. And not surprisingly, the images used on his cards are, therefore, generally first-rate. The end result is a stunning array of refractors, which we have only scratched the surface of here.
Meanwhile, the cards are relatively scarce. Usually numbering in the low hundreds. Sometimes less than 100. So, even though the Jordan refractors come late in his legendary career, they have strong value. And in the case of the low-population cards, values may get significantly higher in the future.
