1997-98 MJ Sign Of The Times Auto Sells for $207K

1997-98 SP Authentic Sign of the Times is one of the core on-card autograph runs of the late 1990s, and Michael Jordan sits at the center of that story. A recent sale at Goldin on 01/04/26 put a spotlight back on this issue: a 1997-98 Upper Deck SP Authentic Sign Of The Times Stars & Rookies #MJ Michael Jordan signed card, graded PSA NM 7 with a PSA/DNA MINT 9 autograph, closed at $207,400.

In this breakdown, we’ll look at what this card is, how it fits into the wider Jordan autograph market, and what this particular result tells us about current demand.

The card at a glance

• Player: Michael Jordan
• Team: Chicago Bulls
• Year: 1997-98
• Set: Upper Deck SP Authentic – Sign Of The Times “Stars & Rookies”
• Card #: MJ
• Autograph: On-card (signed directly on the card)
• Grading: PSA NM 7 for the card, PSA/DNA MINT 9 for the autograph
• Era: Late-1990s, early modern insert/auto era

The Sign Of The Times line is one of Upper Deck’s most important signature inserts. In the late 1990s, on-card certified autographs of superstars were still relatively new compared to today’s products. This run helped define how collectors think about “pack-pulled autos” of legends, and Jordan’s card is a key piece of that history.

This is not a rookie card, but for Jordan collectors it’s a key issue: an on-card autograph from a respected, era-defining insert set, produced while he was still active during the Bulls’ second three‑peat window.

Grading and why PSA 7 / Auto 9 matters

This copy received:

• PSA NM 7 for the card itself (Near Mint)
• PSA/DNA MINT 9 for the autograph

For 1990s autograph inserts, surface, chipping on foil, and minor edge wear are common. That means even cards in the NM range can present well in hand.

The separate PSA/DNA autograph grade is important. A MINT 9 auto signals a strong, clean signature with no major streaking or fading. Many Jordan autos from this period show some variations in ink flow, so a high auto grade helps reassure buyers who are prioritizing signature quality over base card condition.

Market context: how does $207,400 fit in?

This Goldin result at $207,400 sits in the upper tier of Jordan 1990s autograph pricing, but still below the most extreme outliers like low-numbered 1997-98 PMG or Championship refractor-type grails.

A few key context points based on recent public sales and broader Jordan auto trends:

• Sign Of The Times MJ across grades: Lower graded copies and cross-brand on-card Jordan autos from the late 1990s have typically appeared in a wide band below this result, with realized prices stepping up sharply as you move into stronger grades, stronger auto grades, or especially clean copies in BGS 9/10 auto or PSA 8–9/10 auto.
• Auto grade premium: Jordan certified autos with a strong autograph grade (PSA/DNA 9 or 10, or BGS 10 auto) have consistently attracted a premium over similar card grades with weaker or ungraded autos. The $207,400 price aligns with that pattern, where the eye appeal and strength of the signature help pull the card upward.
• Insert-era Jordan autos: Within Jordan’s 1990s autograph portfolio, SP Authentic Sign Of The Times sits in an important tier—below the most legendary, ultra-scarce inserts, but clearly above most later, high-volume autographed releases. Public comps for equivalent Jordan autos from similarly respected 1990s inserts have generally trended upward over the last few years, even as more speculative modern segments cooled.

Taken together, this sale appears strong but not irrational for a well-regarded, on-card Jordan auto from a cornerstone 1990s set with a high autograph grade. It reflects sustained demand for 1990s Jordan ink, especially in brands and inserts with real historical weight.

Why collectors care about 1997-98 SP Authentic Sign Of The Times

For newer collectors, it can be easy to lump all Jordan autographs together. But specific 1990s sets carry very different levels of hobby respect.

Reasons this card draws attention:

1. On-card autograph from the 90s
   Jordan did not sign in every product, and the number of true pack-issued, on-card Jordan autos from his playing days is relatively contained compared to modern superstars. Sign Of The Times is one of the lines that serious Jordan collectors keep coming back to.

2. Set pedigree
   SP Authentic built its name on cleaner designs and a more premium feel compared to base flagship issues. The Sign Of The Times inserts helped anchor SP Authentic as a true “autograph destination” brand. For the late 1990s, these cards helped collectors transition from chasing base rookies and parallels into chasing certified ink.

3. Era and nostalgia
   The 1997-98 season sits squarely in the Bulls dynasty mythology. For many collectors who watched those runs live, 1997-98 products carry strong nostalgia. That emotional tie often supports long-term demand, even when the broader market moves up and down.

4. Supply and grading reality
   While exact PSA population numbers can change as more copies are graded, the key takeaway is that there are far fewer of these than of modern mass-produced Jordan tribute or reprint autos. On top of that, scoring a high card grade can be challenging due to foil, edges, and the handling required for on-card signatures.

How this sale fits into the broader Jordan market

The Jordan market is not one single lane. It includes:

• Flagship rookies (1986-87 Fleer)
• Early Star Company issues
• High-end 1990s inserts and parallels (Precious Metal Gems, Jambalaya, etc.)
• 1990s and early 2000s certified autographs
• Modern tribute, reprint, and multi-signature autos

This $207,400 result reinforces a few ongoing themes within that ecosystem:

• Quality 1990s Jordan autos remain a priority lane. Even as some speculative modern cards cooled, demand for core 1990s Jordan autos from key sets has stayed comparatively resilient.
• Autograph quality matters. A PSA/DNA MINT 9 auto is a clear selling point. Collectors are increasingly differentiating between clean, bold signatures and those with streaking or fading.
• Set reputation is powerful. Not all on-card Jordan autos are treated equally by the market. SP Authentic Sign Of The Times benefits from being a historically respected insert run, not just a random autograph subset.

What newcomers and small sellers can take from this

Most collectors will never chase a six-figure Jordan autograph. But there are still useful takeaways from this Goldin sale on 01/04/26:

1. Understand the set, not just the player. When researching a card, look at the specific set and insert. A Michael Jordan autograph from a deep-cut 2000s product does not carry the same weight as one from a core 1990s release like Sign Of The Times.

2. Learn how grading splits work. For autographed cards, the card grade and the autograph grade both matter. A mid-grade card with a high autograph grade can sometimes outperform a slightly higher card grade with a weaker signature.

3. Use comps carefully. “Comps” (comparable recent sales) work best when you adjust for condition, autograph grade, and exact set. Comparing this PSA 7 / Auto 9 directly to a raw or ungraded auto, or to a different 1997-98 Jordan insert, can be misleading.

4. Think in terms of lanes, not just price points. You can apply the same reasoning at more accessible levels. For example, within your budget, you might prioritize:

   • Strong, clean autos over weaker signatures
   • Respected brands and inserts over generic sets
   • Cards with clear, documented pack-issued autographs over gray-area or unofficial items

Final thoughts

The 1997-98 Upper Deck SP Authentic Sign Of The Times Stars & Rookies #MJ is a cornerstone 1990s Michael Jordan autograph, and this PSA NM 7 with a PSA/DNA MINT 9 signature selling for $207,400 at Goldin on 01/04/26 underscores how collectors continue to value that combination of era, brand, and on-card ink.

For seasoned Jordan collectors, this sale fits the broader pattern: scarce, historically important 1990s issues, especially with strong autograph grades, continue to command attention. For newer collectors, it’s a clear case study in how set identity, autograph quality, and grading all intersect to shape outcomes in the high-end market.

As always, these results are snapshots, not promises. But they offer a useful data point for anyone mapping out their own path through the Jordan landscape—from more attainable inserts to long-term grails that define whole collections.