2001-02 MJ Comeback Quad Jersey /23 Sells for $29K

On May 8, 2026, Goldin closed a notable Michael Jordan sale that caught the attention of high‑end basketball collectors: a 2001-02 Upper Deck MJ Comeback Commemorative Quad Jersey #CCQ1 Patch card, serial numbered 13/23 and graded PSA NM-MT 8, realized $29,890.

For a post-playing-career Jordan insert, this is a meaningful result. Let’s unpack why this card matters, how it fits into the MJ market, and what the price tells us about current demand.

The Card at a Glance

• Player: Michael Jordan
• Team featured: Washington Wizards (MJ comeback era)
• Year: 2001-02
• Set: Upper Deck MJ Comeback Commemorative
• Card: Quad Jersey Patch
• Card number: #CCQ1
• Serial numbering: 13/23 (only 23 copies produced)
• Grading company: PSA
• Grade: NM-MT 8
• Attributes: Multi-color patch piece, low print run, commemorative comeback insert (not a rookie card)

This is not a rookie or playing-days Bulls flagship card. Instead, it’s a short-print, memorabilia-heavy insert celebrating Jordan’s 2001 return to the NBA with the Wizards. The combination of a low serial number out of 23 and a premium patch makes it a niche but important target within the broader Jordan memorabilia lane.

Why the 2001-02 MJ Comeback Cards Matter

Jordan’s Wizards years used to be something many collectors glossed over. Over the last decade, that’s changed, especially for:

• Low-serial inserts and patches that mark his return to the floor
• 2001-02 Upper Deck and Fleer-era memorabilia that captured game-used swatches in more creative formats

The MJ Comeback Commemorative cards sit right in that zone. They speak to:

• A specific narrative: the surprise return after retirement, at age 38, in a different uniform.
• The transition era of the hobby: early 2000s, when game-used memorabilia cards were still relatively new and not yet overproduced.

For collectors who already own the key Bulls pieces (rookies, 1986-87 Fleer, essential 1990s inserts), this type of card often becomes a “second-phase” target: something that adds depth to a Jordan PC (personal collection) rather than serving as the cornerstone.

Grading and Scarcity

The card is serial numbered 13/23, meaning only 23 copies exist of this specific patch version.

• Print scarcity: Even before grading, this is a low-population card by design.
• Graded population: PSA and BGS pop reports (population reports, which show how many copies of a card have been graded at each grade) for this exact serial run are thin. You will often see only a small handful graded at all, and very few at the top grades.
• PSA 8 context: NM-MT 8 is solid for a thicker, patch-style card from this era, which is prone to edge and corner wear. There may be a couple of higher-graded copies, but supply is inherently constrained by the 23-copy print run.

For a piece like this, the grade matters, but the serial number and eye appeal of the patch often matter just as much. Collectors weigh:

• How clean the corners and edges are
• Whether the patch has multiple colors or stitching
• The overall centering and surface

Market Context and Recent Sales

For context, we look first at comps (comparable recent sales of the same card or very similar variants). With a /23 card, the comp set is naturally very small:

• Exact serial-number matches and identical grades may not appear often at public auction.
• Similar MJ comeback-era low-serial patch cards in PSA 8 to PSA 9 grades have tended to land in the mid–five-figure range in recent years, depending heavily on the brand, patch quality, and design.
• Key 2000s MJ patch/inserts from recognized brands (Upper Deck, Exquisite, SPx, SP Game Used) have seen steady interest from advanced collectors, even during broader hobby cooling phases.

Given that backdrop, the $29,890 result for this PSA 8 copy falls into what can reasonably be described as a strong but not shocking outcome for a low-serial Jordan patch from a branded Upper Deck commemorative release. It shows that:

• High-end MJ memorabilia cards remain relatively resilient.
• Collectors still attach meaningful value to his Wizards-era story when it’s tied to a scarce, well-presented card.

Because there are only 23 copies and few public auctions, it is hard to declare this a true “record” or a complete market reset. Instead, it fits as a data point that confirms continued demand for low-serial Jordan memorabilia with a clear theme and strong provenance.

How This Card Fits into the Wider Jordan Market

Jordan’s card market can be thought of in layers:

1. Iconic Core: Star Co. issues, 1986-87 Fleer, key early Fleer and Upper Deck, and cornerstone 1990s inserts.
2. Premium 90s Inserts and Autos: Essential Credentials, Jambalaya, PMG (Precious Metal Gems), on-card signatures, etc.
3. High-end Game-Used and Patch Cards: Limited-run memorabilia from the late 1990s and early 2000s, including some of the early Exquisite and Upper Deck patch cards.
4. Thematic and Narrative Pieces: Cards that tell a specific story (All-Star, championships, records, or in this case, the Wizards comeback).

This 2001-02 Upper Deck MJ Comeback Commemorative Quad Jersey #CCQ1 patch card sits at the intersection of layers 3 and 4:

• It is a premium memorabilia card with a very low print run.
• It is also a story card, pointing directly to Jordan’s return to the court after retirement.

Collectors who are already deep into Jordan’s Bulls history sometimes look at the comeback cards as a way to round out their narrative. Newer or returning collectors may find them more accessible than the truly blue-chip pieces while still feeling connected to a major chapter in Jordan’s career.

Era and Production Considerations

The early 2000s era is important here:

• Not vintage, not modern ultra-high-print: We’re past the heavy-junk-wax period, but still early enough in the memorabilia era that true /23 patch cards were not being mass-produced across dozens of parallel tiers.
• Production quality: Card stock, patch window design, and foil stamping from this period often hold up reasonably well, but thick patch cards still suffer from common condition issues.

That balance—limited print plus relatively early memorabilia design—helps cards like this stand out versus later, more layered parallel structures where scarcity can be confusing for newer hobbyists.

What the $29,890 Sale Suggests

While every auction has its own dynamics (bidders, timing, visibility), this Goldin sale provides several takeaways:

• Jordan memorabilia is still a target for serious collectors. Even outside his Bulls peak, key story-driven pieces can command mid-five-figure prices.
• True scarcity matters more than label buzz. A clean, well-presented /23 patch with a clear narrative can attract strong bids even if it’s not from the most famous MJ set.
• Graded but not gem-mint is acceptable at this level. For a thick patch card like this, PSA 8 is often seen as a reasonable grade; collectors focus on the patch and overall eye appeal.

It is important to frame this sale as price context, not a prediction. Low-serial cards can swing noticeably from auction to auction, depending on who shows up and what else is on the market at the same time.

For Collectors: How to Think About a Card Like This

If you’re a newcomer or a returning collector trying to understand where a card like this fits into the hobby, consider these points:

1. Decide what story you want your collection to tell.
   If you want to cover Jordan’s full career arc, including the Wizards era, comeback-themed cards like this are logical targets.

2. Know your tiers.
   This is a high-end, short-print memorabilia card. It’s not an entry-level card. There are more affordable Jordan Wizards-era inserts and jerseys if you simply want representation without chasing a /23.

3. Look beyond the grade.
   For patch cards, evaluate patch quality, color, stitching, and how it looks in the slab. Many advanced collectors will choose a strong PSA 8 or PSA 9 with a standout patch over a technically higher grade with a less appealing swatch.

4. Check multiple data points.
   When possible, view recent sales across marketplaces and auction houses (Goldin, PWCC, Heritage, eBay, etc.). For a card numbered to 23, you may have to broaden to similar MJ patch cards from the same era to get a sense of the general range.

5. Separate appreciation of the card from expectations of price movement.
   Enjoy the story, design, and history first. Treat sale prices, including this $29,890 result, as information—not a promise.

Final Thoughts

The 2001-02 Upper Deck MJ Comeback Commemorative Quad Jersey #CCQ1 Michael Jordan Patch Card (#13/23) in PSA NM-MT 8 selling for $29,890 at Goldin on May 8, 2026 is a clear signal that:

• Story-driven, low-serial Jordan memorabilia remains in demand.
• Early 2000s patch cards tied to specific career narratives still carry weight with advanced collectors.
• Even outside the Bulls era, Jordan’s cardboard continues to command premium attention when the scarcity and design are there.

For collectors and small sellers, this sale is a helpful reference point when evaluating other high-end MJ memorabilia from the early 2000s—especially pieces that, like this one, tell a well-defined story from one of basketball’s most watched comebacks.