2009-10 Exquisite MJ Number Pieces Sells for $518K

A 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Number Pieces Autographs #NP-MJ Michael Jordan game-used patch autograph, numbered 07/23 and graded PSA Authentic with a PSA/DNA GEM MT 10 autograph, just sold at Goldin on March 8, 2026 for $518,500. For Jordan collectors and Exquisite fans, this is a meaningful data point in a segment of the market that rarely surfaces.

The card at a glance

• Player: Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)
• Year: 2009-10
• Set: Upper Deck Exquisite Collection – Number Pieces Autographs
• Card number: #NP-MJ
• Serial numbering: Hand-numbered 07/23
• Attributes:
  • On-card autograph (Jordan signed directly on the card)
  • Game-used multi-color patch
  • Low-serial print run /23
  • Premium Exquisite insert, not a rookie, but a key issue
• Grading:
  • Card: PSA Authentic (card itself is authenticated but not given a numerical grade)
  • Autograph: PSA/DNA GEM MT 10 (top condition grade for the signature)
• Auction: Goldin
• Sale date: March 8, 2026 (UTC)
• Sale price: $518,500

This card comes from Upper Deck’s Exquisite era, a period many collectors see as the blueprint for today’s high-end patch autograph products. The Number Pieces inserts are themed around the player’s jersey number—in this case, 23 total copies for Jordan.

Why the 2009-10 Exquisite Number Pieces Jordan matters

For newer collectors, “Exquisite” is shorthand for some of the most important modern basketball cards ever made. Introduced in 2003-04, the brand brought together:

• Limited print runs
• On-card autographs
• Large, often multi-color game-used patches
• High original price points and strict distribution

By 2009-10, Exquisite was firmly established as a prestige product. Within that product, the Number Pieces Autographs line sits near the top of the hierarchy: very low serial numbering tied to jersey numbers and strong design that showcases both patch and autograph.

Even though this is not a rookie card—Jordan’s key rookies are from 1984-85 Star and 1986-87 Fleer—it is considered a key modern-era Jordan issue because it combines three things high-end MJ collectors chase:

1. On-card auto – Collectors place a premium on signatures directly on the card instead of on stickers.
2. Game-used patch – Not just a jersey swatch, but a multi-color piece with visible texture and stitching.
3. Ultra-low serial number – Only 23 copies exist, aligning with Jordan’s iconic jersey number.

Understanding the grading: PSA Authentic, PSA/DNA GEM MT 10

This copy is labeled PSA Authentic for the card and PSA/DNA GEM MT 10 for the autograph.

• PSA Authentic (card): PSA confirms the card is genuine but does not assign a numerical condition grade (1–10). This can happen for several reasons: the card may have minor condition issues, the owner may have chosen authentication only, or PSA may have been asked to focus on the auto.
• PSA/DNA GEM MT 10 (autograph): This is the highest grade PSA/DNA assigns to an autograph. It reflects bold ink, strong eye appeal, and no noticeable flaws in the signature itself.

For a card like this, many advanced collectors care at least as much about the autograph grade and eye appeal as the card’s numerical grade. A clean, centered patch and a strong, streak-free signature can command serious attention even if the card is simply labeled “Authentic.”

Market context: where does $518,500 fit?

The high-end Jordan market has a long track record of strong sales for premium on-card auto / patch cards, especially from the Exquisite era. While Exact recent comps (comparable sales) for this exact serial-numbered copy (#07/23) are scarce, we can place this sale in a broader context:

• Exquisite MJ patches and autos: Past sales for top-tier Exquisite Jordan patch autos (for example, Limited Logos, Emblems of Endorsement, and other low-serial inserts) have reached well into six figures, with standout copies occasionally pushing beyond that depending on eye appeal, patch quality, and grading.
• Number Pieces specifically: The Number Pieces line generally trades at or near the top end of Exquisite MJ pricing, particularly when:
  • The card is low-serial (like /23 for Jordan)
  • The patch has multiple colors and strong visual appeal
  • The autograph is graded 10 by PSA/DNA or another major authenticator

Against that backdrop, $518,500 via Goldin fits into the upper end of what serious collectors have been willing to pay for elite, low-numbered Exquisite-era Jordan autos. It sits clearly in the high six-figure tier but still below the most famous MJ sales in the market (such as early Fleer rookies in top grade or 2003-04 Exquisite LeBron autos that have crossed the million-dollar mark).

Because this segment of the market sees relatively few transactions, each sale becomes a reference point rather than a definitive “market price.” The small sample size means that:

• A single strong or weak sale shouldn’t be read as a trend on its own.
• Eye appeal, patch layout, autograph strength, and even auction timing can meaningfully influence outcome.

Rarity and supply: why you don’t see many of these

There are only 23 copies of the 2009-10 Exquisite Number Pieces Autographs #NP-MJ in existence. Not all of them are:

• Graded by PSA
• Authenticated with a GEM MT 10 auto
• Publicly sold through major auction houses

On top of that, high-end Jordan collectors often have long-term mindsets. Once a desirable patch / auto lands in a strong collection, it can disappear from the open market for years.

This low visible supply is one reason comps can be hard to pin down precisely. When another copy appears, collectors and small sellers often look across related Exquisite MJ issues, not just this exact card, to build a pricing picture.

Where this sale fits in MJ’s broader card legacy

Michael Jordan’s card market stretches from 1980s vintage to ultra-modern inserts, but a few pillars repeatedly show up in high-end collections:

• Flagship rookies – 1986-87 Fleer, 1984-85 Star (with grading and authenticity nuances).
• Playing-days inserts and parallels – 1990s serial-numbered and foil/holo inserts from brands like SkyBox, Flair, and Finest.
• Exquisite era patch autos – On-card autos with game-used patches from early- to late-2000s Upper Deck Exquisite.

This 2009-10 Number Pieces Autographs card sits squarely in the third category. It isn’t Jordan’s earliest Exquisite appearance, but it carries forward the same design philosophy and scarcity that shaped the modern high-end market.

For many collectors, owning any Exquisite MJ patch autograph is a “grail-level” goal. Within that already rare group, a Number Pieces auto /23 with a GEM MT 10 signature and strong patch pushes even closer to the top of the pyramid.

What collectors can learn from this sale

Whether you’re just returning to the hobby or you’re already buying and selling high-end cards, this Goldin sale on March 8, 2026 offers a few practical takeaways:

1. Autograph grade matters. A PSA/DNA GEM MT 10 auto is a clear selling point. Even when the card is just labeled “Authentic,” a top-end auto grade can help support premium pricing.

2. Supply is extremely thin. For ultra-low serial numbered cards like this, there simply aren’t many public transactions. When researching value, it’s often useful to consider:

   • Similar inserts from the same set
   • Earlier Exquisite MJ patch autos with comparable numbering
   • Other high-end MJ autos with similar rarity and eye appeal

3. Set reputation carries real weight. Exquisite has a long-standing reputation among collectors. Cards from iconic high-end brands often show more stable demand than lesser-known products, especially over long time horizons.

4. Eye appeal is critical. For patch autos, not all copies are equal. Patch color, placement, and how clean the signature looks can all influence the final price, even at the same serial number and grade.

How small sellers and newer collectors can use this info

You don’t need to own a six-figure Jordan to learn from this sale. A few ways to apply these lessons on a smaller scale:

• Focus on strong autos. Even in lower price ranges, a bold, well-centered on-card autograph can be more desirable than a smudged or fading one.
• Pay attention to serial numbering. Short prints (SPs) and serial-numbered cards—especially those tied to jersey numbers—tend to be more collectible than mass-produced issues.
• Know your sets. Understanding which brands and years carry weight with collectors can help you identify overlooked cards in your own boxes or local shows.

Final thoughts

The $518,500 sale of the 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Number Pieces Autographs #NP-MJ Michael Jordan game-used patch auto (07/23), PSA Authentic with a PSA/DNA GEM MT 10 autograph, at Goldin on March 8, 2026 is another reminder of how deep demand runs for Jordan’s premium Exquisite-era cards.

For figoca users tracking sales data, this is a key reference point in the high-end Michael Jordan space. It doesn’t set a new all-time record for MJ cards, but it reinforces the position of Exquisite Number Pieces autos as some of the most respected modern Jordan issues in the hobby.

As always, treat this result as one data point among many. Use it to inform your research, not as a guarantee of future prices, and keep focusing on the fundamentals that matter most in the long run: authenticity, condition, set quality, and eye appeal.