Michael Jordan 1997 PMG Red Tops $1 Million at Alt

Rare Michael Jordan PMG Red Sets New Auction Record

A rare Michael Jordan card from 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems finished at more than $1 million at Alt Auctions, setting a new record for the card in the same grade. The red PMG, numbered 52 out of 100 and graded BGS Near-Mint 8, had already climbed to $962,502 after 19 bids with two days left in the auction before the final price surged even higher.

Including buyer's premium, the card closed at $1,473,989.

Why This Jordan PMG Stands Out

The card is one of the most recognizable Michael Jordan inserts from the 1990s and carries strong visual appeal thanks to its Bulls color match. The front shows Jordan stretched out toward the basket in a white Bulls uniform, with the image capturing the kind of airborne action that defined many of his most famous highlights.

Released during the middle of the Chicago Bulls' second three-peat championship run, the card also has the kind of era-specific significance that continues to drive demand among collectors. The red PMG parallel is especially notable because of its rarity and its connection to one of the most collected players in the hobby.

Back Design and Serial Numbering

The back of the card includes the serial number stamped below Jordan's 1996-97 and career statistics, along with a bust shot of Jordan in his road red Bulls uniform. The combination of serial numbering, player selection, and the PMG design has made the card one of the most sought-after basketball inserts from the decade.

Previous BGS 8 Sale Was Far Lower

According to Card Ladder, the last sale of this same card in BGS 8 came on June 1, 2024, when it sold through Goldin for $298,900 after 20 bids. The Alt result more than tripled that figure, showing just how much momentum has built around high-end PMGs.

The card at Alt also surpassed the last recorded sale of the same card in a higher grade. Card Ladder notes that a BGS 8.5 example sold for $651,333.60 on December 6, 2025, also through Goldin, after 46 bids.

The PMG Market Keeps Rising

The latest Jordan sale is another example of how strong the Precious Metal Gems market has become. Cards that once would have been considered outliers are now reaching new levels, especially when they involve elite players, strong eye appeal, and low serial numbers.

The source also pointed to the broader PMG market beyond Jordan. A PSA 6 copy of Nomar Garciaparra's 1998 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems, numbered to 50, sold for $5,600 on eBay on August 6, according to Card Ladder. While that card is from a different player and set, it underscores how demand for PMGs has expanded across the hobby.

What This Sale Means for High-End Basketball Collectors

Jordan remains one of the most powerful names in sports cards, and PMGs continue to be among the most closely watched inserts in the hobby. When a BGS 8 example of a numbered 1997 red PMG can outperform older sales by such a wide margin, it reinforces how much attention these cards can draw at auction.

For collectors tracking the high-end basketball market, the Alt result adds another major data point for one of the most iconic Michael Jordan inserts ever produced. It also suggests that rare PMGs, especially those tied to superstar players and strong visual design, remain capable of setting new benchmarks when they surface publicly.