Michael Jordan 1996 Upper Deck Chicago Bulls 1 Troy Oz .999 Fine Silver Commemorative Round
Coin/Bullion (Silver Round) · The Upper Deck Company, a premier American trading card and sports memorabilia firm founded in 1988, known for high-quality authenticated collectibles.
Pattern: 1996 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Commemorative Series, specifically honoring his career accolades up to the first three-peat.
Type
Coin/Bullion (Silver Round)
Maker
The Upper Deck Company, a premier American trading card and sports memorabilia firm founded in 1988, known for high-quality authenticated collectibles.
Material
.999 Fine Silver (Pure Silver); contains 1 Troy Ounce of silver with no base metal content.
Dimensions
Weight: 31.1 grams (1 Troy Ounce); Diameter: Approximately 39mm (Standard silver round size).
Description
A high-purity commemorative silver round celebrating the legacy of Michael Jordan. The piece displays a matte frosted silhouette of Jordan in mid-air against a reflective silver background. It serves as a historical record of his early-to-mid career dominance, capturing his status as an Olympic Gold Medalist and multi-time MVP before his final titles.
Key Features
Sanctioned Upper Deck branding, .999 silver purity stamp, iconic Bulls logo, and bulleted list of 1990s-era career statistics.
Material & Composition
.999 Fine Silver (Pure Silver); contains 1 Troy Ounce of silver with no base metal content.
Finish & Decoration
Proof-like finish with frosted relief (cameo effect) on a mirror-polished field. Features the Chicago Bulls logo, Jordan's 'Jumpman' silhouette, his jersey number 23, and a list of career achievements in raised lettering.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped along the top rim with '1 TROY OZ. .999 FINE SILVER' and along the bottom right with '©1996 THE UPPER DECK COMPANY'.
Construction Details
Modern die-struck bullion production; machine-pressed with precision dies to achieve high detail in the relief and a reflective proof-like field.
Functional Features
Commemorative bullion piece with no currency face value; intended for collectors and precious metal investors.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Reeded or smooth rim coin-edge design).
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality commercial minting; the contrast between the frosted (matte) silhouette and the mirror-like field demonstrates excellent die preparation common to premium 1990s collectibles.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic Upper Deck typography and logo styling; clear, deep strike of the .999 fineness mark; weight should be exactly 31.1g upon testing.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States; manufactured for or by The Upper Deck Company as part of their licensed NBA memorabilia line.
Era & Period
Modern Era (1990s Sports Memorabilia boom); designed during the height of the Chicago Bulls' second 'three-peat' championship run.
Age Estimate
Produced in 1996 based on the copyright date and the specific career statistics listed on the reverse (mentioning 3-time NBA Champ).
Cultural Significance
Represents the intersection of the 1990s bullion investment market and the massive global 'Jordan-mania' cultural phenomenon.
Condition Notes
Appears to be in Excellent to Near-Mint condition; shows light surface handling marks; minor toning or 'milk spots' common in 90s silver may be present but not visible in the primary image.
Value Estimate
$45.00 - $85.00 USD; value is driven by both the spot price of silver and a premium for Jordan collectors and Upper Deck enthusiasts.
Care & Maintenance
Store in a PVC-free plastic capsule (Air-Tite) to prevent oxidation; handle only by the edges with cotton gloves to avoid fingerprint oils which cause permanent staining.
Similar Pieces
Enviromint Michael Jordan silver rounds, Highland Mint commemorative coins, and various NBA licensed 1oz silver medallions by Scottsdale Mint.
Interesting Facts
This round was released shortly after Jordan's return from his first retirement; it lists '3-time NBA Champ,' dating it specifically before the 1996-1998 title wins were added to later versions.