The early 1990s made inserts the heartbeat of basketball cards, and Fleer Ultra was right in the middle of it. Power in the Key debuted in 1993–94 Ultra Series 2 as a nine-card insert built around the NBA’s strongest paint scorers. Michael Jordan anchors the run at card number 2, and three decades later it is still one of the most recognizable 90s MJ inserts.
What the card looks like in hand
Power in the Key has a heavy, textured foil front that catches light like brushed metal. The background sits behind a full-bleed action image with a bold “Power in the Key” mark, and the design relies on color and texture rather than die-cuts or gimmicks. The back keeps Ultra’s clean stat layout and a short write-up. Copies that were stored well still glow under strong light, which is why this insert presents beautifully in a slab.
Where it sits in the checklist and how hard it was to pull
The insert lives only in 1993–94 Ultra Series 2, nine cards total, with Jordan at number 2 alongside Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, and other stars. Pack odds were roughly one Power in the Key in every 37 Series 2 packs, so even during a high-production era it was a genuine chase from wax.
Why condition swings the price
Foil is both the appeal and the challenge. Edges show tiny white flecks quickly if a card ever rattled in a shoebox. Surface lines, faint dimples, and light scratches reveal themselves only when you tilt the card under direct light. Bricking can happen in sealed boxes, so gentle separation sometimes leaves micro marks on the finish. Centering varies enough that off-center copies are common. All of this keeps true high-grade examples scarce compared to the number of cards that exist.
How the market is pricing it right now
You shared a fresh run of September 2025 sales that paints a clear picture by grade. PSA 8s have clustered in the low to mid 300s this month, including 319.99 on September 19 and earlier buy-it-now results at 335 and 350, with one best-offer outlier at 440. PSA 7s are typically landing between about 150 and just over 200 depending on centering and photography, with recent results at 154.99, 185, 185 again, and 206.99. PSA 6s have ranged widely from about 80 at auction to roughly 160 on fixed-price listings, which is the usual spread when eye appeal lifts a mid-grade. A PSA 5 at 100 fits the same logic. At the top of the graded ladder, a late-August PSA 9 auction came in at 1,336 after competitive bidding, a number that lines up with how sharply prices can jump when centering and surfaces cooperate.
Card Ladder’s PSA 10 record provides the cleanest read on the absolute ceiling. The latest PSA 10 sale is recorded at 14,000 on September 15, 2025, with a PSA 10 population of 46 on the page. That single data point explains why many collectors target centered, clean 8s and 9s for long-term displays, while true gems sit in a different budget conversation.
How to inspect a raw copy quickly and safely
Start with centering, both directions, then check for any slight tilt. Run your eyes around the borders and logo edges, since misalignment shows up there first. Tilt the card under bright, direct light and scan the foil for hairline roller marks, tiny dimples, or light scratches. Check corners and all four edges for micro chipping. Flip the card to the back to confirm there are no deep scratches or pressure marks that cap the grade. If it passes those checks, sleeve it immediately before you decide whether to grade.
Simple grading expectations
A sharp PSA 8 with great centering looks terrific in a case and avoids the steep premium of the top tier. PSA 9 examples can move dramatically higher when eye appeal is elite. PSA 10 remains a true trophy because so few copies survive without edge or surface blemishes.
Context for the set and why this insert still matters
Power in the Key shares a release window with Ultra’s Scoring Kings, and the two inserts tell the story of 1993–94 Ultra from different angles. Scoring Kings is neon lightning; Power in the Key is industrial strength, bold foil, and star power near the rim. If you are building a small 90s Jordan insert lane, these two often sit side by side.
A short reference you can keep in your notes
Set: 1993–94 Fleer Ultra, Series 2
Insert: Power in the Key, nine cards, Jordan is number 2
Pack odds: about 1 in 37 Series 2 packs for the insert run
Latest PSA 10 sale on Card Ladder: 14,000 on September 15, 2025, PSA 10 pop 46
Buying or selling tips that actually help
Ask sellers for one extra photo under natural light; foil flaws hide in dim rooms. Judge centering at arm’s length before you zoom in. When two copies carry the same grade, pick the one with the cleaner surface and balanced borders. For storage, soft sleeve first, then a new top loader or semi-rigid so dust does not drag across the foil. If you display the card, a neutral backdrop keeps the color contrast crisp and makes the textured finish stand out without glare.
