Walter Payton played for the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons, during which he would dominate the league and become one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He won both a NFL MVP award and a Super Bowl during his career, and would be remembered as not only one of the greatest players but also as one of the greatest human beings to ever play the game of football. The 1976 Topps Walter Payton rookie card is very popular among collectors, which keeps the card in high demand.
Because football cards weren’t extremely popular in 1976, they weren't printed in massive quantities like cards often were in the 1980s and 90s. High grade Payton rookie cards aren't difficult to locate but his popularity with fans and collectors keeps prices strong.
In 2012, an example of this card graded at PSA 10 sold at auction for just under $3,900. There are, however, fewer than 40 that have been graded at PSA 10. Those graded at PSA 9 usually sell for $600 to $800, and examples at PSA 8 often sell for $200 and below. More than ten times as many Payton rookies have received the PSA grade of mint than gem mint, which is largely why those graded at PSA 10 are worth more than $3,000 more than those one grade below.
Payton's rookie card is one of the most sought after post-War football cards in existence. Centering is sometimes an issue with pre-1990s football cards but generally that isn't a problem with most Payton rookies.
The card was issued in an era when collectors occasionally saved boxes or even cases or discovered them in old stores or dealer stock and unopened 1976 Topps cello packs can be found on eBay with some featuring Payton on the front. These often sell for hundreds of dollars depending on grade with packs that show Payton bringing much more.
The 1976 Topps Walter Payton is a great potential investment but still within reach of collectors who simply want the peace of mind that goes with owning a graded card. Shop eBay to find a variety of graded Payton rookie cards at a level that's best for your budget.
| 1976 Topps Football #148 Walter Payton Rookie RC Bears HOF PSA 3 Very Good | |
 |
$29.98 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 17h 16m |
| 1976 topps #148 WALTER PAYTON bears rookie BGS BCCG 7 | |
 |
$99.00 Time Remaining: 27d 17h 37m Buy It Now for only: $99.00 |
| 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton RC Bears HOF PSA 5 | |
 |
$100.00 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 36m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
| 1976 Topps 148 Walter Payton Rc PSA 8 | |
 |
$255.00 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 49m Buy It Now for only: $255.00 |
| 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton PSA MINT 9 *0720 | |
 |
$800.00 Time Remaining: 28d 6h 13m Buy It Now for only: $800.00 |
| Autographed 1976 Topps Football Walter Payton Rookie Card Reprnt BGS 9.5 10 Auto | |
 |
$799.99 Time Remaining: 27d 13h 40m Buy It Now for only: $799.99 |
| 1976 Topps Walter Payton Rookie #148 SGC 8.5 Nm-Mt + 92 HOF | |
 |
$279.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 15m Buy It Now for only: $279.99 |
| 1976 Topps Walter Payton Rookie #148 Psa 8 Bears HOF!! (Centered!!) | |
 |
$299.99 Time Remaining: 28d 7h 52m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
| 1976 topps #148 WALTER PAYTON bears rookie BGS BCCG 9 | |
 |
$240.00 Time Remaining: 27d 17h 46m Buy It Now for only: $240.00 |
| 1976 Topps Football #148 Walter Payton SGC 88 Near Mint to Mint 8 | |
 |
$234.99 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 1m Buy It Now for only: $234.99 |
| 1976 Topps Football Card #148 Walter Payton PSA Graded 5 Vintage Bears | |
 |
$109.99 Time Remaining: 16d 13h 25m Buy It Now for only: $109.99 |
| 1976 topps walter payton rookie card - PSA 5 | |
 |
$115.00 Time Remaining: 12d 8h 27m Buy It Now for only: $115.00 |
| 1976 TOPPS #148 WALTER PAYTON HOF RC PSA 8 BEARS *11002 | |
 |
$299.00 Time Remaining: 6d 6h 55m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 |
| WALTER PAYTON BEARS 1976 TOPPS #148 ROOKIE CSA 10 GEM MINT (PSA 10 SMR IS $4200) | |
 |
$2,100.00 Time Remaining: 29d 3h 3m Buy It Now for only: $2,100.00 |
| 1976 Topps Football Walter Payton Rookie Card PSA 7.5 | |
 |
$229.99 Time Remaining: 13d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $229.99 |
| 1976 TOPPS #148 WALTER PAYTON BEARS HOF RC PSA 8 F1354531 | |
 |
$259.99 Time Remaining: 27d 8h 47m Buy It Now for only: $259.99 |
| 1976 Topps Walter Payton RC #148 Graded BGS/BVG 5.5 EX+ | |
 |
$129.99 Time Remaining: 18d 17h 44m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
| 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton RC BVG 8 BGS | |
 |
$275.00 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 |
| 1976 Topps Walter Payton Bears #148 PSA 6.0 (Beautifully CENTERED)!! | |
 |
$125.00 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 2m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
| 1976 topps #148 WALTER PAYTON bears rookie BGS BCCG 9 | |
 |
$240.00 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 34m Buy It Now for only: $240.00 |
