If you’ve ever had a discussion about the ‘best player in NFL history’, the conversation has probably included passionate quotes like these:
Mr. Clutch '81 Topps RC PSA 9 holds strong in the $400-$600 realm
‘Joe Montana is the greatest player of all-time, he was Mr Clutch.’
‘Montana had the benefit of great teams and the actual greatest player: JERRY RICE.’
‘John Elway went to 3 Super Bowls without a single player you could even name, and won 2 others!’
‘Why does everyone focus on QB’s? Jim Brown was the most dominant player of his era, and all-time.’
‘I can’t even have this discussion, Johnny U is tops, period.’
Usually these conversations end with a consensus that it is impossible to compare eras, as the game changes too much over the years, yada...yada...
The best thing about football cards, is that you CAN actually compare eras, and unlike some other aspects of society and sports - age is almost always respected.
Vintage cards stand out as a smart and safe investment, and provide a great foundation for any portfolio. Vintage cards are comparable to a stable and trusted stock.
Back to the 1930's a few sets set the standard for early collecting, such as the 1933 Goudey Sport Kings featuring players like Red Grange and Jim Thorpe, and the 1935 National Chicle set led by Knute Rockne and Bronko Nagurski. The heyday of the league and collecting moved into the 50’s with players like Otto Graham and Jim Brown on to the 60’s with the likes of Fran Tarkenton, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers when cards became trendier to collect (or place in your bike spokes!).
Marino '84 Topps RC in this condition can be found in the $60-$80 range
Any card prior to 1980 is considered to be within vintage range (subjective, of course), with the early 80’s now creeping into the category. Joe Montana’s rookie card and the 1984 set that included John Elway and Dan Marino rookie cards is probably close to ‘vintage’ distinction.
Since the vintage card market cannot be negatively impacted by injuries, player performance or company card printing practices, one of the only real concerns is the counterfeit market. While you may still be able to find traditional vintage cards available from reputable sources and dealers, you may want to consider purchasing graded vintage cards as a safety net.
Three companies own the largest share of the grading market, PSA, Beckett and Sportscard Guaranty, providing a reputable manner of genuine collectibles. The value of a vintage card can increase quite dramatically, if graded highly.
Vintage price-tags generally target a more wealthy collector and dealer audience, but while a player can’t increase the value with performance, the market supply and demand or type of collector certainly can. The key with vintage investing, is to have patience in the re-selling market, finding the right collector or dealer, and buying and selling at the right time, just like any stock or real estate market. Following trends in trade magazines, on trading sites such as Ebay or Beckett and going to trading card shows are a good way to stay in touch with the ebb and flow of the trends.
Vintage football cards are a great investment, and it is worth meeting other vintage collectors and dealers to find the right type of cards and channels to buying and selling. There are still plenty of ‘old school’ dealings and investments out there, and this realm mirrors the age group from the era of the cards in some ways.
Just keep in mind, you’ll definitely end up in some discussions about the greatest players ever, and will definitely still have some subjective conversations about the greatest vintage football cards of all-time, with no less controversial opinions!
| 1994 Playoff Larry Allen #300 PSA 9 Mint Super Rare Rookie Cowboys HOF RC | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 30m |
| 1994 Playoff Larry Allen #300 PSA 8 Nice Rookie Cowboys HOF RC | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 31m |
| 1967 Philadelphia #165 JACKIE SMITH (R) (HOF) PSA 8 OC | |
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$49.99 Time Remaining: 33m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
| 1973 Topps psa 8 Dan Dierdorf rc HOF ROOKIE Cardinals #322 | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 35m |
| 1975 Topps #367 DAN FOUTS (RC) (HOF) PSA 7 NM San Diego CHARGERS - OREGON U | |
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| PSA 8 STEVE YOUNG 1984 TOPPS USFL ROOKIE #52 HOF SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | |
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$99.00 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 12m |
| 1971 TOPPS # 39 GEORGE BLANDA RAIDERS HOF PSA 8 NM-MT SMR $30 TOUGH LOW POP CARD | |
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$24.99 Time Remaining: 1h 26m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
| 1986 Topps #112 John Elway Denver Broncos HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT CENTERED | |
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$179.06 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 2m |
| 1985 Topps #40 Tony Dorsett Dallas Cowboys HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT CENTERED | |
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$52.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 2m |
| 1984 Topps #166 Franco Harris Pittsburgh Steelers HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT CENTERED | |
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$13.06 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 2m |
| 1984 Topps #272 James Lofton HOF Packers PSA 10 GEM MINT CENTERED | |
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$26.36 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 2m |
| PSA 4.5 SAMMY BAUGH 1955 TOPPS ALL AMERICAN TEXAS CHRISTIAN & REDSKINS NFL HOF | |
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$69.95 Time Remaining: 2h 8m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 |
| JERRY RICE PSA GRADED 7 TOPPS ROOKIE CARD SAN FRANCISCO 49ers NFL Football HOF | |
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| PSA 5 OTTO GRAHAM 1950 BOWMAN ROOKIE FOOTBALL CARD CLEVELAND BROWNS NFL HOF | |
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| 1991 Score #94T Aeneas Williams Centered Rookie Card PSA 10 GEM MT RC Future HOF | |
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| 1971 Topps Football Roger Wehrli RC #188 PSA 8 Cardinals HOF | |
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| PSA 8 1988 BRUCE SMITH Kenner SLU Starting Lineup BUFFALO BILLS HOF | |
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| 1972 Topps #42 Lem Barney PSA 8 NM-MT Lions HOF | |
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| 1972 Topps #235 George Blanda PSA 7 NM Oakland Raiders HOF Great | |
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| 1971 Topps #35 Bobby Bell PSA 7 NM Chiefs HOF Set Break | |
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| 1971 Topps #50 Sonny Jurgensen PSA 8 NM-MT Redskins HOF Old Label | |
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| 1971 Topps #41 Alex Karras PSA 8 NM-MT Lions HOF Old Label | |
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| 1971 Topps #61 Jan Stenerud PSA 8.5 NM-MT+ Chiefs HOF Set Break | |
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$79.95 Time Remaining: 4h 48m Buy It Now for only: $79.95 |
| 1958 TOPPS SONNY JURGENSEN, EAGLES ROOKIE CARD #90 PSA 6 EX-MT HOF | |
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| 1961 Topps Football Don Maynard RC HOF PSA 8 | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 6h 14m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
| 1973 TOPPS #250 CHRIS HANBURGER REDSKINS HOF PSA 8 F1353558 | |
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$5.99 Time Remaining: 11h 21m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
| 1973 TOPPS #335 LEN DAWSON CHIEFS HOF PSA 8 F1353555 | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 11h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1987 TOPPS #233 DAN MARINO DOLPHINS HOF PSA 8 F1353579 | |
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$5.99 Time Remaining: 11h 29m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
| 1994 SP FOIL #3 MARSHALL FAULK RC HOF PSA 10 F2222 | |
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| Bart Starr 1958 Topps PSA 7 NM 2nd Yr Nicely centered ! HOF Green Bay Packers | |
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$86.00 (31 Bids) Time Remaining: 13h |
| 1961 Topps #166 JACK KEMP HOF SD Chargers PSA 8 o/c h9022 | |
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$85.00 Time Remaining: 14h 1m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 |
| ~ 1998 Ron Mix Hall of Fame Autograph ~ ANTHONY MUNOZ ~ PSA/DNA Authentic AUTO ~ | |
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$29.95 Time Remaining: 14h 7m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 |
| 1964 Philadelphia Jim Taylor PSA 7 NM #80 Green Bay Packers LSU Tigers HOF | |
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$22.99 Time Remaining: 14h 26m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
| 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas Rookie Card #138 Psa 6 Colts HOF!! (Centered!!) | |
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$419.99 Time Remaining: 15h 4m Buy It Now for only: $419.99 |
| 1974 TOPPS #313 DAVE ROBINSON REDSKINS HOF PSA 10 F1314607 | |
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$47.99 Time Remaining: 15h 52m Buy It Now for only: $47.99 |
| 1964 KAHN'S WIENERS JOHNNY UNITAS COLTS HOF POP 2 PSA 8.5 F1353816 | |
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$499.99 Time Remaining: 15h 57m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 |
| 1965 TOPPS #133 FRED BILETNIKOFF RC HOF PSA 7 F1353818 | |
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$299.99 Time Remaining: 15h 57m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 |
| 1993 CLASSIC #8 WILLIE ROAF RC HOF POP 3 PSA 9 F1314496 | |
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$8.99 Time Remaining: 16h 6m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
| 1996 STADIUM CLUB #139 JONATHAN OGDEN RC HOF POP 2 PSA 9 F1314493 | |
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| 1996 STADIUM CLUB #139 JONATHAN OGDEN RC HOF POP 6 PSA 10 F1314446 | |
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| 1962 Topps Detroit LIONS Joe Schmidt #59 PSA 5 HOF Football Card Black borders | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 16h 11m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1955 Bowman Detroit LIONS Bobby Layne #71 PSA 4 HOF Football Card Univ of TEXAS | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 16h 11m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1990 Pro Set Mike Ditka HOF (#59) PSA10 PSA | |
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$99.95 Time Remaining: 16h 19m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
| 1974 TOPPS #313 DAVE ROBINSON REDSKINS HOF PSA 8 F1314718 | |
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$7.99 Time Remaining: 16h 26m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
| JOHN HENRY JOHNSON PSA DNA CERTIFIED POSTCARD SIGNED HOF 87 5X7 | |
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$44.99 Time Remaining: 16h 51m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 |
| 1989 SCORE #130 ART MONK REDSKINS HOF PSA 10 F1354258 | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 17h 4m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1989 SCORE #234 MARCUS ALLEN RAIDERS HOF PSA 10 F1354263 | |
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$12.99 Time Remaining: 17h 4m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
| 1984 TOPPS #63 JOHN ELWAY BRONCOS HOF RC PSA 8 F1354014 | |
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$44.99 Time Remaining: 17h 5m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 |
| 1984 TOPPS #124 DAN MARINO DOLPHINS HOF PSA 9 F1354015 | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 17h 5m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1994 SKYBOX PREMIUM #158 MARSHALL FAULK HOF RC PSA 10 F1354174 | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 17h 16m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1979 TOPPS #335 WALTER PAYTON BEARS HOF PSA 8 F1353936 | |
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$11.99 Time Remaining: 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
| 1993 Fleer Gameday #263 Dermontti DAWSON - PSA 10+++ RARE HOF pop 1 | |
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$17.09 Time Remaining: 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $17.09 |
| pop 2 - 1993 Fleer Gameday #95 Richard DENT - PSA 10+++ RARE HOF | |
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$14.24 Time Remaining: 17h 44m Buy It Now for only: $14.24 |
| 1993 Fleer Gameday #10 John ELWAY - PSA 10+++ RARE HOF | |
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$33.24 Time Remaining: 17h 46m Buy It Now for only: $33.24 |
| 1970 Topps, #80 Fran Tarkenton HOF, Vikings, PSA 8 NMMT | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 17h 47m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
| 1957 Topps #30 Y.A. Tittle PSA 6 EX-MT 49ERS HOF | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 17h 50m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
| PSA /DNA GRADED AUTOGRAPHED 1992 PACKERS HOF DAVE ROBINSON FOOTBALL CARD #89 | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 18h 20m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
| 1990 Pro Set # 685 Emmitt Smith HOF RC PSA 7 | |
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$4.99 Time Remaining: 18h 58m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
| 2001 Pacific Crown Royale # 21 Ladainian Tomlinson Future HOF RC PSA 8 | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 19h 6m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1995 COLLECTOR'S EDGE #4 EMMITT SMITH "NITRO REDEMPTION", COWBOYS, HOF - PSA 10 | |
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$17.95 Time Remaining: 19h 13m Buy It Now for only: $17.95 |
| 1995 COLLECTOR'S EDGE #5 BARRY SANDERS "NITRO REDEMPTION", LIONS, HOF - PSA 10 | |
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$17.95 Time Remaining: 19h 15m Buy It Now for only: $17.95 |
| 2000 Score # 316 Tom Brady Future HOF RC PSA 6 | |
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$49.99 Time Remaining: 19h 16m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
| 2000 Quantum Leaf # 343 Tom Brady Future HOF RC PSA 6 | |
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$49.99 Time Remaining: 19h 22m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
| 2000 Pacific # 403 Tom Brady Future HOF RC PSA 7 | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 19h 27m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
| 1961 TOPPS FOOTBALL #168 RON MIX, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, USC, HOF - PSA 7 NM | |
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$21.95 Time Remaining: 19h 29m Buy It Now for only: $21.95 |
| 1950 Bowman #103 Charley Conerly PSA 5 EX FB HOF Vintage NY New York Giants | |
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$45.00 Time Remaining: 19h 34m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
| 1950 Bowman #134 Pete Pihos PSA 6 EX-MT FB HOF Vintage Philadelphia Eagles | |
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$55.00 Time Remaining: 19h 38m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
| DAN DIERDORF 1981 TOPPS PSA 10 Gem Mint HOF | |
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| 1968 Topps #75 Gale Sayers HOF, Bears, PSA 7 NM | |
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$40.99 Time Remaining: 19h 41m Buy It Now for only: $40.99 |
| 1957 Topps, #46 Elroy Hirsch HOF, Rams, PSA 7.5 NM+ | |
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$45.99 Time Remaining: 19h 45m Buy It Now for only: $45.99 |
| 1953 Bowman, #37 George Connor HOF, Bears, PSA 8 OC NMMT | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 19h 55m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
| 1953 Bowman, #23 Jim Finks HOF, Steelers, PSA 9 OC Mint | |
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| 1985 Topps Football, #4 Dan Marino HOF, Record Breaker, PSA 9 Mint | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 20h 4m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| RANDY MOSS 1998 Collector's Edge 1st Place #157 Rookie RC PSA 9 MINT Future HOF | |
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$11.95 Time Remaining: 20h 5m Buy It Now for only: $15.83 |
| STEVE LARGENT 1978 TOPPS CARD AUTO PSA/DNA CERTIFIED SEATTLE SEAHAWKS NFL HOF | |
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$49.80 Time Remaining: 20h 42m Buy It Now for only: $49.80 |
| YALE LARY "AUTOGRAPH" 1988 SWELL HOF PSA/DNA CERTIFIED | |
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$74.99 Time Remaining: 23h Buy It Now for only: $74.99 |
| 1985 Topps Football #40 Tony Dorsett HOF 1994 PSA 8 | |
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$12.74 Time Remaining: 23h 7m Buy It Now for only: $12.74 |
| 1954 Bowman Football Norm Van Brocklin #8 PSA 8 RAMS HOF Partial Set Break | |
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$64.25 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 12m |
| 1981 Topps Coca Cola cello pack with Art Monk HOF RC on TOP PSA 7 SWEET! | |
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$9.38 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 23m |
| 1983 Topps cello pack w HOF RC Mike Singletary on top PSA 9 1/1 Centered !!! | |
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$30.22 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 25m |
| 1987 Topps cello pack w HOF RC Jim Kelly on top PSA 9 SWEET !!! | |
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$26.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 26m |
| 1954 Bowman Football Bobby Layne #53 PSA 8 LIONS HOF Partial Set Break | |
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$78.75 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 29m |
| 1954 Bowman Football Hugh McElhenny #54 PSA 8 HOF 49ers Partial Set Break | |
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$26.99 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 30m |
| 1954 Bowman Football Charley Trippi #60 PSA 8 CARDINALS HOF Partial Set Break | |
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$18.75 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 31m |
| 1988 Topps Football #44 Jerry Rice HOF 2010 PSA MINT 9 | |
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$13.59 Time Remaining: 23h 33m Buy It Now for only: $13.59 |
| 1962 Topps #56 Yale Lary PSA 7 NM Detriot Lions Hall of Fame | |
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$30.99 Time Remaining: 23h 35m Buy It Now for only: $30.99 |
| 1954 Bowman Football Leo Nomellini SP #76 PSA 8 HOF 49ers Partial Set Break | |
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$43.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 38m |
| 1971 Topps Football George Blanda - Oilers HOF #39 -PSA 6(Ex-Mt) | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 23h 39m |
| 1954 Bowman Football Jack Christiansen #100 PSA 8 LIONS HOF Partial Set Break | |
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$18.25 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 44m |
| 1954 Bowman Football Emlen Tunnell ( Tunnel VARIATION ) #102 PSA 8 GIANTS HOF | |
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$45.56 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 46m |
| 1954 Bowman Football Dante Lavelli #111 PSA 8 BROWNS HOF Partial Set Break | |
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$38.75 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 48m |
| 1954 Bowman Football George Connor #116 PSA 8 BEARS HOF Partial Set Break | |
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$37.55 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 51m |
| 1971 Topps Football Fran Tarkenton - NY Giants HOF #120 - PSA 6(Ex-Mt) | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 23h 51m |
| 1955 BOWMAN #7 FRANK GIFFORD HOF PSA 7 NM !!! | |
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$54.95 Time Remaining: 23h 51m Buy It Now for only: $54.95 |
| 1994 NFL It's A Fact Emmitt Smith #3 Dallas Cowboys Artex Sportswear HOF PSA | |
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$0.99 Time Remaining: 23h 52m |
| 1997 Pinnacle EMMITT SMITH Dallas Cowboys Scoring Core INSERT Promo #1 HOF PSA | |
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$1.29 Time Remaining: 23h 52m |
| 1996 Playoff Contenders OPEN FIELD SP EMMITT SMITH Dallas Cowboys #22 HOF PSA | |
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$1.99 Time Remaining: 23h 52m |
| 1995 Score Summit EMMITT SMITH Backfield Stars INSERT #1 Dallas Cowboys HOF PSA | |
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$1.59 Time Remaining: 23h 52m |
| 1996 Upper Deck EMMITT SMITH SILVER Version #188 Dallas Cowboys HOF MVP PSA | |
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$0.69 Time Remaining: 23h 52m |
| 1996 Classic Clear Assets TROY AIKMAN Phone Card #7 Dallas Cowboys HOF PSA | |
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$0.79 Time Remaining: 23h 52m |
