There are no 'guaranteed' investments, much less sure things in the football card market. But if there's ever been a player that has a great chance of continuing to increase in value for a long time, that player is Joe Namath. Immensely skilled and wildly popular during his relatively short but brilliant career, Namath was a pivotal player during the transition between the AFL and NFL and ultimate merge.
Broadway Joe's legendary guarantee and his Jets (AFL) subsequent victory over the Colts (NFL) in the Super Bowl, cemented his name in the history books. Namath's 1965 Topps rookie card is one of the most valued around, and albeit expensive for many collectors, well worth the investment.
One of the unique things about the card, is that the picture was actually taken in a hospital, as Namath was recuperating from knee surgery. 'Broadway Joe' discussed the situation in an interview on David Letterman in 2011 (8 minutes or so into the interview).
Clearly, the RC is obviously the gem, but even a PSA 6 or 7 might set you back $1,200-$2,000. Fear not, great value can be found in ungraded versions, as well as other years.
In addition to his RC, his 1969 Topps card has been a collectors favorite, since that is the season the Jets knocked off the vaunted Colts in Super Bowl III. Some would make the same argument for his 1968 issue (PSA 9 sold in 2012 for over $1,000), and the reality is that investing in any Namath card from the 60's or early 70's is worth oy, especially those graded as a PSA 8 and above.
His 1973 Topps issue has its fair share of fans out there, somewhat strictly due to the photo (right). Joe's wearing a wool cap with his name knitted into it, something many of us received from our grandma or aunty over the years (can you imagine the social media backlash if a player today did that?). Ungraded versions can be had for under $10, while a PSA 8 is in the $50 range and a PSA 9 around $100. Joe looks cold!
You can collect virtually all of the original vintage Namath cards without much trouble since he played in an era when Topps was really the only game in town.
Also, Topps has released some rare PROOFS from their vault of Namath's vintage cards ('72 Topps pictured below), which can be a good investment for some, although the re-sell market will depend on finding the right buyer. You'll also want to be sure of authenticity before going this route, but can be a nice unique addition to any collection.
Our recommendation would be to stick to the true vintage Joe Namath card market.
| 1972 NFLPA VINYL STICKERS JOE NAMATH PSA 10 F1354281 | |
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$71.99 Time Remaining: 7h Buy It Now for only: $71.99 |
| 1990 PRO SET JOE NAMATH SUPER BOWL SUPERMEN CARD #34 PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 7h 45m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 1996 Joe Namath Jets Alabama Topps 1966 Reprint Chrome #2 PSA 9 | |
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$15.00 Time Remaining: 12h 50m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
| 1970 TOPPS ~ JOE NAMATH ~ # 150 NY JETS ~ PSA 7 NM | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 13h 33m |
| 1969 Topps Football Joe Namath #100 PSA 7.5 NM+ HOF Great Quaterback Jets SB MVP | |
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$69.99 Time Remaining: 13h 51m |
| 1971 Topps Football Joe Namath #250 PSA 7 JETS HOF | |
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$31.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 33m |
| 1972 Topps #100 Joe Namath PSA MINT 9 Rare | |
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$129.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 43m Buy It Now for only: $169.99 |
| 1966 Topps #96 - "Broadway" Joe Namath - PSA 6.5 -- New York Jets HoF | |
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$160.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 42m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 |
| 1971 TOPPS JOE NAMATH #250 NEW YORK JETS PSA 7 | |
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$32.05 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 13h 34m |
| 1971 Topps #250 Joe Namath PSA 7 NM Jets | |
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$30.99 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 15h 18m |
| 1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie PSA EX 5 | |
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$503.24 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 4h 38m Buy It Now for only: $975.00 |
| POP 1 PSA 10 JOE NAMATH MARK SANCHEZ 2010 TOPPS MAGIC DUAL AUTO /25 JETS | |
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$499.99 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 |
| 1990 PRO SET SUPER BOWL MVP'S #3 JOE NAMATH PSA 10 F1356610 | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 52m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1969 Topps Four In One Joe Namath PSA NM-MT 8 CS84 | |
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$95.00 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 30m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
| 1968 Topps Football Card Stand-Ups Joe Namath PSA 7 | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 36m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
| JOE NAMATH 2007 CHIROGRAPHY IMMORTALS SILVER AUTO PSA 10 # ED 5 / 5 | |
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$495.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 19m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 |
| 1972 NFLPA Iron Ons Joe Namath PSA 8 NM-MT Hall of Fame HOF FB Football NY Jets | |
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$33.00 Time Remaining: 3d 4h 13m Buy It Now for only: $33.00 |
| 1996 TOPPS FINEST 1973 REPRINT JOE NAMATH PSA 8 NM-MT | |
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$2.99 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 27m |
| 1996 TOPPS JOE NAMATH 1972 PRO ACTION REPRINT INSERT CARD #343 PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 3d 16h 58m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 1996 TOPPS FINEST JOE NAMATH 1966 REPRINT INSERT CARD #2 PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 1m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 1970 TOPPS SUPER GLOSSY #29 JOE NAMATH PSA 6 | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 37m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
| 1970 TOPPS SUPER GLOSSY #29 JOE NAMATH PSA 7 | |
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$59.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 37m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
| 1972 TOPPS #100 JOE NAMATH PSA 6 | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 37m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
| 1967 Topps Joe Namath #98 PSA NM-MT 8 MH6 | |
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$250.00 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 12m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
| 1969 Topps Football Four In One (Joe Namath; Hewritt Dixon) PSA 7.5 | |
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$65.00 Time Remaining: 3d 22h 16m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 |
| 2001 UD Legends Joe Namath New York Jets HOF Signed AUTO PSA 10 GEM MINT | |
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$229.00 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 9m |
| 2001 SP Sign of the Times Joe Namath Jets HOF Signed AUTO PSA 10 GEM MINT | |
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$199.00 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 17m |
| 1969 Topps Joe Namath #100 PSA EX 5 P181 | |
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$44.00 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 24m Buy It Now for only: $44.00 |
| 2007 TOPPS CO-SIGNERS #41 JOE NAMATH PSA 10 F1316800 | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 46m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1967 Topps #98 Joe Namath PSA 5 EX | |
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$20.49 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 10h 2m |
| Joe Namath Lot 1968 -1973 Vintage Original Topps Football Psa Sgc Bvg | |
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$85.01 Time Remaining: 4d 11h 13m Buy It Now for only: $200.00 |
| 1971 Dell Joe Namath / George Blanda Panel PSA 6 EX-MT New York Jets HOF | |
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$29.95 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 13m |
| 1971 TOPPS #250 JOE NAMATH HALL OF FAME NEW YORK JETS PSA 7 NEAR MINT | |
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$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4d 13h 31m |
| 1972 Topps FB #100 Joe Namath PSA 8 NM-MT HOF NY Jets & Alabama QB | |
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$49.95 Time Remaining: 4d 14h 34m Buy It Now for only: $49.95 |
| 1968 Topps Stand Ups Joe Namath PSA 7 New York Jets HOF | |
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$109.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 27m |
| 1967 Topps #98 Joe Namath PSA 8 New York Jets | |
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$225.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 28m |
| 1966 Topps #96 Joe Namath PSA 8 New York Jets HOF | |
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$549.00 Time Remaining: 4d 15h 29m |
| 1970 Joe Namath Topps Super Glossy #29 - NY Jets Hall of Fame QB - PSA 8 NM-MT | |
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$109.00 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 15m Buy It Now for only: $109.00 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH 10 OF HEARTS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256501 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH 2 OF HEARTS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256498 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH 3 OF HEARTS POP 2 PSA 10 F1256499 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH 8 OF CLUBS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256506 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH 9 OF CLUBS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256507 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH 9 OF HEARTS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256500 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH ACE OF HEARTS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256504 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 28m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH JACK OF HEARTS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256502 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH QUEEN OF HEARTS POP 1 PSA 10 F1256503 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1978 SPORTS DECK DIVISION JOE NAMATH RED JOKER POP 1 PSA 10 F1256505 | |
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$43.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
| 1972 NFLPA JOE NAMATH VINYL STICKERS PSA GEM MINT 10 VENDING MACHINE CARD | |
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$150.00 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 38m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
| 1967 TOPPS JOE NAMATH FOOTBALL CARD #98 GRADED PSA 8 JETS | |
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$265.00 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 44m Buy It Now for only: $265.00 |
| 1970 TOPPS JOE NAMATH FOOTBALL CARD #150 GRADED PSA 8 JETS | |
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$165.00 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 52m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
| 1971 DELL JOE NAMATH FOOTBALL CARD GRADED MINT PSA 9 JETS | |
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$105.00 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 55m Buy It Now for only: $105.00 |
| 1972 TOPPS JOE NAMATH "PRO IN ACTION" CARD #343 GRADED PSA 8 JETS | |
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$205.00 Time Remaining: 5d 10h 58m Buy It Now for only: $205.00 |
| 1972 TOPPS JOE NAMATH FOOTBALL CARD #100 GRADED PSA MINT 9 JETS | |
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$225.00 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 2m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 |
| 1972 NFLPA IRON ONS JOE NAMATH FOOTBALL CARD GRADED PSA MINT 9 JETS | |
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$105.00 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 20m Buy It Now for only: $105.00 |
| 1973 TOPPS JOE NAMATH FOOTBALL CARD #400 GRADED PSA 8 JETS | |
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$89.00 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 23m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
| 1972 TOPPS JOE NAMATH " IN ACTION" CARD #343 GRADED PSA 8 NM/M | |
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$199.99 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 26m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
| 1999 UPPER DECK RETRO JOE NAMATH "INKREDIBLE" AUTOGRAPH CARD GRADED PSA 8 | |
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$140.00 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 27m Buy It Now for only: $140.00 |
| 1971 Topps Original Football Card JOE NAMATH New York Jets #250 PSA 4 | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 5d 14h 59m |
| 1965 tops Joe Namath PSA 6 | |
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$1,600.00 Time Remaining: 6d 2h 31m Buy It Now for only: $2,100.00 |
| PSA 9 GREAT MOMENTS JOE NAMATH Sportscaster Football Card #53-17 | |
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$200.00 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 26m Buy It Now for only: $200.00 |
| 1971 Topps Football #250 Joe NAMATH (Jets) PSA 4 VG/EX | |
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$12.00 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 59m |
| 1968 TOPPS #65 JOE NAMATH PSA 9 oc | |
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$250.00 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 45m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
| 1996 TOPPS 40TH ANNIVERSARY JOE NAMATH 1968 REPRINT CARD #4 PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 7d 5h 44m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 2005 TOPPS 50TH ANNIVERSARY JOE NAMATH GOLDEN MOMENTS CARD #325 PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$34.00 Time Remaining: 7d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $34.00 |
| 1966 Topps Football #96 Joe Namath Card PSA 8.5 | |
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$999.99 Time Remaining: 7d 9h 40m Buy It Now for only: $999.99 |
| 1972 FOOTBALL NFLPA IRON ONS JOE NAMATH PSA 10 GEM MINT | |
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$1,800.00 Time Remaining: 7d 14h 13m Buy It Now for only: $1,800.00 |
| 1971 Topps Football Game Card Joe Namath HOF (#3) PSA6 | |
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$19.95 Time Remaining: 8d 13h 36m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
| 1968 TOPPS STAND-UPS JOE NAMATH PSA 7 JETS *9455 | |
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$78.00 Time Remaining: 9d 33m Buy It Now for only: $78.00 |
| GIFT FOR HIM BROADWAY JOE NAMATH NY JET TOPPS FOOTBALL CARD PSA CERTIFIED SLAB | |
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$100.00 Time Remaining: 9d 3h 27m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
| 1991 UPPER DECK HEROES #12 JOE NAMATH POP 4 PSA 10 F1340674 | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 46m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1991 UPPER DECK HEROES #16 JOE NAMATH POP 5 PSA 10 F1340673 | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 46m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1971 Topps Game # 3 Joe Namath PSA 5 EX Jets | |
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$14.95 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 18m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
| 1967 TOPPS # 98 JOE NAMATH PSA 6 | |
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$107.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 44m Buy It Now for only: $107.99 |
| 1968 TOPPS # 65 JOE NAMATH PSA 8(OC) | |
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$80.99 Time Remaining: 9d 13h 44m Buy It Now for only: $80.99 |
| 1965 Topps FB 122 (R) Joe Willie Namath PSA 4 (3674) | |
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$1,000.00 Time Remaining: 10d 2h 35m Buy It Now for only: $1,000.00 |
| 1968 Topps Stand-Ups JOE NAMATH (HOF) PSA 7 NM New York JETS | |
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$64.99 Time Remaining: 10d 2h 36m Buy It Now for only: $64.99 |
| 1965 Topps FB 122 (R) Joe Willie Namath PSA 7 (4907) | |
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$2,750.00 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 51m Buy It Now for only: $2,750.00 |
| 1967 Topps AFL #98 JOE NAMATH (HOF) PSA 6 ex/mt New York JETS | |
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$119.99 Time Remaining: 11d 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
| 1991 UPPER DECK HEROES JOE NAMATH INSERT CARD #11 GRADED PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 8m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 1991 UPPER DECK HEROES JOE NAMATH INSERT CARD #12 GRADED PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 10m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 1991 UPPER DECK HEROES JOE NAMATH INSERT CARD #14 GRADED PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 11m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 1991 UPPER DECK HEROES JOE NAMATH INSERT CARD #16 GRADED PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 12m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 1991 UPPER DECK HEROES JOE NAMATH INSERT CARD #17 GRADED PSA GEM MINT 10 | |
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$38.00 Time Remaining: 11d 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
| 2011 TOPPS FACES OF THE FRANCHISE #FF-NS JOE NAMATH POP 3 PSA 10 F1224136 | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 11d 9h 28m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
| 1971 TOPPS Game # 3 Joe Namath PSA NM-7 #1970 | |
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$59.99 Time Remaining: 11d 14h 23m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
| 1970 Topps Super #33 Joe Namath Jets HOF PSA 9 MINT CENTERED Only 1 Higher | |
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$239.99 Time Remaining: 12d 4h 52m Buy It Now for only: $239.99 |
| 2008 UPPER DECK GOUDEY PARADE CHAMPIONS #HPC12 JOE NAMATH POP 3 PSA 10 F1342804 | |
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$14.99 Time Remaining: 12d 5h 27m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
| 1972 NFLPA Joe Namath Jets Vinyl Sticker PSA 6 Graded Football Card N.F.L.P.A. | |
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$24.96 Time Remaining: 12d 11h 46m Buy It Now for only: $24.96 |
| 1972 TOPPS JOE NAMATH # 100 PSA 7 NM | |
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$73.00 Time Remaining: 13d 5h 42m Buy It Now for only: $73.00 |
| 1969 Topps Set # 100 Joe Namath PSA 5 | |
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$50.00 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 3m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
| 1972 NFLPA IRON ONS New York Jets JOE NAMATH PSA 8 HOF | |
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$74.95 Time Remaining: 13d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $74.95 |
| 1965 Topps New York Jets Joe Namath Rookie card 122 Butterfly variation PSA 5 EX | |
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$1,595.00 Time Remaining: 14d 9h 28m Buy It Now for only: $1,595.00 |
| 2011 TOPPS LEGENDS #1 JOE NAMATH POP 5 PSA 10 F1362338 | |
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$11.99 Time Remaining: 14d 10h 3m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
| 2010 TOPPS CHROME GRIDIRON LINEAGE #CGLNS JOE NAMATH POP 5 PSA 10 F1362476 | |
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$11.99 Time Remaining: 14d 10h 5m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
| Joe Namath NFL rare PSA graded NFL football stand-up card 1968 | |
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$135.00 Time Remaining: 14d 13h 12m Buy It Now for only: $135.00 |
| 1996 TOPPS JOE NAMATH 1973 TOPPS REPRINT POP 3 PSA 10 F1264508 | |
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$16.99 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 48m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
| 2012 Topps Quarterback Immortals #QI-JN Joe Namath PSA GEM MT 10 POP 3 | |
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$45.00 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 49m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
| 1965 Joe Namath Rookie Original Photo Photograph Type 1 PSA Authenticated Topps | |
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$200.00 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 50m Buy It Now for only: $200.00 |
| 1965 Topps Football #122 Joe Namath Rookie Card - PSA 4 VG-EX | |
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$1,000.00 Time Remaining: 18d 5h 34m Buy It Now for only: $1,000.00 |
