1984 Topps Football Cards: Most Valuable (Top Picks)

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The 1984 Topps Football set is THE landmark football card set of the 1980s.

Sure, the 1981 Topps set has the Montana rookie card, and the 1982 Topps set has Lawrence Taylor’s rookie card.

But, the 1984 Topps set features one of the best collections of big-name rookies across any sports card set from the 1980s. 

This piece looks closely at the 1984 Topps set, providing PSA population data, card values, and thoughts on overall investment potential.

Be sure to also check our guide on The Most Valuable Football Cards Of All Time.

 

1984 Topps Football Card Facts

When I was collecting cards as a kid, I can recall buying packs of 1984 Topps football.

An unopened pack of 1984 Topps Football. I unfortunately never won the Super Bowl trip as a kid. But, I did eat the gum.

I loved the cards, the bright colors and soon became quite aware of some of the big-time rookies in the 396 card set.   

Quarterbacks John Elway and Dan Marino were top prospects drafted the year prior. 

And they were soon establishing themselves as major forces in the NFL. 

Marino’s 1984 Topps Rookie Card was quickly a popular card with collectors.

I remember going back to buy some more packs and they were all gone. 

It’s no surprise that the set was so popular. The set featured a fresh, new design. And aside from rookie cards of Marino and Elway, it features rookie cards for another ten hall of famers. 

While I was buying wax packs, the set was also issued in cello packs, rack packs, 500 card vending boxes and also (elusive) factory sets.  

Rack packs included one of 11 blue, glossy ‘NFL Stars’ insert cards in every pack – one of which is Marino, as shown in the rack pack below. 

A 1984 Topps Football Rack Pack. These feature one glossy insert card in every rack pack. Marino insert shown in this one.

1984 Topps cards are notorious for centering issues, along with other print defects. 

An Off-Center John Elway 84 Topps Rookie Card Which Is Quite Common For The Set

Our 1984 Topps Football Card Picks

Best Overall Value

1984 Topps Joe Montana #358 (PSA 10)

Best Overall Design

1984 Topps Fred Dean #355 (PSA 10)

Best Investment 

1984 Topps Dan Marino #123 (PSA 10)

Most Underrated

1984 Topps Eric Dickerson #280  

1984 Topps Football Most Valuable Cards

Here are the 16 most valuable cards in the 1984 Topps Football set, with values from the PSA SMR Price guide, using PSA 10 (Gem Mint) prices as a guide.

I’ve listed the cards in order of value, starting with the most valuable card in the set. 

Be aware that many of the commons in PSA 10 grade are worth a ton, only because very few have been submitted for grading.

Thus,if you have plans of trying to build a PSA 10 84 Topps set, know that it will run you a small fortune.

1984 Topps John Elway (RC) #63

This is the rookie card for Bronco’s QB great John Elway. It is also (by a slight margin) the most valuable card in the 1984 Topps Football set. 

Indianapolis had the first pick in the 1983 Draft, but Elway did not want to play for the struggling Colts. He even threatened to go play baseball if they drafted him. 

Indy did pick Elway at #1, and then traded him to the Broncos for offensive lineman Chris Hinton  (along with two players and a 1984 first round pick). 

Elway wasn’t the same sort of statistical machine as Marino, but he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. 

The USA Today puts Elway as the sixth best QB of all time. 

Elway’s 1984 Topps rookie card was produced in generous quantities. There are 23,000 PSA graded copies of the card. 

Of those, only 179 have earned a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) grade. 

Along with the rest of the vintage high end market, Elway’s rookie in top grades has experienced a significant correction.

PSA 10 Elway rookies sell for around $6K today, down from over $20K at the peak. The good news is that ungraded copies are quite modestly priced.

PSA 10 Values of John Elway’s 1984 Topps Rookie Card

1984 Topps Dan Marino (RC) #123

Dan Marino was a highly touted quarterback prospect out of Pittsburgh.

John Elway out of Stanford went #1 in the 83 Draft, but Marino wasn’t selected until pick #27 by the Dolphins. 

He soon proved all doubters wrong. 

His 1984 Topps rookie card showcases the young rookie in what would soon become a season for the record books.

In 1984, Marino won the MVP and led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl. Although they fell short, losing 38-16 to the Joe Montana-led 49ers. 

By the time of his retirement in 1999, Marino had broken nearly every single passing record. And, then that guy Tom Brady came around..and well the rest is history.

Marino’s rookie card is the second most valuable in the set, behind the Elway RC.

There are 25,000 PSA graded copies, with only 400 (or 1.6%) that have earned a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) grade.

Marino’s PSA 10 rookie does sell at a slight discount to Elway, likely because there are roughly double the amount of Marino PSA 10’s. 

It also has been subject to a sizeable correction of late, although current values are still at around $5K.

Thankfully, ungraded Marino rookies are plentiful and affordable. 

PSA 10 Values Of Dan Marino’s 1984 Topps Rookie Card

Note that Marino has several other cards in the set, including #124 (Instant Replay), #202 (Passing Leaders), while also featured on card #355 of Instant Replay card Fred Dean. 

1984 Topps Walter Payton #228

When this card was released, Walter Payton was 30 years old, and in the twilight of his career. 

Still, he was putting up big time rushing totals, and even finished in the Top 6 of MVP Voting from 1984 through 1986.

Payton’s 1984 Topps card is the third most valuable card in the set.

A lot of the value is based on the fact that high grade copies of Payton’s card are hard to come by. 

Of the 1400 PSA graded copies, only 15 have earned a PSA 10.

There’s been only one sale in the past year and that number eclipsed $6000 at auction.

Crazy enough, if you want to own an ungraded Payton, you can find one for a couple of bucks on eBay. 

1984 Topps Walter Payton #228 PSA 10 Values

1984 Topps Eric Dickerson (RC) #280

Eric Dickerson’s rookie card is the fourth most valuable card in the 1984 Topps Football set. 

I loved watching Dickerson run and feel that he might be a bit underrated. 

Dickerson had some massive seasons. Over 2100 rushing yards in 1985. Four years of over 2000 yards from scrimmage. 

NFL Expert Gil Brandt has Dickerson as the sixth best running back of all time, behind guys like Jim Brown and Walter Payton. 

I agree, which is why I chose Dickerson’s rookie card as the most underrated card in the set. 

PSA has graded 7200 copies, with 120 PSA 10’s. PSA 10 Dickerson rookie cards sell for around $2000, which represents solid value.

1984 Topps Eric Dickerson RC #280 PSA 10 Values

1984 Topps Chris Hinton (RC) #15

Chris Hinton will forever be known as the guy that was traded for John Elway.

However, Hinton was an excellent player, playing 13 seasons in the NFL at offensive tackle.

Over his career Hinton was a 7x Pro Bowl selection and a two time first team All-Pro.

Hinton’s 1984 Topps rookie card on its own wouldn’t be terribly valuable, however PSA 10 copies of the card have proved elusive.

Only 4 of the 200+ Hinton cards graded by PSA have earned a Gem Mint rating. 

There have been no sales on record, so if you are looking to build a PSA 10 set, you might be out of luck. 

If you would like, go grab a Hinton rookie card on eBay for a dollar. 

1984 Topps Joe Montana #358

This is the fourth year card for the amazing Joe Montana. 

In 1984, Montana and the 49ers were on a mission, destroying everyone in their way and pumelling the Dolphins in the Super Bowl. Montana won Super Bowl MVP that year. 

Only 3500 copies of the #358 Montana have been graded by PSA, with only 100 or so PSA 10 copies. 

Considering the lack of supply for Gem Mint copies, I think his card offers collectors an attractive value at less than $700.

1984 Topps Joe Montana #358 PSA 10 Values

1984 Topps Dan Marino (Instant Replay) RC #124

Instant Replay cards were one of several subsets in the 1984 Topps set. The cards were issued after a players base card in the set. Thus, for example, the Instant Replay Marino card is #124, after his #123 rookie card. 

The Instant Replay Marino has 2500 PSA Graded copies (1/10th the graded population of his rookie card). Only 160 PSA 10’s exist.

Thus, if you want a cheap Marino rookie card, this is the way to do it. You can grab a PSA 10 copy for under $300.

1984 Topps Dan Marino Instant Replay #124 PSA 10 Values

1984 Dwight Stephenson (RC) #129

Dwight Stephenson anchored the offensive line of the Dolphins for his entire eight year career. 

Stephenson was drafted in 1980 NFL Draft, but for unknown reasons, Topps left him out of the previous year’s sets. 

Thus, his 1984 Topps #129 card is his true rookie card. Stephenson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1998.

Stephenson’s rookie card is hard to find in high grades. Of the near 700 PSA graded copies, only 27 PSA 10 copies exist.  Still, somewhat affordable at around $500.

You could also buy an ungraded copy for a $1 or $2 on eBay. 

Truth be told, offensive lineman don’t get much cardboard love.

1984 Topps Curt Warner (RC) #198

Curt Warner was a big time prospect when he was playing for Penn State, where he was a two time All-American.

Selected with the third pick in the 83 NFL Draft, behind other phenoms John Elway and Eric Dickerson, most figured Warner was a can’t miss prospect.

His first season showed that the scouts were right. Warner finished the 1983 season with over 1400 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. 

But, a devastating knee injury only a year later derailed what might have been a HOF career.

Warner was still a solid player, but he was never the same after tearing an ACL in the 1984 season opener. 

His 1984 Topps rookie card carries most of its value due to the scarcity of his card in high grade. Only 4 PSA 10 copies exist, making it a relative unicorn in the set. The last copy sold for over $2000 in 2019. 

You could also snag an ungraded Warner rookie card on eBay for a $1 or $2.

1984 Topps Howie Long (RC) #111

Most youngins might be only familiar with Howie Long as an NFL broadcaster.

But, before his time as a studio analyst, Howie Long was a feared defender with the Oakland Raiders. 

Long spent his entire 13 year career with the Oakland (later LA) Raiders. 

Long’s 1984 Topps card #111 is his rookie card, even despite the fact that he was drafted in 1981.

Only 100 PSA 10 copies of Long’s rookie exist, which helps make it one of the more valuable rookie cards in the set.  Values on the card have ranged from $500 to $700 over the past year.

1984 Topps Howie Long Rookie Card #111 PSA 10 Values

1984 Topps Joe DeLamielleure #51

Values of PSA 10 1984 Topps cards are quite dependent on the graded population. Several commons in the set are actually quite valuable in high grade, only because many haven’t been graded. 

The #51 card of Browns HOF lineman Joe DeLamielleure is one example.

DeLamielleure was one hell of a player, the main cog in the ‘Electric Company’ line for the Bills that paved the way for OJ Simpson to run wild in Buffalo.

Only ten PSA 10 copies of Joe DeLamielleure’s 84 Topps card exist, making it a very high priced common card. PSA 10 copies sell for between $400 to $500.

1984 Topps Joe Washington #393

Another high priced common due to a low PSA population. Only ten PSA 10 copies of Joe Washington’s 1984 Topps card exist. Sales have ranged from between $200 to $300 for Gem Mint copies. 

1984 Topps Darrell Green (RC) #380

HOFer Darrell Green’s 1984 Topps rookie card is considered one of the top rookie cards in the set. 

Of over 2000 PSA graded copies, only 125 have earned a prestigious PSA 10 grade. 

Sales of the PSA 10 Green have averaged from between $500 to $600. 

1984 Topps Darrell Green RC PSA 10 Values

1984 Topps Rickey Jackson (RC) #303

Rickey Jackson was a warrior and one of the most feared defenders during his playing days with the Saints.

I’ll never forget the 1989 season, when Jackson got in a car accident and finished the season with his jaw wired shut. That’s the kind of player he was.

Of the 800 PSA graded Jackson rookie cards, 44 have earned a PSA 10 grade.

Expect to pay near $500 for a PSA 10 Jackson or like most cards in the set,only a few bucks for an ungraded copy on eBay. 

1984 Topps Rickey Jackson Rookie Card PSA 10 Values

1984 Topps Roger Craig (RC) #353

I was a 49ers fan as a kid, and loved Roger Craig. To this day, I still feel he’s a bit underrated as a running back.

He was a four time pro bowler, and named to the 1980s all decade team but could never crack the Hall of Fame. 

His 1984 Topps Rookie card is one of the more underrated cards in the set. PSA 10 copies sell on average for between $300 to $400, or grab a mid to high grade copy for under $50. 

1984 Topps Andre Tippett (RC) #143

As a New Englander, the struggling Patriots of the early 80s were hard to watch at times. But there was always one highlight and that defensive stalwart Andre Tippett.

His 84 Topps Rookie card is definitely another underrated card in the set. Tippett is a HOF player and one of the most well recognized Patriots of all time. Only 77 PSA 10 copies of Tippett’s rookie card exist and they sell for $200. I like that as a value play in the set. 

Investment Potential Of The 1984 Topps Football Set

Overall Investment Rating: 7.5 out of 10

For vintage football cards, the 1984 Topps issue is one the most well-recognized sets of the 1980s. 

Chock full of star rookie cards from Marino, Elway, and Dickerson, the set holds a soft spot for adults that ripped packs as a kid.

The cards were well distributed, meaning all cards are easy to find.

For investment potential, I recommend finding PSA 9 or PSA 10 copies of the big players in the set.

Sealed, unopened wax boxes, now selling for under $3000 also offer good longer term investment potential.

1984 Topps Football Cards For Sale On eBay

How Much Is An Unopened 1984 Topps Football Wax Box Worth?

BBCE Wrapped 1984 Topps Football wax boxes have averaged bewteen $2500 and $3000 at auction. If you can find a clean, BBCE wrapped box for under $3000, go for it. I like the longer term investment potential for wrapped wax boxes on this set. 

1984 Topps Unopened Wax Boxes have sold for close to $2500

1984 Topps Football Checklist

Card#	Player
1	Eric Dickerson
2	Ali Haji-Sheikh
3	Franco Harris
4	Mark Moseley
5	John Riggins
6	Jan Stenerud
7	AFC Championship
8	NFC Championship
9	Super Bowl XVIIIMarcus Allen
10	Colts Team LeadersCurtis Dickey
11	Raul Allegre
12	Curtis Dickey
13	Ray Donaldson
14	Nesby Glasgow
15	Chris Hinton
16	Vernon Maxwell
17	Randy McMillan
18	Mike Pagel
19	Rohn Stark
20	Leo Wisniewski
21	Bills Team LeadersJoe Cribbs
22	Jerry Butler
23	Joe Danelo
24	Joe Ferguson
25	Steve Freeman
26	Roosevelt Leaks
27	Frank Lewis
28	Eugene Marve
29	Booker Moore
30	Fred Smerlas
31	Ben Williams
32	Bengals Team Ldrs.Cris Collinsworth
33	Charles Alexander
34	Ken Anderson
35	Ken Anderson
36	Jim Breech
37	Cris Collinsworth
38	Cris Collinsworth
39	Isaac Curtis
40	Eddie Edwards
41	Ray Horton
42	Pete Johnson
43	Steve Kreider
44	Max Montoya
45	Anthony Munoz
46	Reggie Williams
47	Browns Team LeadersMike Pruitt
48	Matt Bahr
49	Chip Banks
50	Tom Cousineau
51	Joe DeLamielleure
52	Doug Dieken
53	Bob Golic
54	Bobby Jones
55	Dave Logan
56	Clay Matthews
57	Paul McDonald
58	Ozzie Newsome
59	Ozzie Newsome
60	Mike Pruitt
61	Broncos Team Ldrs.Steve Watson
62	Barney Chavous
63	John Elway
64	Steve Foley
65	Tom Jackson
66	Rick Karlis
67	Luke Prestridge
68	Zack Thomas
69	Rick Upchurch
70	Steve Watson
71	Sammy Winder
72	Louis Wright
73	Oilers Team LeadersTim Smith
74	Jesse Baker
75	Gregg Bingham
76	Robert Brazile
77	Steve Brown
78	Chris Dressel
79	Doug France
80	Florian Kempf
81	Carl Roaches
82	Tim Smith
83	Willie Tullis
84	Chiefs Team LeadersCarlos Carson
85	Mike Bell
86	Theotis Brown
87	Carlos Carson
88	Carlos Carson
89	Deron Cherry
90	Gary Green
91	Billy Jackson
92	Bill Kenney
93	Bill Kenney
94	Nick Lowery
95	Henry Marshall
96	Art Still
97	Raiders Team Ldrs.Todd Christensen
98	Marcus Allen
99	Marcus Allen
100	Lyle Alzado
101	Lyle Alzado
102	Chris Bahr
103	Malcolm Barnwell
104	Cliff Branch
105	Todd Christensen
106	Todd Christensen
107	Ray Guy
108	Frank Hawkins
109	Lester Hayes
110	Ted Hendricks
111	Howie Long
112	Rod Martin
113	Vann McElroy
114	Jim Plunkett
115	Greg Pruitt
116	Dolphins Team Ldrs.Mark Duper
117	Bob Baumhower
118	Doug Betters
119	A.J. Duhe
120	Mark Duper
121	Andra Franklin
122	William Judson
123	Dan Marino
124	Dan Marino
125	Nat Moore
126	Ed Newman
127	Reggie Roby
128	Gerald Small
129	Dwight Stephenson
130	Uwe Von Schamann
131	Patriots Team Ldrs.Tony Collins
132	Rich Camarillo
133	Tony Collins
134	Tony Collins
135	Bob Cryder
136	Steve Grogan
137	John Hannah
138	Brian Holloway
139	Roland James
140	Stanley Morgan
141	Rick Sanford
142	Mosi Tatupu
143	Andre Tippett
144	Jets Team LeadersWesley Walker
145	Jerome Barkum
146	Mark Gastineau
147	Mark Gastineau
148	Bruce Harper
149	Johnny Lam Jones
150	Joe Klecko
151	Pat Leahy
152	Freeman McNeil
153	Lance Mehl
154	Marvin Powell
155	Darrol Ray
156	Pat Ryan
157	Kirk Springs
158	Wesley Walker
159	Steelers Team Ldrs.Franco Harris
160	Walter Abercrombie
161	Gary Anderson
162	Terry Bradshaw
163	Craig Colquitt
164	Bennie Cunningham
165	Franco Harris
166	Franco Harris
167	Jack Lambert
168	Jack Lambert
169	Frank Pollard
170	Donnie Shell
171	Mike Webster
172	Keith Willis
173	Rick Woods
174	Chargers Team Ldrs.Kellen Winslow
175	Rolf Benirschke
176	James Brooks
177	Maury Buford
178	Wes Chandler
179	Dan Fouts
180	Dan Fouts
181	Charlie Joiner
182	Linden King
183	Chuck Muncie
184	Billy Ray Smith
185	Danny Walters
186	Kellen Winslow
187	Kellen Winslow
188	Seahawks Team Ldrs.Curt Warner
189	Steve August
190	Dave Brown
191	Zachary Dixon
192	Kenny Easley
193	Jacob Green
194	Norm Johnson
195	Dave Krieg
196	Steve Largent
197	Steve Largent
198	Curt Warner
199	Curt Warner
200	Jeff West
201	Charlie Young
202	Passing LeadersD.Marino/S.Bartkowski
203	Receiving LeadersChrstnsn/Brown/Gray/Green
204	Rushing LeadersC.Warner/E.Dickerson
205	Scoring LeadersG.Anderson/M.Moseley
206	Interception Ldrs.McElroy/Riley/Murphy
207	Punting LeadersR.Camarillo/G.Coleman
208	Falcons Team Ldrs.William Andrews
209	William Andrews
210	William Andrews
211	Stacey Bailey
212	Steve Bartkowski
213	Steve Bartkowski
214	Ralph Giacomarro
215	Billy Johnson
216	Mike Kenn
217	Mick Luckhurst
218	Gerald Riggs
219	R.C. Thielemann
220	Jeff Van Note
221	Bears Team LeadersWalter Payton
222	Jim Covert
223	Leslie Frazier
224	Willie Gault
225	Mike Hartenstine
226	Noah Jackson
227	Jim McMahon
228	Walter Payton
229	Walter Payton
230	Mike Richardson
231	Terry Schmidt
232	Mike Singletary
233	Matt Suhey
234	Bob Thomas
235	Cowboys Team Ldrs.Tony Dorsett
236	Bob Breunig
237	Doug Cosbie
238	Tony Dorsett
239	Tony Dorsett
240	John Dutton
241	Tony Hill
242	Ed “Too Tall” Jones
243	Drew Pearson
244	Rafael Septien
245	Ron Springs
246	Dennis Thurman
247	Everson Walls
248	Danny White
249	Randy White
250	Lions Team LeadersBilly Sims
251	Jeff Chadwick
252	Garry Cobb
253	Doug English
254	William Gay
255	Eric Hipple
256	James Jones
257	Bruce McNorton
258	Ed Murray
259	Ulysses Norris
260	Billy Sims
261	Billy Sims
262	Leonard Thompson
263	Packers Team Ldrs.James Lofton
264	John Anderson
265	Paul Coffman
266	Lynn Dickey
267	Gerry Ellis
268	John Jefferson
269	John Jefferson
270	Ezra Johnson
271	Tim Lewis
272	James Lofton
273	James Lofton
274	Larry McCarren
275	Jan Stenerud
276	Rams Team LeadersEric Dickerson
277	Mike Barber
278	Jim Collins
279	Nolan Cromwell
280	Eric Dickerson
281	Eric Dickerson
282	George Farmer
283	Vince Ferragamo
284	Kent Hill
285	John Misko
286	Jackie Slater
287	Jack Youngblood
288	Vikings Team Ldrs.Darrin Nelson
289	Ted Brown
290	Greg Coleman
291	Steve Dils
292	Tony Galbreath
293	Tommy Kramer
294	Doug Martin
295	Darrin Nelson
296	Benny Ricardo
297	John Swain
298	John Turner
299	Saints Team LeadersGeorge Rogers
300	Morten Andersen
301	Russell Erxleben
302	Jeff Groth
303	Rickey Jackson
304	Johnnie Poe
305	George Rogers
306	Richard Todd
307	Jim Wilks
308	Dave Wilson
309	Wayne Wilson
310	Giants Team LeadersEarnest Gray
311	Leon Bright
312	Scott Brunner
313	Rob Carpenter
314	Harry Carson
315	Earnest Gray
316	Ali Haji-Sheikh
317	Mark Haynes
318	Dave Jennings
319	Brian Kelley
320	Phil Simms
321	Lawrence Taylor
322	Lawrence Taylor
323	Brad Van Pelt
324	Butch Woolfolk
325	Eagles Team LeadersMike Quick
326	Harold Carmichael
327	Herman Edwards
328	Michael Haddix
329	Dennis Harrison
330	Ron Jaworski
331	Wilbert Montgomery
332	Hubert Oliver
333	Mike Quick
334	Jerry Robinson
335	Max Runager
336	Michael Williams
337	Cardinals Team LdrsOttis Anderson
338	Ottis Anderson
339	Al Baker
340	Carl Birdsong
341	David Galloway
342	Roy Green
343	Roy Green
344	Curtis Greer
345	Neil Lomax
346	Doug Marsh
347	Stump Mitchell
348	Lionel Washington
349	49ers Team LeadersDwight Clark
350	Dwaine Board
351	Dwight Clark
352	Dwight Clark
353	Roger Craig
354	Fred Dean
355	Fred Dean
356	Dwight Hicks
357	Ronnie Lott
358	Joe Montana
359	Joe Montana
360	Freddie Solomon
361	Wendell Tyler
362	Ray Wersching
363	Eric Wright
364	Bucs Team LeadersKevin House
365	Gerald Carter
366	Hugh Green
367	Kevin House
368	Michael Morton
369	James Owens
370	Booker Reese
371	Lee Roy Selmon
372	Jack Thompson
373	James Wilder
374	Steve Wilson
375	Redskins Team Ldrs.John Riggins
376	Jeff Bostic
377	Charlie Brown
378	Charlie Brown
379	Dave Butz
380	Darrell Green
381	Russ Grimm
382	Joe Jacoby
383	Dexter Manley
384	Art Monk
385	Mark Moseley
386	Mark Murphy
387	Mike Nelms
388	John Riggins
389	John Riggins
390	Joe Theismann
391	Joe Theismann
392	Don Warren
393	Joe Washington
394	Checklist 1-132
395	Checklist 133-264
396	Checklist 265-396