Most Valuable Joe Montana Rookie Cards on eBay

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Joe Montana’s 1981 Topps #216 is one of the most important quarterback rookie cards in the hobby — and one of the most accessible at mid-grades. A PSA 10 trades between $40,000 and $50,000, but the real value proposition for most collectors sits lower in the grade range. PSA 7s can be found for $200–$300, and PSA 8s for $500–$800 — making this a card where serious collectors can own a genuine piece of football history without a five-figure commitment.

The condition challenge with the 1981 Topps set is centering. The cards are notorious for off-center printing, which is why the PSA 10 population is thin relative to overall graded copies and why high-grade examples command such a premium. If you’re buying raw, centering is the first thing to check.

Montana’s case as the greatest quarterback of his era — and arguably of all time before Brady — keeps demand for this card stable across market cycles. It doesn’t spike the way modern rookies do, but it doesn’t collapse either.

Full guide to Joe Montana’s rookie card →