All Vintage Cards Large Cap Value Basketball Portfolio
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The All Vintage Cards Large Cap Basketball Portfolio is a collection of ten high-priced vintage basketball cards that we think have great long-term investment potential.ย
As we discussed in our introduction piece, we are launching three portfolios for each major sportโLarge Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap.
For those not familiar with the lexicon, this corresponds to mutual fund portfolios in the investment world.ย Large-Cap within the investment space equates to a portfolio of the equity marketโs largest companies.
For this All Vintage Cards Large Cap Value Basketball Portfolio we have selected ten cards, each with a value of $3000 or more.
Note that these selections are based on what we perceive as โrelativeโ value in the marketplace, meaning that we think these cards offer a good value versus other comparative cards.ย
I will also note that this information is not investment advice, nor are we making any promises in relation to future performance.ย Please use your own judgment and budget when accounting for any acquisitions of cards in this portfolio.ย
Please also see our All-Vintage Cards Small-Cap Value and All-Vintage Cards Mid-Cap portfolios.ย
Total Portfolio Value (as of 6/30/2021) = $63,900Average Price Per Card = $6390
I did something a bit different with our Large Cap strategy. ย We went after three classic rookie cards, but with Autographs.โthose are the Bird/Magic rookie, Alcindor rookie and Dr. J rookie. ย I really like the long term potential of these ones.ย
1948 Bowman George Mikan (RC)
Estimated Cost โ VG Condition: $8,000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: George Mikan aka โMr. Basketballโ is known as one of the pioneers of professional basketball. ย His 1948 Bowman rookie card is one of the most prized cards in the vintage basketball collecting community. ย Most younger folks arenโt really as familiar with Mikan as they are Ruth, Mantle and Cobb. ย But they should be. ย
Current PSA Population: The higher numbers ofย the 1948 Bowman Basketball set (including Mikan) were produced in lower quantities and thus Mikanโs rookie card is somewhat scarce. ย PSA has graded only around 300 of the Mikan cards with only 4 a PSA 9 grade.ย
1948 Bowman George Mikan #69 PSA 5
 | $40,425.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $40,425.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
George Mikan 1948 Bowman #69 Rookie PSA 2 ๐ฅ๐๐
 | $7,999.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $7,999.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1948 Bowman George Mikan #69 Rookie PSA 4 Lakers ZK9860
 | $9,999.99 End Date: Monday Nov-17-2025 18:02:00 EST Buy It on eBay for only: $9,999.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1957 Topps Bill Russell (RC)
Estimated Cost โ VG/EX Condition: $9000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio:ย ย Russellโs 1957 Topps rookie card is one of the cornerstone cards of the basketball card market, asย the set represents the first entry for Topps into basketball cards.ย
Current PSA Population: ย PSA has graded 600 of the Russell rookie cards with only 3 attaining a PSA 9 (Near-Mint) rating. ย The set was rampant with print defects, mostly print spots, thus finding one in pristine condition is a feat on its own.
1957 Topps Bill Russell #77 PSA 6 Celtics 12879
 | $21,865.00 End Date: Tuesday Nov-18-2025 17:10:16 EST Buy It on eBay for only: $21,865.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1957 Topps - #77 Bill Russell - PSA 5.5
 | $9,400.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $9,400.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1957 - TOPPS BASKETBALL BILL RUSSELL ROOKIE #77 (PSA-2) OWN A REAL LEGEND
 | $2,025.03 (11 bids) End Date: Monday Nov-17-2025 16:30:54 EST Bid |
1961 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain
Estimated Cost โ EX Condition: $8000
An authentic โ61 Fleer Chamberlain rookie
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: ย When it comes to iconic vintage basketball cards, there arenโt many that come close to the 1961 Fleer rookie card of all-time great Wilt Chamberlain.ย ย I love the look of this set and itโs quite attainable, especially the Chamberlain card.
Current PSA Population: ย PSA has graded over 1000 of the Chamberlain rookie cards, although only 34 of those received a PSA 9 or PSA 10 grade.ย ย Lower to mid-grade Chamberlain rookies can be found on eBay for under $5000, which I still like as an investment for long-term collectors.ย
1961 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain Rookie Card #8 RC HOF - Certified SGC 2 (Good)
 | $2,227.75 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,227.75 Buy It Now on eBay |
2015 Leaf Wilt Chamberlain 1/1 Autograph Executive set Signature Auto Signed
 | $1,199.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,199.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 WILT CHAMBERLAIN RC FLEER BASKETBALL #8 BGS 7 NM DEAD CENTERED HOLY GRAIL
 | $20,000.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $20,000.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1969 Topps Lew Alcindor (RC) โ Autographย
Estimated Cost โ VG/EX: $3000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: ย I love this card and I think that having an autographed copy just makes it that much of a standout as an investment for a card that has a plentiful population
Current PSA Population: ย There are plenty of these cards available (PSA has graded over 2200), but because of the awkward size and age of the cards, finding mint versions is a big challenge.ย
1969 Topps #25 Kareem Abdul Jabbar Lew Alcindor Rookie (RC) PSA Auth Auto 10!!
 | $2,200.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,200.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1969 TOPPS #25 LEW ALCINDOR PSA AUTHENTIC AUTO AUTHENTIC
 | $2,499.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,499.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1969 Topps Lew Alcindor #25 ๐ฅ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Rookie Autograph ๐ฅ PSA AUTO
 | $2,250.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,250.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1972 Topps Julius Erving (RC) โ Auto
Estimated Cost โ EX-MT Condition: $4500
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: ย One of my favorite cards is the Dr J rookie card and I think a nice autographed copy is one of the better investments in vintage basketball. ย Erving isnโt getting any younger although he has been a somewhat generous signer in the past.ย
Current PSA Population:ย The base rookie card is not abundant, with only 744 copies graded by PSA. ย The autographed copies are at a much lower population.ย ย
1972 Topps JULIUS ERVING Signed Basketball Rookie Card PSA/DNA Auto Grade 10
 | $1,499.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,499.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1972 Topps Basketball ๐ฅ Julius Erving Rookie Signed #195 ๐ฅ PSA Auto 9 RC
 | $899.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $899.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
Julius Erving 1972-73 Topps #195 Signed RC w/ HOF 93 Insc. PSA 4 Auto 10
 | $1,299.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,299.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1980 Topps Bird/Magic Rookie Card Auto
Estimated Cost โ Auth/EX Condition โ ย $4000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio:ย The Bird/Magic rookie card is one of the most iconic cards in the hobby. ย But you know whatโs even more iconic? ย A rookie card signed by Bird/Magic and Dr J!
Current PSA Population: ย ย Just in terms of base cards, PSA has graded about 9,800 copies. ย SGC has graded another 1,100 and Beckett has graded another 3,800 copies for a grand total of 14,700 copies.ย
1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC w/ Dr. J PSA 7 with 10 auto! Gorgeous!
 | $10,500.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $10,500.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
MAGIC JOHNSON LARRY BIRD ERVING PSA 6 1980 TOPPS SCORING LEADER ROOKIE AUTO RC
 | $1,525.00 (6 bids) End Date: Monday Nov-17-2025 17:06:00 EST Bid |
1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Julius Erving HOF PSA/DNA TRIPLE AUTO
 | $4,999.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $4,999.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1981 Topps Larry Bird #4
Estimated Cost โ GEM Mint Condition: $10,000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio:ย ย This is by no means a rare card just in general, but when we talk about GEM Mint PSA 10 copies, it certainly is a lot harder to find. ย The second year card of Larry Bird in GEM Mint condition should be a great long term investment.ย
Current PSA Population: ย PSA has graded only 59 copies in PSA 10 of the Gem Mint Larry Bird 1981 Topps card. ย In comparison they have graded a total of 4500 cards, meaning that only 1.3% of all graded cards have received a gem mint card.
JULIUS ERVING PSA 7 1972 TOPPS BASKETBALL 195 ROOKIE CARD RC S TOP 5% EYE APPEAL
 | $540.00 (8 bids) End Date: Tuesday Nov-18-2025 17:16:00 EST Bid |
1972 Topps JULIUS ERVING Signed Basketball Rookie Card PSA/DNA Auto Grade 10
| $1,499.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,499.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1972 Topps Basketball #195 Julius Erving Rookie RC PSA 7 NM - Dr J HOF ABA NBA
 | $1,200.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,200.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1984-85 Star Michael Jordan XRC #101
Estimated Cost โ NM Condition: $10,000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: ย We are huge fans of Star Basketball cards and think the XRC Jordan Star card #101 is a better investment than his Fleer Rookie card. ย Why? ย The Star XRC Rookie has been graded only 939 times by Beckett (the only Star card grader) versus over 20,000 graded by PSA.ย
Current PSA Population: ย Need I say more, no PSA population that mattersโฆ1/20th of the 1986 Fleer card and technically his first rookie card.ย ย
Note be careful โthere are a lot of fakes out there. ย
1984-85 Star MICHAEL JORDAN Last 11 ROY Sealed Team Bag Extremely RARE NM-MT
 | $22,995.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $22,995.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
84-85 Star Michael Jordan Sealed Team Bag 101 XRC
 | $160,000.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $160,000.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1984-85 Star MICHAEL JORDAN True Rookie Chicago Bulls Sealed Team Bag 101 XRC
 | $2,500,000.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,500,000.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1985-86 Star Michael Jordan #117
Estimated Cost โ Gem-Mint Condition: $3800
An authentic 1987 Fleer Jordan card
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio:ย Jordanโs second year base Star card and one that still pre-dates his 1986 Fleer Rookie card. ย Much rarer than any of his Fleer early cards and in my mind a relative bargain. ย Watch out for fakes.ย
Current PSA Population: ย No PSA Populationโnote PSA doesnโt grade Star cards. ย BGS has graded only 539 copies!
1985 - 1986 Star MICHAEL JORDAN #117 Rookie RC BGS 8 NM-MT *Only 272 & 12 PSA 9
 | $6,299.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $6,299.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 Rookie Card
Estimated Cost โ EX/MT Condition: $3600
An authentic 1987 Fleer Jordan card
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio:ย Jordanโs rookie card has been on a very volatile ride and we were concerned. ย Thereโs just such a massive population of cardsโmost people donโt know that PSA has graded nearly 20,000 copies. ย But given the recent drop, I think itโs still worth owning as a long term investment. ย
And I think itโs okay to just shoot for a mid grade card. ย Why? ย Well I think there will still be strong demand for Jordanโs card in the coming years. Maybe not as much as there has been over the last few years, but enough to make it worthy as a long term hold.ย
Current PSA Population: ย All in all, between SGC, Beckett and PSA, the 1986-87 Fleer Jordan Rookie has been graded over 33K times. ย Note this does not include the raw, ungraded population. ย Iโd estimate that at a minimum to be in the neighborhood of 10K-15K cards. ย Thus Jordanโs rookie card likely has a population of close to 50K. ย
#173 MICHAEL JORDAN CHICAGO BULLS ROOKIE CARD MERCHANTE 1985-1986 RED N FLEER
 | $10,000.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $10,000.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1985 1986 Star MICHAEL JORDAN ROOKIE #5 BGS 9 w 9.5 Gem MINT Rarer Than Fleer RC
 | $2,499.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,499.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
not to toot our own horn, but wow, this would have been a very good return for anyone that purchased these cards!