All Vintage Cards Mid Cap Value Basketball Portfolio
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The All Vintage Cards Mid Cap Basketball Portfolio is a portfolio of ten ‘mid-sized vintage basketball cards that we think have solid long-term investment potential.
As we discussed in our introduction piece, we are launching three portfolios for each major sport–Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap.
For those not familiar with the lexicon, this corresponds to mutual fund portfolios in the investment world. Mid-Cap within the investment space equates to a portfolio of the equity market’s mid-size companies.
For this All Vintage Cards Mid Cap Value Basketball Portfolio we have selected ten cards, each with a value between $1000 to $3000.
Note that these selections are based on what we perceive as ‘relative’ value in the marketplace, meaning that we think these cards offer a good value versus other comparative cards.
I will also note that this information is not investment advice, nor are we making any promises in relation to future performance. Please use your own judgment and budget when accounting for any acquisitions of cards in this portfolio.
Please also see our All-Vintage Cards Small-Cap Value and All-Vintage Cards Large-Cap portfolios.
Total Portfolio Value (as of 6/30/2021) = $17,800Average Price Per Card = $1780
1961 Fleer Jerry West #43 (RC)
Estimated Cost – VG/EX Condition: $2000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: Jerry West aka ‘Mr Clutch’ was one of the best all around to play the game, having earned fourteen All-Star selections, along with being a member of the first five NBA All-Defensive teams. Did you also know that Jerry West is the silhouette in the NBA’s logo? His 1961 Fleer rookie card is a thing of beauty (have I told the 61 Fleers are my favorite set?) with its bright colors and old school Lakers logo.
Current PSA Population: PSA has graded about 1500 copies, so really not scarce at all, but hey it’s Jerry West and it’s his true rookie card (aside from other regional issues)—this card should remain a highly sought after card for a long time.
1961 Fleer Basketball #43 Jerry West Rookie Card Graded PSA 4.5
 | $1,349.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,349.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer #43 Jerry West Rookie RC PSA 4 - CENTERED J&J
 | $3,500.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $3,500.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer #43 Jerry West HOF Rookie RC SGC 4 - CENTERED J&J
 | $4,500.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $4,500.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer Oscar Robertson #36 (RC)
Estimated Cost – VG Condition: $1600
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: “The Big O” as he was called, Robertson was one of the best guards of all time. Robertson is the only player in history to average a triple double over the course of one season. The 1961 Fleer card is considered to be his true rookie card, although he did have a card issued in the 1960 Kahn’s Weiner’s regional set.
Current PSA Population: Graded roughly 1200 times, so not rare, but a card that will continue to remain popular with vintage collectors.
1961-62 Fleer Oscar Robertson SGC 4.5 HOF
 | $899.99 End Date: Sunday Jan-19-2025 21:59:21 EST Buy It on eBay for only: $899.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer #36 Oscar Robertson HOF Rookie RC PSA 4 - CENTERED J&J
 | $3,500.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $3,500.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer # 36 Oscar Robertson RC PSA 4 (Fanatics Eye Appeal Top 30% Sticker)
 | $1,250.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,250.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer Bill Russell #38
Estimated Cost – EX Condition: $1800
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: Although Russell’s true rookie card is considered to be his 1957 Topps card, the 1961 Fleer card is still one of the more valuable cards in the set and in my mind still a good value comparative to other vintage cards from the era.
Current PSA Population: PSA has graded around 1200 copies, making it an easier find than his 57 Topps rookie card, but I like the 61 Fleer card as a more affordable way to get a playing day Russell card.
1961 Fleer #38 Bill Russell HOF SGC 84 NM 7 Boston Celtics New Buy It Nows Daily
 | $1,950.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,950.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer #62 Bill Russell PSA 5 EX In Action Celtics HOF~(BB)
 | $590.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $590.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1961 Fleer #38 Bill Russell PSA 3 VG Nice Color + New Label
 | $649.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $649.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1969 Topps Lew Alcindor (RC)
Estimated Cost – Good: $750
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: I love this card. The over-sized 1969 Topps cards are a bit annoying just because of storage purposes, but for history, this rookie card of Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) is one of the most iconic and well known cards in the vintage basketball hobby. While the card has been hot, I don’t see demand for it slowing down over the long term.
Current PSA Population: 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.
1969 TOPPS BASKETBALL #25 Lew Alcindor Kareem Abdul Jabbar PSA 2 Rookie RC L226
 | $569.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $569.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
Kareem Abdul Jabbar Lew Alcindor 1969 Topps Rookie Car RC PSA 10 Auto Signed HOF
 | $2,999.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,999.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1969 TOPPS #25 LEW ALCINDOR PSA 5.5
 | $1,500.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,500.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1969 Topps Wilt Chamberlain
Estimated Cost – NM Condition: $1600
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: The 1969 Topps Chamberlain card captures Wilt during the tail end of his career, but even during the 1969 season he was posting over 27 points per game along with more than 18 rebounds per game. Definitely a cool 60’s vibe–nothing screams more 60’s than the sweet headband and colorful starter jacket that Wilt is wearing on this card. Priceless.
Current PSA Population: PSA has graded nearly 2000 copies, thus, we opted for a NM copy—note that PSA has graded only 160 copies of NM or higher. Thus, definitely a better investment to go for an 8 grade or better.
1970 Topps “Pistol” Pete Maravich (RC)
Estimated Cost – NM Condition – $1400
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich, one of the best court magicians of his generation, Maravich was a fierce and fiery competitor. The Basketball Hall of Fame calls Maravich ‘the greatest creative offensive talent in history’ and it’s true. Over the course of his career, he averaged 24 points a game and was regarded by his peers as one of the best to play the game.
Current PSA Population: His 1970 Topps rookie card is one of the most well-recognized cards of the era, even despite the considerable supply available; PSA has graded nearly 2000 of the Maravich rookie cards. Because of the massive supply, it’s hard for me to get excited about lower-grade versions, thus, the reason I like a higher grade, NM copy that we chose here.
1970 Topps #123 Pete Maravich Hawks RC HOF LSU 4 - VG/EX
 | $415.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $415.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
Pete Maravich 1970 Rookie Topps Basketball Card #123 PSA 9 *HIGH-END NO PD*
 | $9,700.00 (25 bids) End Date: Wednesday Jan-22-2025 21:48:01 EST Bid |
1970-71 Topps - #123 Pete Maravich (RC) - SGC 6.5
 | $860.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $860.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1972 Topps Julius Erving (RC)
Estimated Cost – NM Condition: $1700
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: Another one of the crowned jewels of the basketball hobby, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for this card. First, I grew up watching Dr. J in the tail end of his career, and this pose of Erving, with the three-colored ABA ball and the yellow background, with the cool Squires lettering. Just an awesome card. And it’s still a rather affordable rookie card for one of the best to play the game
Current PSA Population: It’s not rare, but not abundant, with only 744 copies graded by PSA, so if you want one in low-range grade it is quite affordable. We like something in the NM range at around $1700.
1972-73 Topps - #195 Julius Erving (RC) GRADE 5 EXCELLENT CONDITION
 | $500.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $500.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
Vintage Julius Erving 1972 #195 Virginia Rookie Card SGC 4 Graded! Nice Card!
 | $489.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $489.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1972-73 Topps - #195 Julius Erving (RC)
 | $2,900.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,900.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1980 Topps Larry Bird/Magic Johnson RC
Estimated Cost – NM/MT Condition: $2000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: The holy grail of basketball cards, the Larry Bird, Magic Johnson rookie card is a must-have card for all basketball card collectors. Despite some volatility of late, I think it’s a good opportunity to grab a higher grade copy.
Current PSA Population: If you want to buy this card, shoot for a PSA 8 version, which we’ve done here, which is now only around $2000. Again, not a rare card–PSA has graded over 7000 of these!
1980-81 topps basketball complete set bird magic bvg7.5 176 cards intact
 | $2,899.99 Buy It on eBay for only: $2,899.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson RC Julius Erving HOF PSA 7 PSA/DNA 10 AUTO
 | $2,751.00 (20 bids) End Date: Tuesday Jan-21-2025 23:59:01 EST Bid |
1980 Topps Basketball Larry Bird Magic Johnson Rookie Card SGC 8.5 NM MINT+ Dr J
 | $3,349.99 End Date: Sunday Jan-19-2025 11:18:54 EST Buy It on eBay for only: $3,349.99 Buy It Now on eBay |
1984-85 Star Court Kings 5×7 Michael Jordan
Estimated Cost – NM Condition: $2000
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: An awesome card and relatively unknown, this Star Court Kings subset is oversized at 5×7 inches. Star Basketball Cards overall get a bad rap, but we think you can add these cards with confidence to your collection.
Current PSA Population: Note that PSA doesn’t grade Star cards, but Beckett (who is the only grader of Star cards) has only graded roughly 400 copies of this card. Compare that to the 86 Fleer Jordan which has a population of almost 100x that and you can see why we love this card.
1984-85 STAR COURT KINGS 5X7 MICHAEL JORDAN #26 PSA 4
 | $3,600.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $3,600.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1984-85 STAR COURT KINGS 5X7 MICHAEL JORDAN #26 PSA 5
 | $4,200.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $4,200.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1984-85 STAR COURT KINGS 5x7 SET 26-50. With #26 MICHAEL JORDAN ROOKIE. Read
 | $4,000.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $4,000.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1987 Fleer Michael Jordan #59
Estimated Cost – Mint Condition: $2000
An authentic 1987 Fleer Jordan card
Why We Selected It For The Portfolio: Jordan’s second-year card had been on absolute fire, but has cooled off a bit over the past year.. Collectors priced out of a Jordan rookie card have run to scoop up copies of his harder to find 87 Fleer second-year issue.
Current PSA Population: The white corners are easy to dent, thus finding a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy isn’t necessarily an easy task–PSA has graded only 200 perfect 10’s. We like the PSA 9 Jordan Fleer card as a great long term investment.
1987 Fleer Basketball #59 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls PSA 7 HOF GOAT 2nd Year
 | $250.00 End Date: Wednesday Jan-22-2025 13:56:58 EST Buy It on eBay for only: $250.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1987 Fleer Basketball #59 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls HOF PSA 8 NM-MT
 | $420.00 End Date: Wednesday Jan-22-2025 13:53:14 EST Buy It on eBay for only: $420.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
1987 FLEER #59 MICHAEL JORDAN - PSA 9 PD - PERFECT CORNERS / EDGES / CENTERING
 | $1,050.00 Buy It on eBay for only: $1,050.00 Buy It Now on eBay |
