The Top 30 Most Valuable Football Cards Of All Time

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The card-collecting hobby has been on fire recently, with a strong appreciation for any older, vintage sports cards. Vintage football card values have increased but have yet to keep up with the most valuable baseball or basketball cards. 

But, the value gap is starting to narrow, with collectors looking for value and buying expensive vintage football rookie cards. 

We’ve analyzed PSA data, searching for the most expensive football cards ever sold to find the top football cards worth money. We provide the top 30 most valuable football cards in the hobby.

This list is a good starting point for any collector looking to add vintage football cards to their collection. 

We try to update these lists every year, but if you see something that should be on the list, email me at chris@allvintagecards.com.

**With prices fluctuating so quickly, the numbers here might not always be precise, so if interested, I encourage collectors to check PSA for some of the latest sales figures. I’ll keep this updated relatively frequently.

1894 N302 Mayo’s Cut Plug- John Dunlop (Anonymous)

Estimated Value (PSA 3, VG)- $22,750

This one is sometimes called the ‘holy grail’ of football cards and is a part of the first football cards in history, N302 Mayo’s Cut Plug set.

Issued in tobacco plugs, the Mayo cards are hard to find in good condition, mostly because of the black borders, which are prone to chipping. 

I’d say it is one of the coolest football cards in the hobby’s history and the rarest football card of all time. 

The cards featured Ivy League football stars of the day and were the first 19th-century trading cards dedicated solely to football players. 

The John Dunlop card is the rarest in the set and was issued without the identification of the player, whereas all other cards feature the player’s name on the front. 

At first, the card was referred to as ‘Anonymous’ but later identified as John Dunlop of Harvard. Dunlop was a reserve player, so the value is solely based on the card’s scarcity.

A Mayo’s Cut Plug Tin

Other cards from the set are still pricey, ranging from $300 to $1000 in Good condition.  

Based on my research, there are likely only around 10 Dunlop cards in existence, making them scarcer than a T206 Honus Wagner.

The reason behind the card’s scarcity is unknown, but it is likely that Mayo pulled the card after realizing that they failed to print Dunlop’s name on the front. 

1935 National Chicle – Bronko Nagurski (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $750,000

The Nagurski rookie card is THE most valuable football card in the hobby. 

Nagurski was a big man. At 6’3″ and 235 pounds, he demolished opposing players when he played fullback while attacking with a vengeance on defense.

Did you know Bronko left football to become a full-time wrestler?  Bronko = Gronko? 

The card isn’t rare (PSA has graded 200 copies), but it is in high demand.

Good-condition Nagurski cards will likely cost nearly $20,000, while mint-condition Nagurski rookies are worth nearly $750,000.

Unsurprisingly, there is significant demand for Nagurski’s Chicle rookie card.

We recently added the Nagurski rookie card to our All Vintage Cards Large Cap Value portfolio. 

1935 National Chicle – Knute Rockne

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $16,500

Knute Rockne’s 1935 Chicle card was a tribute card since he died in a plane crash only four years earlier. Rockne’s card is the second most valuable card in the set (behind Nagurski) and, in mint condition, is worth $16,500.   

However, good to Very Good copies can often be found for under $1000. The card isn’t scarce (PSA has graded over 300), but given Rockne’s popularity, it’s a reasonable price for a card of one of the all-time greats. 

Win One For The Gipper

Knute Rockne is one of the most well-known and regarded football coaches of all time. In 13 years as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Rockne led his team to three championships and five undefeated seasons. 

Rockne even helped popularize the forward pass in football. 

His speeches were legendary. I’m sure readers are familiar with Rockne’s ‘Win One For The Gipper’ speech, which helped propel Notre Dame to an upset win over Navy. 

1948 Leaf – Bobby Layne (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $45,000

Layne’s Leaf rookie card shows the ‘Blonde Bomber’ as a member of the Texas Longhorns. Leaf produced two versions of Layne’s rookie card, one with him wearing yellow pants and another with red pants. 

The 1948 Leaf Football set remains one of the classic football card sets of the post-war era. 

The card is the most valuable in the Leaf set, and a Mint copy is estimated to be worth $45,000.  Cheaper copies in lower-grade condition can be found; PSA has graded around 300 copies of the card.  

Party On Layne

Bobby Layne was a hard partier but was one of the best quarterbacks to play the game during the 1950s. Layne led the Detroit Lions to three titles and was a six-time pro bowler. 

Layne was a great leader on and off the field, even if it might not have exactly been the norm as compared to the NFL of today:

“When Bobby said block, you blocked,” said another former teammate and Hall of Famer, Yale Lary. “When Bobby said drink, you drank.” (link)

1948 Leaf – Chuck Bednarik (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $30,000

Bednarik’s 1948 Leaf rookie card is the second most valuable issue in the star-studded set (behind Layne). A Mint copy is estimated to be worth $30,000.

Note that Leaf also issued a popular baseball card issue in the same year.   

PSA has graded around 160 of the cards, and note that there are three different variations—copies with a yellow, white, and orange background. A good-condition example of the card can often be found for under $1000.  

A Hit On Gifford Heard Round The World

Outside of vintage football circles, Bednarik isn’t exactly a household name, but ‘Concrete Charlie’ was one of the fiercest defenders to ever play the game. 

Bednarik was a 10-time first-team All-Pro, a two-time NFL Champion, and a Pro Football Hall of Famer. He was one of the last two-way full-timers in the NFL, playing both Center and Middle Linebacker. 

Over the course of a 14-year career, he only missed three games. 

Bednarik is well known for a hit on Frank Gifford, which put Gifford out of football for over 18 months.  

1948 Leaf – Sammy Baugh (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $17,500

Sammy Baugh’s 1948 Leaf Rookie Card is a prized card for all vintage football collectors.  

A Mint condition Baugh will set you back big bucks, but one in Good condition can be found for around $500.

It’s a good investment, considering that PSA has only graded around 250 of the cards. 

Slingin’ Sammy

‘Slingin’ Sammy Baugh is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks ever.  Baugh played his entire professional career with the Washington Redskins. 

He won two championships and six All-Pro nominations and led the league in completion percentage in eight years. 

In 1943, he accomplished the unthinkable, leading the league in passing, punting, and interceptions (as a defensive back).  

As Bill Belichick notes in the video below, Baugh was the equal of Tom Brady, Ed Reed, and Brian Moorman all wrapped into one.

1948 Leaf – Doak Walker (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $15,000

This is another valuable rookie card from the 1948 Leaf Football Set, which is chock full of great rookies and some harder-to-find valuable cards. 

This list includes eight cards from the 1948 Leaf Set, making it one of the most prized (and expensive) vintage football sets in the hobby.

Walker’s ’48 Leaf Rookie card isn’t scarce, as over 200 PSA copies exist, although a Mint copy, valued at $15,000, is tough to come by. 

However, good to VG copies can be found quite easily for less than $100; quite a deal for this Hall of Famer.

Doak Walker had the shortest career (six seasons) of any player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, yet his six years as a player were quite remarkable.   

Walker’s versatility was one reason for his popularity, with stat lines in rushing, passing, receiving, kickoff returns, punting, and even interceptions. In six years, Walker was named All-NFL five times and selected to five Pro Bowls. 

1948 Leaf – Bob Waterfield (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $15,000

Waterfield’s 1948 Leaf rookie card has two variations: white lettering (much scarcer) and black lettering. The card features Waterfield in his standard quarterback pose.   

PSA has graded around 300 copies of his rookie card (although only 11 have white lettering). 

A Mint copy will cost nearly $15K, but lower-grade versions in good to very good condition can be found for under $100. 

Known as one of the best passers, punters, and place-kickers in the NFL, Waterfield was an all-around great.

He won the MVP award and the NFL Championship game in his rookie campaign of 1945. 

Waterfield led the Rams to three straight title games from 1949 to 1951, winning the Championship in 1951. He led the NFL in passing in 1946 and 1951, was a two-time Touchdown leader, and is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. 

1948 Leaf – Leo Nomellini (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $15,000

Nomellini’s 1948 Leaf rookie card has two variations–one with Nomellini in a red jersey and another in a maroon jersey. 

The cards feature ‘The Lion’ in a rather intimidating pose.

PSA has graded only around 100 copies of his rookie card, making this one of the scarcer cards in the set. 

Mint-condition copies cost near $15K, but lower-grade versions in good to very good condition can be found for under $500. 

The Lion

Leo Nomellini was a Hall of Fame football player who played for the San Francisco 49ers for his entire 14-year career.

Nomellini played offensive and defensive tackle, finishing his career as a 10-time Pro Bowler. 

Like other players of the day, Nomellini wrestled in the off-season under the moniker Leo ‘The Lion’ Monellini.  He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008.  

1948 Leaf – Charlie Conerly (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $12,500

Conerly’s 1948 Leaf rookie card is a hot card among vintage football card collectors, especially Giants fans. It’s also one of the harder-to-find cards, with only 110 having been graded by PSA. If you don’t want to splurge for a high-grade copy, a good-condition Conerly rookie can be found for around $150 to $200.

The Marlboro Man

Charlie Conerly was an excellent football player (although not good enough for the Hall of Fame). He played quarterback for the New York Giants from 1948 to 1961. 

Conerly won Rookie of the Year in 1948 and MVP in 1959 while also winning the NFL Championship with the Giants in 1956.   

Conerly found more popularity in later life, taking on the ‘Marlboro Man’ persona in various cigarette advertisements (one is shown below). 

1948 Leaf – Steve Van Buren (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $11,500

Steve ‘Big Boy’ Van Buren’s 1948 Leaf rookie card has five, yes FIVE different variations.  They are: Blue Jersey/Green Socks, Green Jersey/Blue Socks, Green Jersey/Green Socks, Green Jersey/Yellow Socks (most common), Yellow Jersey/Yellow Socks.   

PSA has graded over 200 copies, making this one easier to find.  If you don’t want to spend nearly $12K for a Mint copy, shoot for a good version condition of the card, which can be found for $50 or less. 

If you can ‘imagine John Riggins in a leather helmet… playing in the 1940s,’ as detailed in the video below produced by NFL Films, then that’s what Van Buren is best recognized as. 

NFL Films named Van Buren the #58 best player of all time in the NFL.

1950 Bowman – Y.A. Tittle (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $17,500

Y.A. Tittle’s rookie card is one of the key cards in the 1950 Bowman set and one of my favorites, although the card is hard to find in mint condition.  

Y.A Tittle 1950 Bowman Rookie Card

The card isn’t scarce, as PSA has graded over 500 copies, although only 3 have received a PSA 9 (Mint) grade.  Excellent condition copies of Tittle’s rookie card can often be found for $300.  

One Of The Best QB’s Of All Time

Y.A. Tittle had a tremendous career lasting 17 years, reaching 33,070 passing yards and 242 touchdowns.  

Tittle never won an NFL Championship, but he was the first of only seven quarterbacks in NFL history to have achieved consecutive 30-touchdown passing seasons.

Title was named to the Pro Bowl 7 times and retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, attempts, completions, and games.

Here’s Tittle in 1962, shredding the Redskins for 7 touchdowns and over 500 yards passing. 

1950 Bowman – Otto Graham (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $13,500

Graham’s 1950 Bowman rookie card is a striking piece of artwork. On it, Graham looks ready to do what he does best – throw another touchdown!

The Otto Graham rookie is one of the hobby’s most desired football cards. 

The card isn’t scarce (PSA has graded over 600 copies), although Mint condition copies are tough to find (only nine PSA 9 copies exist).  

If you want to buy a Graham rookie, look for a lower—to mid-grade copy that sells for around $500 or less.  

Quite a deal for one of the all-time greats. 

‘Automatic’ Otto was a legend behind center and one of the most successful quarterbacks ever playing the game.

In his 10 years as quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, he led his team to the Championship every year. 

He won each of the AFC’s four championships between 1946 and 1949 and then another three times once the Browns moved to the National Football League.  

NFL Films ranked Graham as the #5 quarterback of all time, as shown in the following video.  

1952 Bowman Large – Jim Lansford (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $23,000

Jim Lansford wasn’t a great football player, but the scarcity of his 1952 Bowman Large card makes it so valuable. 

It’s the last card in the beautiful 1952 Bowman Large set and one of the most notable short prints in the hobby. 

PSA has only graded 130 Lansford cards, while star players’ numbers are closer to the 200 range on average. 

Plus, it’s the last card in the set, meaning tough conditions are likely given the position on the sheet and the tendency to hold cards together with rubber bands. 

Only 2 PSA 9 (Mint) Lansford cards have been graded by PSA, although lower-grade copies can be found for under $100.

1957 Topps- Bart Starr (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $125,000

The 1957 Topps football card set is considered one of the most landmark sets among vintage football cards.  

One of the keys to the set is Starr’s ’57 Topps rookie card, which is the most valuable in the set. A mint-condition copy will set you back low six figures, although a lower-grade condition Starr can be found for close to $500. 

Unbelievable to think that Bart Starr was a 17th-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1956.  

Starr went on to become one of the best quarterbacks of all time, leading the Packers to 5 NFL and 2 Super Bowl rings.  

Starr didn’t throw a lot, never reaching more than 300 attempts per season, but he was the glue that led to the Packers’ success and the reason behind his Pro Football Hall of Fame election in 1977. 

1957 Topps- Johnny Unitas (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $110,000

Although Bart Starr’s rookie card is the most valuable in the 1957 Topps set, the 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas rookie card isn’t far behind.  

Mint copies cost $110,000, although good copies can be found for between $200 and $300.  

Let’s be clear: This card is by no means scarce—PSA has graded over 2800 Unitas rookie cards—but given the high demand, it is still a highly collectible card.

NFL Films calls Unitas the #6 greatest player of all time, and for good reason. Unitas was a one-of-a-kind quarterback, the first to throw for over 40,000 yards, and led the Colts to two NFL Championships and one Super Bowl victory.  

One of the most notable things about Unitas was his drive and hunger to succeed.  In high school, Unitas weighed only 140 pounds and seemed like he might never reach the big time.   

The Steelers drafted Unitas in the ninth round in 1955 and soon released before the season started. The Colts took a shot at Unitas, and it paid off handsomely.  

I came into the league without any fuss. I’d just as soon leave it that way. There’s no difference I can see in retiring from pro football, or quitting a job at the Pennsy Railroad. I did something I wanted to do and went as far as I could go.

Johnny Unitas, HOF QB

1957 Topps- Paul Hornung (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $20,000

The ‘Golden Boy’ played ten years for the Green Bay Packers, and Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi called him “the most versatile man who ever played the game.”

Hornung was a halfback and placekicker for several years, winning four NFL Championships and being named to the NFL’s 1960 All-Decade team.  

In a set filled with big-time stars, Hornung’s 1957 Topps rookie card isn’t the most valuable, but it is still one of the most desired cards. While a Mint copy goes for $20,000, a lower-grade Hornung can be found for a little over $100.  

Once again, it is not exactly a scarce card (PSA has graded over 1200 Hornung rookies), but it is typically a must-have for vintage football card collectors.

1957 Topps- Dick Lane (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $12,500

Some might not be familiar with Dick “Night Train” Lane, who, in his thirteen-year playing career, was known as one of the most feared tacklers in the game.  The NFL even instituted new rules to keep offensive players safe, mostly because of Lane. 

Lane set a rookie record with 14 interceptions in 1952, a mark that still hasn’t been surpassed. NFL Films named Lane the 30th-best player in the game’s history.

A Mint 1957 Topps Dick Lane rookie card is valued at $12,500; note that PSA has only graded 3 Lane Rookie cards as a PSA 9 (although over 900 in total).  

Lane’s rookie in Excellent condition is available for around $50, a true bargain, in my opinion.

1958 Topps – Jim Brown (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $275,000

Jim Brown’s rookie card is the most valuable card in the 1958 Topps football card set and one of the most highly desired among all football card collectors. 

A Mint version is quite tough to find, as only 5 have been graded Mint by PSA due to numerous print defects in the set. 

A good-condition Jim Brown rookie can usually be found for around $300, with excellent-condition copies creeping up to around $1000 or more. 

Jim Brown was one of the best running backs to ever play football. His track record is nothing short of remarkable: nine Pro Bowls (each year in the league), three MVP awards, 8x rushing yards leader, and 5x rushing TD leader. Brown pretty much shattered every running record when he retired.  

If you need any reminder of Brown’s greatness, check out this NFL Films video, which named him the #2 NFL player of all time. 

1960 Topps – Johnny Unitas

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $12,500

The #1 card in the 1960 Topps set is subject to condition issues, likely because kids hold the set together with rubber bands. PSA has only graded 1 PSA 9 (without qualifiers)-note that Jim Brown’s card from the same set in Mint condition is only valued at $2000.  

The card features Unitas in a rather ‘serial-killer-esque’ camera stare, yet it is a really popular one with collectors. Lower-graded copies are readily available, and Excellent copies can usually be found for under $100. 

1962 Topps – Mike Ditka (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $35,000

Some only know Ditka as the long-time coach of the Chicago Bears, but many don’t realize that Ditka was a star tight end and was the first tight end elected to the Hall of Fame (in 1988). 

His ’62 Topps rookie card features a young Ditka as a Bears member.  Ditka would have a fantastic career, amassing 427 receptions, 5,812 yards, and 43 touchdowns as a pro.  

The 1962 set is prone to condition issues because of the black borders, and the Ditka is no exception; only 4 PSA 9s (without qualifier) exist, and the issue is on the higher end of scarcity, with a total of 730 Ditka rookies graded by PSA.

If you are looking for something in the Good to VG range, you can normally find one for under $300.

1962 Topps – Fran Tarkenton (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $11,500

Tarkenton was one of the first true scramblers. He had the quickness and dexterity to easily evade defenders, earning the moniker ‘Mad Scrambler. ‘

Tarkenton leads the Vikings in all-time passing yards with 33,098 and holds the franchise record for touchdown passes with 239 touchdowns.

Tarkenton’s rookie card is also subject to the condition issues of the ’62 Topps set; only 6 have earned a PSA 9 grade, although over 1000 have been graded by PSA.  VG copies can usually be found for $100 or less.  

1965 Topps – Joe Namath (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $250,000

‘Broadway’ Joe Namath is one of history’s most popular football players. Namath was a great quarterback and a charismatic individual, which was a perfect mix for the bright lights of New York. 

Joe Namath’s 1965 Topps rookie card is one of the most familiar football cards to collectors. However, the ‘tallboy’ format makes this card tough to find in good condition.   

Only five have been awarded a PSA 9 rating, hence the quarter-million-dollar valuation. Even lower-grade copies remain in very high demand today; a good-condition Namath rookie still sells for over $1000.  

1966 Philadelphia – Dick Butkus (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $15,000

The 1966 Philadelphia Gum set is one of the most popular in the hobby, due to the slick and clean design, along with the rookie cards of both Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers. 

PSA has a great writeup of the set, which discusses how Philadelphia Gum won the right to produce NFL football cards (away from Topps) from 1964 to 1967.  Note Topps was only allowed to produce AFL player cards during these years. 

The relative scarcity versus the Gale Sayers rookie card from the same set gives the Butkus the advantage from a value standpoint. 

PSA has graded nearly 2000 Sayers rookie cards, whereas less than 1000 Butkus rookies have been graded.  

A Butkus rookie in good to excellent condition can typically be found for around $300.

The 1966 Philadelphia Dick Butkus rookie card is a part of the All Vintage Cards Small Cap Value Football Portfolio. 

1971 Topps – Terry Bradshaw (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $16,000

Most young people know of Terry Bradshaw for his off-the-field NFL broadcasting work, but Bradshaw was one of the all-time great quarterbacks on the field. 

In fourteen years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bradshaw led his team to 4 Super Bowl Championships while winning 2 Super Bowl MVPs.  Bradshaw was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1989.  

The 1971 Topps set is one of my favorites. I just love the colors and the lettering design on the cards. The red borders make for easy chipping, so mint-condition cards are much harder to come by.   

PSA has only graded 20 PSA 9 copies and 3 PSA 10 (Gem Mint), while grading a grand total of over 3000 Bradshaw rookie cards. 

Thus, if you want a Bradshaw rookie in a lower grade, it will be easy to find and relatively inexpensive. 

I found a few on eBay in Good to Excellent condition for between $100 and $200.

1972 Topps – Roger Staubach (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $20,000

Roger Staubach’s 1972 Topps rookie card is one of the key football rookie cards of the early 1970s.  

PSA has graded nearly 4000 Staubach cards, so they are not rare. If you want good long-term investment potential, opt for one in a higher-grade condition.  

Staubach played 11 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, winning two Super Bowls. He finished his career as the second-highest-rated passer of all time. 

Staubach might not have the same name recognition as Bradshaw, but he was just as effective at Quarterback. 

As this NFL Films piece notes, Staubach was an aggressive player who often got hurt due to his reckless play. But ‘Captain Comeback’ led an amazing 15 fourth-quarter comeback victories. 

1976 Topps – Walter Payton (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $25,000

Maybe the best running back to ever play football, ‘Sweetness’ was one of the smoothest and most versatile backs the NFL has seen. 

His 1976 Topps card is not rare by any means (PSA has graded over 7,600 copies), but the significant demand for higher-grade versions makes it one of the most sought-after cards in the hobby. 

PSA has graded over 628 Payton’s in Mint condition (PSA 9), and even still, the card is worth over $20K. You can often find an excellent-condition Payton rookie card for less than $600.  

2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Autograph – Tom Brady (RC)

Estimated Value (PSA 9 – Mint): $3 Million

Arguably the best quarterback to ever play football, Tom Brady’s rookie cards have been on fire recently.  

One, in particular, continues to break all-time rookie card records. The 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady rookie card is highly in demand with football card collectors; however, this variation, the Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Auto, is much harder to find.

Only 100 copies of the ‘Championship Ticket’ variation exist.   

One sold in early 2021 for more than $2 Million!  And then another one topped that in June at over $3 Million.

The average selling price on the base Contenders Brady Auto #144 runs around $20k for Mid Grade copy in the PSA 6-7 range.  

That concludes our discussion of the most expensive football cards of all time.  If you have any questions or comments on this list, feel free to comment below or shoot me an email at chris@allvintagecards.com