Vintage basketball rookie cards featuring some of the biggest names in the sport remain highly sought after. In particular, high-grade cards of these yesteryear stars are gaining popularity on online marketplaces such as eBay.
Interestingly, the rookie cards of many Hall of Fame greats and former stars are still considered undervalued. Thus, in this piece, we will examine ten hidden gems that are not only affordable but also have the potential to serve as a good long-term investment.
The 1970s was a seminal decade for basketball, with some of the greatest players in the history of the sport making their debuts.
As such, rookie cards from this era are sought after by collectors and can fetch high prices at auction.
This post will examine the fifteen most valuable basketball rookie cards from the 1970s. I'll explore values and the investment potential of each card.
If you're a long-time collector or a newcomer to basketball cards, this post will provide insight into some of the best vintage basketball cards from the 1970s.
Has your old sports card collection been collecting dust in a closet?
If so, it's time to get rid of them and make some extra cash in the process!
Today, there are many options for collectors to sell sports cards online or offline.
I've had decades of experience buying and selling sports cards, so this guide will help you avoid some of the same mistakes I have made in the past.
As we noted in our discussion of The Rarest Baseball Card of All Time, identifying the rarest basketball card of all time is a challenge.
The reason? Over the history of basketball cards, many oddball misprints, or error cards or type cards were produced that have a very, very low population.
Bell Brand Elgin Baylor card. In terms of regional basketball issues, this one is likely the rarest.
In addition, basketball truly had a late start in terms of becoming a mainstream sport (as compared to baseball); hence, the first widely produced basketball sets didn't begin until 1948.
Thus, in answer this question, I like to focus first on the players that people care about, thus avoiding the common players that might be rare but aren't really in demand aside from set builders.
In addition due to the dearth of early mainstream basketball card sets, we need to also examine some of the regional basketball card issues.
In a move that I knew was only a matter of time, PSA announced recently that it would tiptoe back into grading 1980's Star Basketball cards.
PSA used to grade Star cards and after getting burned multiple times on Type II counterfeits decided that it would put a halt to any Star Basketball card grading.
In our past conversations with Star expert Steve Taft he noted that fear among the grading companies (aside from Beckett) is what drove the decision to avoid the cards.
As nicknames go, Jerry West has two of the greatest.
"The Logo" (in honor of his iconic profile on the NBA trademark) and "Mr. Clutch" (in recognition of his uncanny effectiveness in big moments),
West’s legendary 60-foot buzzer-beater to send Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals to overtime is one of many examples.
These handles befit the sweet-shooting West, a fierce competitor on the court and one of the game's premier all-around players.
He's one of only seven players who led the NBA in both scoring (1970) and assists (1972) during his career.
West's outsize contributions to the game over a span of decades as a player, coach, and executive make him a familiar favorite for collectors of multiple generations.
In particular, the 1961 Fleer Jerry West rookie card is one of the hobby's most sought-after vintage cards and a centerpiece issue for serious Lakers collectors.
Let's take a closer look at this iconic Jerry West card and the career of "Mr. Clutch."
There's only one Shaquille O'Neal.
The towering NBA legend has a resume that most players can only dream of.
From his dominance at LSU to the NBA, Shaq is one of the most accomplished players to ever grace the court.
Shaq's rookie cards were a big hit when released back in 1992.
Today, his rookie cards are still big sellers despite massive production runs.
In this guide, we step back in time to review the top Shaquille O'Neal rookie cards.
We cover the 21 most valuable Shaq rookie cards and Shaq's rookie card values while offering an opinion on the best Shaq rookie card to invest in.
Pete Maravich was one of the most exciting players to ever grace the NBA.
“Pistol” Pete could make things happen on the court that nobody else could and always put on a show for the fans.
Even today, more than forty years after he last played in the NBA, Maravich remains one of the most popular players in league history.
The 1970 Topps Pete Maravich rookie card also remains one of the hobby’s hottest and most valuable basketball cards.Â
In this piece, we explore the career of Pete Maravich, while examining his rookie card in more detail.
In basketball, a few select players are considered true legends – and the late Bill Russell is one of them.
Russell’s resume is undeniable, with 11 NBA championships, 5 MVP Awards, and 12 All-Star appearances.
Bill Russell’s 1957 Topps Rookie card is considered among the Mt Rushmore for basketball card collectors.
It is also one of the hobby’s most valuable cards and is unfortunately out of reach for many, especially in pristine condition.
In this piece, we take a closer look at Bill Russell’s rookie card, examining values, scarcity, and overall investment potential.Â
I’ve always viewed sports cards as an alternative asset. Vintage sports cards are equivalents to your other stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.
Some view baseball cards as pieces of cardboard. But once you dig into the supply/demand dynamics, it is clear why sports cards should be considered investments.Â
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been in this first as a collector. I agree that the popularity of breakers and flippers gives rise to a bubble-like, greed-infested hobby.Â
But I also think it’s fine to be both a collector (in it for the love of the hobby) and an investor at the same time.
Yet, with many vintage sports cards out of budget for most collectors, a new stock market-like dynamic has evolved.
Fractional sports card ownership allows a collector to buy a small piece of a high-priced card at whatever amount they desire.
In this piece, we will dive into the details of this burgeoning new market.Â
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