Top 6 Favorite Vintage Basketball Sports Card Treasures You Must Check Out (2023)

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By Marilyn Royce

Sports cards are some of the most popular memorabilia items that many Basketball enthusiasts seek to add to their collectibles. Vintage sports cards of different Basketball athletes are highly-valuable and hold a sentimental value that only true sports fans will understand. 

Vintage is a subjective term, but generally, it covers items older than 30-50 years. Basketball vintage cards are treasures for those who have a significant interest in different sports memorabilia. Owning one of these vintage goodies is like a dream come true. If you’re looking to add one of these Basketball treasures to your collection, here’s a look at a few vintage cards that you must consider. 

6 Vintage Basketball Card Treasures You Should Check Out

  1. 1948 Bowman #69 George Mikan – George Mikan was a legendary player for the game and paved the way for other big league athletes to follow suit. His rookie card is one of the most prominent vintage treasures and can be referred to as the “holy grail” of basketball rookie cards. The card’s estimated PSA value stands at $90,000.
  2. 1957 Topps #77 Bill Russell – Bill Russel is known to be one of the most dominant players in Basketball history. Many collectors seek to get their hands on the 1957 Topps Basketball card set, with the Bill Russel card at the forefront of its attraction. The estimated PSA value of the card stands at $85,000.
  3. 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan – At this point, no one is unaware of the skill and popularity that Michael Jordan has brought to Basketball. He is known to be one of the most potent offenses the game has seen. The 1986 rookie card is a more recent addition to the world of vintage sports memorabilia, and many collectors would love to have the card in their collection. The estimated PSA value of the card stands at $75,000. 

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  1. 1980 Topps Larry Bird / Julius Erving / Magic Johnson – The set of cards includes the faces of three prominent players in Basketball history. This sports memorabilia set consists of pictures of each player on mini-perforated cards. The collection wasn’t as popular when it launched in the beginning. Still, more and more collectors are seeking to get their hands on it, making it a valuable treasure in the books of sports memorabilia. The PSA value of the set is estimated at $50,000.
  2. 1969 Topps #25 Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) Rookie Card – The player is known to be one of the NBA’s top-scoring athletes. The rookie card carries a creative design with a display of Kareem front and center. It is also on the larger side compared to other rookie cards, with dimensions measuring 2 ½” by 4 11/16″. The card does have a bright side amongst collectors, as its value can increase significantly during different sports auctions. The estimated PSA value for the card stands at $40,000.
  3. 1961 Fleer #8 Wilt Chamberlain – He is known to be one of the most prominent and dominant athletes in the Basketball world, with the rookie card becoming one of the most sought-after collectibles for collectors and hobbyists. Many aim to bid on it, which can lead to a significant value increase when auctioned. The card holds a creative three-section design with a large picture of the athlete at the bottom of it. The estimated PSA value for the card stands at $35,000.

Endnote

Vintage sports memorabilia cards have a unique appeal that doesn’t come with modern-day collectibles. These cards not only hold monetary value but also carry a piece of history within them that showcases the pride and joy of Basketball. They showcase a sentiment present in the early days of Basketball before many of us were even born. 

Owning one of these vintage treasures is almost like a dream come true. If you do manage it, you will be able to have your hands on a collectible that many collectors strive to own. Vintage basketball cards are highly sought after by those who have a natural affinity towards the game and truly understand its significance in history so far. Hence, if you’re keen on Basketball sports memorabilia, you can check out these vintage collectibles and more and try to get them as a part of your collection.