In 2023, the world of sports card collecting experienced a renaissance as collectors rekindled their interest in vintage cards from the 1950s to the 1980s. Grading and authentication companies such as PSA, ISA, BGS, and SGC saw a significant increase in submissions of cards from these eras, signaling a growing fascination with the rich history of sports memorabilia.
Leading this vintage revival was the iconic 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. card. Beloved by baseball card collectors, this card witnessed nearly 14,000 new graded copies in 2023, surpassing all other sports cards from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. With a total of almost 161,000 graded copies now in existence, the Griffey card has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of sports card collecting.
The 1980s era in baseball was defined by the 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson rookie card, which saw over 7,800 new graded copies, bringing its total to nearly 51,000. Basketball, another major sport in the card collecting world, was dominated by the legendary Michael Jordan. All five of the most graded basketball cards from the 1980s featured Jordan, with his 1989 Hoops card leading the way with 5,130 new grades.
The 1950s and 60s were represented by the iconic Mickey Mantle, who had four of the top ten cards from these decades. His 1966 Topps card alone was graded an impressive 2,845 times. Football cards from the same era were led by Jim Brown, with his 1958 Topps rookie card and 1959 Topps card garnering the most submissions. The 1970s saw Walter Payton’s 1976 rookie card in football and George Brett’s 1975 rookie card in baseball join the ranks of the most graded cards.
Interestingly, the 1950s basketball cards, although rare, saw a significant number of grades for Bill Russell’s rookie card and his Celtics teammate, Bob Cousy. Hockey, not to be left out, saw Wayne Gretzky’s 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee rookie card as the most graded, surpassing the Topps version.
The grading frenzy was not limited to popular players alone. Other notable cards from the 1950s to the 1980s that received a high number of grades included the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman rookie card, the 1968 Topps Johnny Bench rookie card, and the 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie card in baseball. In basketball, the 1972-73 Topps Julius Erving rookie card and the 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor rookie card were also highly prominent. Hockey had a few vintage cards that received over 1,000 grades, indicating a growing interest in the sport’s memorabilia.
The resurgence of vintage sports cards goes beyond mere trendiness; it reflects the nostalgia and historical significance these cards hold. They connect us to the past, to the heroes and legends of the sports world. For collectors, these cards are not just pieces of cardboard but tangible links to the athletes and moments that have shaped the world of sports.
The increasing number of graded vintage cards also indicates a growing awareness of their value, both in terms of monetary worth and sentimental significance. As more collectors seek to authenticate and preserve these treasures, the sports card collecting hobby continues to evolve, bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Looking back on 2023, it is clear that the year marked a significant chapter in the story of sports card collecting. It was a time when vintage cards received a newfound level of attention and appreciation, a year where the pastimes of previous generations were celebrated and cherished once again. This resurgence serves as a reminder that sports cards are more than just collectibles; they are a way for us to connect with the history of sports, to remember the greats of the game, and to keep their legacy alive for future generations.
