In the year 2023, the world of sports card collecting witnessed a remarkable trend – a renewed interest in vintage cards from the 1950s to the 1980s. This resurgence in popularity has caught the attention of avid collectors, as well as authentication and grading companies such as PSA, ISA, BGS, and SGC, who have observed a significant surge in submissions of cards from these eras. It seems that collectors are increasingly fascinated by the rich history and stories behind these sports memorabilia.
Leading the pack in this vintage revival is the iconic 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. card. This legendary baseball card has seen nearly 14,000 new graded copies in 2023, outpacing any other sports card from the 1950s to the 1980s. With a total of almost 161,000 graded copies now in existence, the Griffey card has solidified its place as a cornerstone of sports card collecting.
The 1980s era was defined by several standout cards, particularly in baseball. The 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson rookie card saw over 7,800 new graded copies in 2023, bringing its total to nearly 51,000. Basketball, another major sport in the card collecting world, was dominated by the iconic 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.
Notable players from earlier decades also made their mark in the vintage card resurgence. Mickey Mantle, an icon of the 1950s and 60s baseball card scene, had four of the top ten cards from these decades, with his 1966 Topps card alone being graded 2,845 times. Football cards from the same era were led by Jim Brown, with his 1958 Topps rookie card and 1959 Topps card receiving high submission numbers. The 1970s were marked by Walter Payton’s 1976 rookie card in football and George Brett’s 1975 rookie card in baseball, both joining the ranks of the most graded cards.
Even the lesser-known players and cards from the 1950s to the 1980s received a significant number of grades. The 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan/Jerry Koosman rookie card, the 1968 Topps Johnny Bench rookie, and the 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie were among the notable baseball cards that garnered high submission numbers. In basketball, the 1972-73 Topps Julius Erving rookie and the 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) rookie were highly sought-after. Hockey also had its share of vintage cards graded more than 1,000 times, with Wayne Gretzky’s 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee rookie card standing out from the rest.
The increased grading of vintage cards goes beyond popular names; it reflects the significant nostalgic and historical value these cards hold. They represent a connection to the past, a tangible link to the heroes and legends of the sports world. For collectors, these cards are not just pieces of cardboard; they are pieces of history, preserving the memory of athletes and the moments that have shaped the world of sports.
The growing number of graded vintage cards also indicates a heightened awareness of their value, both in monetary terms and sentimental worth. 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 becomes apparent that this year marked a significant chapter in the story of sports card collecting. It was a year that brought vintage cards back into the spotlight, allowing collectors to celebrate and cherish the pastimes of previous generations once again. This resurgence reminds us that sports cards are not simply collectibles but a way to connect with the history of sports, to remember the greats of the game, and to ensure their legacy lives on for generations to come.