The Just Collect Blog

1980-81 Topps Basketball Card Set Sells for $1.4 Million

Written by Monte Jennings | Feb 9, 2022 2:16:18 AM

1.4 MILLION dollars was the price tag for a complete 1980-81 Topps basketball set this week!  Every card in this set, including the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird rookie card, was graded PSA 10.  A few other unique items were included, too.  See the incredible set, and how you can sell your collection here at Just Collect.

A complete set of 1980-81 Topps basketball cards sold this week for an astounding price of 1.4 million dollars! We have see records fall for the top card in the set, the Larry Bird - Magic Johnson rookie card that also features Dr. J, Julius Irving sold for $861,000 last Summer.  The sale of the this "Ultimate" set not only includes that Bird/Magic rookie card, but had a few other rarities accompanying.

1980-81 TOPPS BASKETBALL CARDS

A pack of cards back in 1980 set you back just a quarter if you wanted to search for a Larry Bird or Magic Johnson rookie card.  Boxes were released with 36 packs, and each pack contained 8 cards plus one pinup.  

  • 176 cards
  • 264 different players
  • 3 players per card with perforations to separate each player
  • 16 Pinups (small posters)

The key card is the iconic #6 with the panels of Bird, Magic, and Dr. J.  

1.4 MILLION-DOLLAR SALE

What's unique about this new sale is that every card, all 176, were graded a perfect 10 by PSA. Not only was every card in the set graded a PSA 10, but all 16 Pinups were graded and included in the sale, an uncut sheet (cards were printed on big sheets at the factory and then cut during the process before being placed into packs for you to purchase), and even a sealed pack of 1980-81 Topps basketball cards!  The pack is graded PSA 10 and is only one of two known to have a perfect grade.

Kids in 1980 probably separated the cards out from their three-player panels; that's what they were meant to do. You may have put a rubber band around your stack of cards and put them in a shoe box, or played a game of flip. To have cards from 40 years ago be in pristine condition makes the value of the cards increase greatly. Checking the PSA population report, there are a few cards in the set are are nearly non-existent in perfect condition.  There are only 22 Magic Johnson - Larry Bird - Dr. J cards graded PSA 10.  Only FOUR copies of the Bantom, Gervin, Davis card earned a PSA 10. Only five T.Knight, L.Free, and A.Dantley are 10's.

This is an incredible set and collection that took time to build; we love it!  You can see all of the pictures and information through the auction house that handled the set, Goldin Auctions, HERE.

FREE  APPRAISAL

Do you have a Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rookie card you are interested in selling?  Maybe you have a Michael Jordan rookie card from the 1986-87 Fleer basketball set. We offer a free appraisal on your collection! To submit your information, click here:

 

WE ARE ALWAYS BUYING

Just Collect is always buying vintage sports and non-sports cards from 1879 to 1979 as well as select modern cards. If you have a collection that you are considering selling, contact us today to discuss or get our industry-leading purchase offer. If you have a collection that you want appraised, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss your collection and help you understand the real cash value of your collection in the current marketplace. Check out the Just Collect Buy List

OUR BUYING PHILOSOPHY

We've run into a wide range of people and collections over the last 25 years. Although Just Collect is known for buying vintage sports cards and especially vintage baseball cards, we are also extremely interested in buying non-sports cards, too!  

Every collection and every collector is different and we treat EVERY collection with the respect and attention that we show for our own collections. We understand that many have put their heart and souls into building their collections. So when you're ready to sell, we understand the feelings that you're going through and will work with you to help you reach a decision that is a WIN/WIN, because if you're not happy, we're not happy.

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Whether you have vintage cards or modern wax you want to sell, you can reach out to us any time!