In 2023, a remarkable trend took hold in the world of sports card collecting, as a renewed interest in vintage cards from the 1950s to the 1980s emerged. Major authentication and grading companies such as PSA, ISA, BGS, and SGC all noted a significant surge in submissions of cards from these bygone eras, indicating a growing fascination among collectors with the rich history of sports memorabilia.
Leading the pack in this vintage revival was the iconic 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. card. A true hallmark of baseball card collecting, this card saw an astonishing increase of nearly 14,000 new graded copies in 2023, outpacing any other sports card from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, or 80s. With a total of almost 161,000 graded copies now in existence, the Griffey card has truly cemented its place as a cornerstone of sports card collecting.
In the realm of baseball, the 1980s era was further defined by the popularity of 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 utterly dominated by the legendary Michael Jordan. All five of the most graded basketball cards from the 1980s were of Jordan, with his 1989 Hoops card leading the way boasting 5,130 new grades.
The iconic Mickey Mantle, a legend of the 1950s and 60s baseball card scene, was represented by four of the top ten cards from these decades. His 1966 Topps card alone received 2,845 new grades. Football cards from the same era were led by Jim Brown, with his 1958 Topps rookie card and 1959 Topps card soaring in popularity. The 1970s were also marked by notable rookie cards, including Walter Payton’s 1976 rookie card in football and George Brett’s 1975 rookie card in baseball, each joining the ranks of the most graded sports cards.
Interestingly, the 1950s basketball cards, though relatively few in number, saw a significant number of grades for Bill Russell’s rookie card and his Celtics teammate, Bob Cousy. Hockey, equally determined not to be left out, boasted Wayne Gretzky’s 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee rookie card as the most graded, outpacing even the Topps version.
The grading phenomenon of vintage cards extended beyond the most popular names. 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, and the 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie in baseball. In basketball, the 1972-73 Topps Julius Erving rookie and the 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor rookie were also prominently graded. Hockey similarly saw a few vintage cards graded more than 1,000 times, highlighting the growing interest in this sport’s memorabilia.
This resurgence of interest in vintage sports cards extends beyond mere trendiness; it serves as a testament to the nostalgia and historical significance these cards hold. They represent a tangible connection to the past, to the heroes and legends of the sports world. For collectors, these cards are not just pieces of cardboard but are pieces of living history, a tangible link to the athletes and moments that have shaped the world of sports.
The increasing number of graded vintage sports cards also indicates a growing awareness of their value, both monetarily and sentimentally. 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.
As we reflect on the year 2023, it becomes clear that this period marked a significant chapter in the story of sports card collecting. It was a year that witnessed vintage cards receive a new level of attention and appreciation, a year where the pastimes of previous generations were celebrated and cherished anew. This resurgence serves as a powerful reminder that sports cards are more than just collectibles; they are a special way for us to connect with the history of sports, to honor the greats of the game, and to keep their legacy alive for future generations to cherish.