Fran Tarkenton
Quarterback · New York Giants
Topps Football ##80
Year & Era
1970 — Vintage Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
PSA 4 (VG-EX) to PSA 5 (EX) estimated
Rarity
Common vintage card in terms of total production, but difficult to find in high mint grades due to sensitive blue borders and centering issues.
Overall Assessment
A quintessential 1970s vintage card of a Hall of Fame icon. While this copy shows mid-grade wear, it retains excellent eye appeal and is a staple for any Giants or HOF collector.
Condition Grade
PSA 4 (VG-EX) to PSA 5 (EX) estimated
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears moderately off-center, approximately 65/35 top-to-bottom and shifted slightly to the right.
Surface Condition
Visible print snow/haze and minor surface wear typical of the card stock from this era. Some minor pitting or ink speckling near the player's face.
Corner Condition
Show visible softening and light fraying, typical of mid-grade vintage. The bottom-left corner shows distinct rounding.
Edge Condition
Minor chipping and whitening along the blue borders, particularly on the left vertical edge.
Print Quality
Average for 1970; the blue color is vibrant, but standard registration artifacts and minor 'print snow' are present.
Estimated Value
Raw: $10 - $25; PSA 5: $40 - $60; PSA 7: $150+ (based on current market volatility for Hall of Fame vintage giants cards)
Comparison to Known Examples
Centering is slightly below the 50/50 ideal found in 'Pop 1' high-grade examples; however, the color remains strong.
Authentication Tips
Verify paper stock (should be gray/brown cardboard), check for the 'Topps' copyright on the back, and look for standard letterpress ink patterns under magnification.
Grading Recommendation
SGC is highly recommended for vintage aesthetics and price efficiency; PSA is recommended if the goal is maximum ROI for a card that might hit a 6 or higher.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; wear patterns appear natural to the era's stock.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in wax packs and cello packs during the 1970 NFL season.
Historical Context
This card captures Tarkenton during his five-season stint with the Giants (1967–1971) between his legendary runs with the Vikings.
Market Trends
Stable. Tarkenton remains a top-tier legend of the game, keeping his early-to-mid career cards in constant demand among HOF collectors.
Investment Potential
Moderate. It is a solid 'Blue Chip' vintage card that acts as a hedge against more volatile modern cards, though price appreciation is slow and steady.
Similar Cards
1970 Topps O.J. Simpson (Rookie), 1970 Topps Joe Namath, 1962 Topps Fran Tarkenton Rookie Card.
Display & Preservation
Should be kept in a PVC-free penny sleeve and a semi-rigid Card Saver or top loader. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading of the blue ink.
Interesting Facts
Tarkenton retired as the NFL's all-time leader in nearly every major passing category and was famous for his 'scrambling' style which revolutionized the QB position.