Franco Harris
Running Back · Pittsburgh Steelers
1973 Topps Football ##89
Year & Era
1973 — Vintage Era
Card Type
Base Second-Year Card
Grade
PSA 2 (Good) to PSA 3 (VG) estimated
Rarity
High print run as a 1973 Topps base card, but surviving low-grade copies are common while high-grade (PSA 8+) copies are rare
Overall Assessment
A heavily worn, lower-grade second-year card of a legendary Hall of Famer, offering affordable entry into vintage collecting despite significant surface and edge damage
Condition Grade
PSA 2 (Good) to PSA 3 (VG) estimated
Centering Assessment
Front: Heavy heavy shift to the right and bottom, very poor centering
Surface Condition
Poor surface quality with notable creasing, scratches, and wear across the image area
Corner Condition
Heavy rounding, fraying, and softening on all four corners
Edge Condition
Significant chipping, peeling, and roughness along all four edges
Print Quality
Typical 1973 Topps vintage print quality with grainy photo reproduction and standard border cutting variations
Estimated Value
Raw estimated at $10 to $25 depending on buyer, graded PSA 2 around $30-$50
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy is significantly below average condition-wise due to the prominent horizontal crease and heavy edge wear compared to typical surviving examples
Authentication Tips
Check for correct card stock thickness, vintage cardboard smell, accurate font types for Topps 1973 set, and absence of modern dot-matrix printing patterns under magnification
Grading Recommendation
SGC or PSA, though grading is generally not financially worthwhile for this specific copy due to heavy creasing and low market value
Red Flags
No signs of modern counterfeiting or trimming; wear appears entirely authentic and natural from age and handling
Provenance Notes
Sourced from vintage wax packs, rack packs, or complete sets distributed in 1973; typical raw find from a childhood collection
Historical Context
Franco Harris was a legendary Hall of Fame running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, famous for his pivotal role in the Immaculate Reception and multiple Super Bowl titles
Market Trends
Stable demand for Hall of Fame vintage cards of this era, but prices heavily favor well-centered, high-grade specimens
Investment Potential
Low investment growth for low-grade copies; primarily a budget-friendly piece for set builders or Franco Harris player collectors
Similar Cards
1972 Topps Franco Harris Rookie Card (#36), 1974 Topps Franco Harris, other 1973 Topps Steelers cards like Terry Bradshaw
Display & Preservation
Store in a penny sleeve and semi-rigid holder (such as a Cardboard Gold or Card Shellz) away from direct sunlight and high humidity
Interesting Facts
The 1973 Topps set is well-known for its colorful pink and brown border designs and large team name headers