1961 Post Cereal Curt Flood #178
Curt Flood · Post Cereal · Food Issue / Base
Player
Curt Flood
Set
1961 Post Cereal Baseball
Year
1961
Card #
178
Condition Grade
Authentic (Hand-Cut). Estimated technical grade: PSA 3-4 (VG-EX equivalent). Vertical centering is poor with uneven top/bottom cuts.
Category
Food Issue / Base
Manufacturer
Post Cereal
Demand Level
Moderate. Curt Flood has a very dedicated following among Cardinals team collectors and baseball historians. Demand relies on set builders looking to complete the massive 200-card Post cereal checklist.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 3: $30.00-45.00, PSA 4: $50.00-75.00, PSA 5: $100.00+
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales for 1961 Post Flood cards range from $12 to $22 depending on the sharpness of the cut. PSA 4 examples have recently moved in the $55-$70 range.
Description
A classic 1961 Post Cereal Curt Flood #178. This card was originally part of a cereal box and was hand-cut by a consumer. It features a portrait of the Cardinals outfielder in his navy blue cap, a detailed biographical blurb, and 1960/lifetime statistics. The card displays vibrant color and a clean back, typical of cards preserved away from the cereal contents.
Key Features
Curt Flood is a historical icon known for his challenge to MLB's reserve clause, which paved the way for free agency. This is an early career 'food issue' card, which is often harder to find in high grades than standard Topps issues due to the hand-cutting process.
Authenticity Indicators
Confidence: High. The cardboard stock matches the recycled grey-toned fibrous material used in 1961 Post boxes. The 'halftone' printing pattern in the photo is consistent with 1960s lithography and not modern digital reproduction.
Flaws to Note
Hand-cut edges are uneven. Top border is cut very close to the 'Baseball Star Card' text, while the bottom has excess white margin. Minor corner softening is visible. Surface shows localized light toning.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the primary market for hand-cut food issues. It would also do well in St. Louis-based sports card Facebook groups or vintage-specific forums like Net54.
Selling Tips
Do not grade unless you believe it can achieve a PSA 5 or higher, as the grading fees often exceed the value of mid-grade hand-cut cards. Use 'Hand-Cut' in the title. Photography should be on a dark, flat surface to clearly show the quality of the edge cuts.