1991 Fleer Ultra Joe Montana #171
Joe Montana · Fleer (Ultra Brand) · Base
Player
Joe Montana
Set
1991 Fleer Ultra Football
Year
1991
Card #
#171
Condition Grade
Estimated PSA 7 (Near Mint). Pros: Sharp colors, decent centering. Cons: Top-right corner shows visible whitening/ding, bottom-left edge wear, visible silver foil scuffing on the top 'Ultra' logo.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Fleer (Ultra Brand)
Demand Level
Moderate. While Joe Montana is a top-tier legend, this is a high-print-run base card from a saturated era. It sells steadily to player collectors and set builders but lacks the scarcity of modern parallels or vintage rookies.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $15 - $25, PSA 9: $45 - $60, PSA 10: $250 - $350 (Note: A PSA 7 or lower is generally worth less than the cost of grading).
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales range from $0.99 to $2.50. PSA 10 examples occasionally reach $300+, but high-grade copies (9 and 10) are becoming rarer due to the surface sensitivity of the 1991 Ultra gloss.
Description
This 1991 Fleer Ultra Joe Montana #171 features the legendary 49ers quarterback poised for a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Set against a full-bleed photo design, the card includes the iconic silver foil 'Fleer Ultra' logo in the upper left and a clean grey border at the bottom with player details. This was the debut year for the premium 'Ultra' brand, known for its high-gloss finish and action photography.
Key Features
Hall of Fame player, iconic 49ers red jersey, debut year of the Fleer Ultra set, highly recognizable early 90s design.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. This card belongs to the 'Junk Wax' era with millions printed; counterfeits are extremely rare as the market value is low. Indicators include the specific silver foil stamp texture and the high-gloss UV coating characteristic of 1991 Ultra.
Flaws to Note
Significant corner wear visible on the top right edge. The glossy surface is prone to scratching. Silver foil logo shows minor oxidation/rubbing. The bottom gray border is susceptible to white chipping which is appearing on the bottom left corner.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best suited for eBay (as part of a lot or low-cost PWE listing), COMC (Check Out My Cards), or trade bait at a local card show. Shipping as a single via eBay Standard Envelope is the most cost-effective method.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this specific card; the cost of grading ($19+) far exceeds the market value of a PSA 7/8. When listing, use keywords like 'San Francisco 49ers', 'GOAT', and 'HOF'. Ensure the card is in a fresh penny sleeve and top-loader before photographing to enhance visual appeal.