1980 Topps Jack Thompson Rookie Card #347
Jack Thompson · Topps · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Jack Thompson
Set
1980 Topps Football
Year
1980
Card #
#347
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) or PSA 7 (Near Mint). Top-to-bottom centering is poor (approx 80/20), while left-to-right is excellent. Edges show minor chipping and the bottom-right corner has slight rounding.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low to Niche. Thompson is a 'cult classic' player for Bengals and Washington State fans, but he does not have the Hall of Fame status that drives high-volume demand.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 6: $5-10, PSA 7: $15-20, PSA 8: $45-60
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for $1-2 plus shipping. PSA 8 copies have recently sold in the $50 range, but this specific card's centering would likely prevent it from achieving a high grade.
Description
This 1980 Topps football card features a close-up portrait of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jack Thompson, famously known as 'The Throwin' Samoan.' The card utilizes the classic 1980 Topps design with an orange and purple nameplate set inside a football icon. It honors Thompson's rookie year in the league following his standout career at Washington State.
Key Features
Official Rookie Card (RC) of the #3 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft; iconic 1980s Topps design; notable for Jack Thompson's status as a pioneer for Polynesian players in the NFL.
Authenticity Indicators
Authentic card stock with appropriate matte finish; vintage 'dot' printing pattern visible in skin tones; accurate 1980 Topps color palette. Confidence: High. Rarely counterfeited due to low market value.
Flaws to Note
Significant top-to-bottom centering issues (heavy towards the bottom); light corner wear on the bottom edge; minor surface pitting visible in the dark areas of the jersey.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a 'Buy It Now' or part of a bulk lot), COMC for passive sales, or specialized Bengals fan groups on Facebook.
Selling Tips
Due to the low value and centering issues, grading this card is not recommended as the fees will exceed the market value. List it as '1980 Topps Jack Thompson RC' and use a high-quality scan to show the corner condition. Best sold as part of a 1980 Topps set-building lot.