1978 Topps Emmitt Thomas #426
Emmitt Thomas · Topps · Base
Player
Emmitt Thomas
Set
1978 Topps Football
Year
1978
Card #
426
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) to PSA 6 (EX-MT). Visible centering is shifted slightly to the left. The corners show light whitening/softening. The edges appear relatively clean but the overall card stock shows typical vintage aging.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low/Moderate. Mainly sought after by Kansas City Chiefs team collectors or Hall of Fame 'Player Run' collectors. Since he is a Hall of Famer, there is a steady but small niche market.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 6: $10-15; PSA 7: $20-30; PSA 8: $50-70
Comparable Sales
Recent raw copies of this card typically sell for $1.50 to $4.00 including shipping. PSA 8 (NM-MT) copies have historically sold for $50-$65, but lower grades (PSA 6 and below) often sell for less than the cost of the grading fee.
Description
This is the back of a 1978 Topps football card featuring Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame cornerback Emmitt Thomas. The card back is green with a distinct 1970s Topps design, featuring full career stats from 1966 to 1977 and a cartoon illustration in a helmet-shaped bubble depicting Thomas playing tennis. It also includes the copyright '1978 TOPPS CHEWING GUM INC.' and 'PRTD. IN U.S.A.'
Key Features
Features a Pro Football Hall of Famer (Class of 2008). This card represents the later stages of his career, documenting his status as the leading active interceptor in the AFC at the time. Classic late-70s Topps design.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence in authenticity. The cardboard stock is the correct brownish-grey vintage pulp used by Topps in the late 70s. The 'D*' copyright mark and specific green ink shade are consistent with original production. Not a high-risk card for counterfeiting.
Flaws to Note
Left-to-right centering is approximately 65/35 toward the left edge. Bottom right corner shows visible softening. Mild surface wear consistent with age is present on the green card stock.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay as a 'Buy It Now' with 'Best Offer' enabled, or through a local card shop's vintage bin. Consignment via COMC is an option if you have many similar vintage cards.
Selling Tips
Due to the high cost of grading ($19+) vs. the market value of a mid-grade example, grading is NOT recommended for this card. Sell it 'Raw' (ungraded). Use high-resolution scans of both front and back for the listing.