1973 Topps Ken Anderson Rookie Card #230
Ken Anderson · Topps · Rookie Card (RC), Base
Player
Ken Anderson
Set
1973 Topps Football
Year
1973
Card #
230
Condition Grade
PSA 4 (VG-EX) to PSA 5 (EX)
Category
Rookie Card (RC), Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate to Strong. Anderson remains a popular figure for Bengals heritage collectors and Pro Football Hall of Fame 'Senior Committee' advocates.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $35.00
Graded Value
PSA 4: $25-35, PSA 5: $45-60, PSA 6: $85-110
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar VG-EX condition range from $20 to $35. PSA 5 graded copies have recently sold for approximately $55, while PSA 7 examples fluctuate between $150 and $200.
Description
This is the iconic 1973 Topps Ken Anderson rookie card, featuring the legendary Cincinnati Bengals quarterback during his earliest years in the NFL. The card design utilizes the classic 1973 Topps 'football helmet' nameplate art at the bottom. Anderson is pictured in his white Bengals jersey and orange helmet, holding a Wilson football in a passing stance. The card features light green and orange borders with crisp white outer margins.
Key Features
This is the official rookie card for Ken Anderson, 4-time Pro Bowler and 1981 NFL MVP. It is a cornerstone piece for Bengals collectors and fans of 1970s NFL legends. As an early '70s Topps issue, high-grade examples are difficult to find due to centering issues and corner wear common to the era.
Authenticity Indicators
Authentic period card stock with appropriate matte finish. Printing displays the correct dot matrix pattern consistent with 1973 Topps lithography. The green border hue is accurate for the set. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
The card is noticeably off-center toward the bottom-left. The top-right corner shows visible softening and slight rounding. There appears to be light surface wear on the lower half of the card and some minor edge chipping along the right border. One small print defect (white dot) is visible on the green border above the player's right shoulder.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card's current condition. COMC is a good secondary option for long-term listing. Vintage sports card Facebook groups specific to the Cincinnati Bengals will also have high interest.
Selling Tips
Due to the centering and corner wear, grading this card would likely not yield a high enough return to justify the service fees unless you intend to preserve it for a personal collection. Use keywords like 'Ken Anderson Rookie', '1973 Topps Football', and 'Cincinnati Bengals' to drive traffic. Ship in a penny sleeve and top loader inside a bubble mailer for protection.