1969-70 Topps Basketball Don Nelson #46
Don Nelson · Topps · Base
Player
Don Nelson
Set
1969-70 Topps Basketball 'Tall Boys'
Year
1969
Card #
46
Condition Grade
PSA 2 (Good) to PSA 3 (VG). Centering is slightly off-top; corners show significant rounding/softening; edges have visible chipping and surface show spotting/foxing.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. Don Nelson has a strong niche following among Celtics collectors and those completing the iconic 1969 Tall Boy set.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $30.00
Graded Value
PSA 2: $35-45, PSA 3: $55-75, PSA 4: $100-125
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar 'Good/VG' condition range from $18 to $28. PSA 3 copies have recently sold in the $60 range. High-grade (PSA 8+) copies of this card can fetch over $1,000, but lower grades remain affordable.
Description
This is a vintage 1969-70 Topps Basketball card featuring Boston Celtics legend and Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson. The card features the iconic 'Tall Boy' oversized design measuring approximately 2-1/2" x 4-11/16". It showcases Nelson in his green Celtics jersey within an orange oval, surrounded by white space and small black player illustrations.
Key Features
Hall of Fame coach/player, iconic 'Tall Boy' oversized design which is highly collectible, vintage 1960s Boston Celtics memorabilia.
Authenticity Indicators
The card stock thickness and texture appear consistent with late 60s Topps issues. The ink bleed on the red 'BOSTON' text and the specific dot pattern (rosettes) in the orange oval are typical of genuine printing. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Corners are significantly rounded (especially bottom right), there is heavy edge wear and chipping common to this oversized set, and visible brown spots/foxing on the white borders and around the 'DON NELSON' text.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this specific card due to the high volume of set builders searching there. COMC is a secondary option for vintage raw cards.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this specific card unless you believe it will clear a PSA 4, as the grading fees currently exceed the value gain for lower-grade Nelson cards. Use a 'Tall Boy' sized top loader for protection and mention 'Tall Boy' in the eBay title. Take a clear photo of the back to show the cartoon and stats.