1978 Topps Luis Tiant #255
Luis Tiant · Topps · Base
Player
Luis Tiant
Set
1978 Topps Baseball
Year
1978
Card #
#255
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) - PSA 6 (EX-MT). Estimated based on visible top-down shifts in centering (Approx 70/30 L-R and 65/35 T-B), soft corner wear on the top right, and potential light surface abrasions characteristic of the 1978 stock.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate - Primarily driven by Red Sox team collectors and vintage set completionists. Luis Tiant remains a beloved hobby figure but this is a high-pop base card.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $4.00
Graded Value
PSA 5: $8-$12, PSA 6: $15-$22, PSA 7: $30-$45
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies are consistently between $0.99 and $3.00. PSA 8 examples usually sell for $50-$70, but this specific card's centering and corner wear would prevent it from reaching that tier.
Description
Authentic 1978 Topps Luis Tiant card featuring a classic action shot of the Red Sox legend in his windup. The card features the iconic 1978 multi-colored block design with the player silhouette icon in the bottom left corner. Crisp color and decent focus on the photography with typical vintage white-bordered stock.
Key Features
Features Red Sox legend and 3-time All-Star Luis Tiant during his tenure in Boston. This is a core set filler for 1978 Topps set builders and a must-have for Tiant player collectors.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The 'cardboard' stock texture, specific red-border bleed on the inner frame, and ink-dot pattern are consistent with 1978 Topps production. No signs of reprint or alteration are visible.
Flaws to Note
Centering is noticeably shifted toward the left and top borders. The top-right corner shows slight rounding/softening. There is minor chipping evident on the right edge. Storage wear on the raw surface is likely given it is not pictured in a protective sleeve.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best suited for eBay (as a 'Buy It Now' with 'Standard Envelope' shipping) or as part of a lot at a local card show. High-end auction houses are not recommended due to the card's low raw value.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the cost of grading ($19+) far exceeds the market value of a mid-grade example. Take photos out of the sleeve to show clarity, but ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader. Use '1978 Topps Luis Tiant #255 Red Sox' in the listing title.