1977 Topps Lydell Mitchell #495
Lydell Mitchell · Topps · Base Card / Special Designation (1,000 Yarder)
Player
Lydell Mitchell
Set
1977 Topps Football Base Set
Year
1977
Card #
#495
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) to PSA 6 (EX-MT). Centering is heavily shifted to the right (approx 75/25). Bottom right corner shows slight rounding. Surface appears clean but edges have minor chipping characteristic of 70s Topps stock.
Category
Base Card / Special Designation (1,000 Yarder)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate to Low. Primary demand comes from Colts team collectors, Lydell Mitchell fans, or set builders completing the 1977 Topps run.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.50 - $4.00
Graded Value
PSA 5: $10-15, PSA 6: $18-25, PSA 7: $35-45. High-grade (PSA 9+) copies of this card are significantly rarer but this specific unit would not qualify due to centering.
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales for this card in EX condition typically land in the $2-4 range. PSA 8 examples (much better centered than this one) sell for approximately $60-80. PSA 6 copies recently sold for around $20.
Description
A classic 1977 Topps football card featuring Baltimore Colts star running back Lydell Mitchell. The card features the iconic '1000 Yarder' black football badge in the lower-left corner, commemorating his statistical achievement. Mitchell is shown in a close-up profile wearing his white Colts helmet and jersey number 26. The 1977 design is known for its banner-style team name and player name at the top.
Key Features
Features a 3-time Pro Bowler and Colts Ring of Honor member. Part of the '1,000 Yarder' subset within the base 1977 Topps run. Iconic late-70s Topps design.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence in authenticity. Standard 1977 Topps card stock with correct brown/gray cardboard backing. Printing shows the correct CMYK halftone pattern visible under magnification. This card is not commonly faked given its modest market value.
Flaws to Note
Significant right-side centering bias. The top and bottom white borders are fairly even, but the right border is very thin compared to the left. Mild corner wear on the bottom right. Slight rough cut typical of O-Pee-Chee or Topps cards from this era.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for a single mid-grade card of this type. It could also be sold as part of a lot of 1970s football stars on Facebook Marketplace or at a local card show in a dollar bin.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the grading fees will far exceed the market value of the expected grade. Use an eBay Standard Envelope (under $1 shipping) to remain competitive. Use keywords like 'Vintage Colts', '1000 Yarder', and 'Lydell Mitchell 1977'.