1977 Topps John Matuszak #173
John Matuszak · Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. · Base
Player
John Matuszak
Set
1977 Topps Football
Year
1977
Card #
173
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT) to PSA 7 (Near Mint) estimate. Based on the back: centering is excellent (approx 50/50), but there is visible edge wear on the left side and slight corner softness on the bottom right.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps Chewing Gum, Inc.
Demand Level
Moderate. Matuszak has a cult following due to his NFL career and his later acting career, specifically in The Goonies.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$2.00 - $6.00
Graded Value
PSA 6: $15-25, PSA 7: $35-50, PSA 8: $90-120
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales average between $3 and $8 including shipping. PSA 7 examples have recently sold for approximately $45.
Description
This is the 1977 Topps John Matuszak card (#173) featuring the former Oakland Raiders defensive end. The card back features a classic brown cardstock with red and black text, including the 'College Corner' blurb detailing his time at the University of Tampa. The card notes his status as the #1 overall pick in 1973 and his contribution to the Raiders' Super Bowl XI victory.
Key Features
Features John 'The Tooz' Matuszak, a pop-culture icon and #1 overall draft pick. He is famously known for playing 'Sloth' in the movie The Goonies. This card represents his first year with the Oakland Raiders.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. Correct cardstock thickness, vintage recycled fiber texture, period-accurate typography, and the signature 'star' copyright mark on the bottom left. Not a commonly counterfeited card.
Flaws to Note
Light chipping and whitening along the left edge. Minor softening of the bottom right corner. The surface shows typical graininess for 1970s recycled cardstock.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this specific card, as it has the highest volume of vintage football collectors and Goonies memorabilia seekers.
Selling Tips
Due to the estimated grade, it is likely not worth the cost of grading unless you believe it can hit a PSA 8 or higher. List on eBay with keywords like 'The Tooz', 'Raiders', and 'Goonies Sloth' to attract crossover collectors.