1973 Topps Joe Greene #280
Joe Greene (Mean Joe Greene) · Topps (T.C.G., INC.) · Base Card / Hall of Fame (HOF)
Player
Joe Greene (Mean Joe Greene)
Set
1973 Topps Football
Year
1973
Card #
280
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (VG) to PSA 4 (VG-EX)
Category
Base Card / Hall of Fame (HOF)
Manufacturer
Topps (T.C.G., INC.)
Demand Level
Strong
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $35.00
Graded Value
PSA 3: $30-45, PSA 4: $50-70, PSA 5: $85-110
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw examples in similar VG-EX condition range from $18 to $32. PSA 4 examples have recently closed between $60 and $75. Market for mid-grade Hall of Famers remains very stable.
Description
A vintage 1973 Topps football card featuring Pittsburgh Steelers legendary defensive tackle Joe Greene. The reverse features a reddish-pink and blue color scheme with a biographical paragraph, player statistics including his college (North Texas State), and a 'Mean Joe' comic-style trivia cartoon at the bottom asking about Herb Adderley's Super Bowls. The card boasts the classic T.C.G. logo and 'PRTD in U.S.A.' mark.
Key Features
Features Hall of Fame defensive icon Mean Joe Greene from his prime years with the 1970s 'Steel Curtain' Steelers defense. Highly collectible vintage year with significant cross-over appeal between Steelers fans and NFL history buffs.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence (95%+). Card stock displays correct gray-brown pulp texture for early 70s Topps; ink absorption on the pink/red borders is consistent with period-specific offset lithography; 'T.C.G.' copyright and 'PRTD IN U.S.A.' are in the correct font and placement. This card is rarely faked in this condition.
Flaws to Note
Significant softening and rounding of all four corners is visible. The top edge shows minor chipping. Centering appears slightly shifted toward the top. The reverse shows typical age-related toning/darkening of the card stock and some surface wear near the bottom right border.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the primary market for vintage football cards of this value range. For high-volume sellers, COMC or MySlabs are excellent alternatives. Local card shows in the Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania area would see immediate interest from team collectors.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the grading fees ($19-$25+) would likely exceed or equal the added value for a mid-lower grade example. List as 'Vintage 1973 Topps Mean Joe Greene #280' for maximum SEO. Ship using a penny sleeve and a rigid top-loader within a bubble mailer or a tracked eBay standard envelope to ensure protection.