1969-70 Topps Earl Monroe #80
Earl Monroe · Topps · Base (Hall of Fame)
Player
Earl Monroe
Set
1969-70 Topps Basketball
Year
1969
Card #
80
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (VG) - Estimated. Centering is heavily shifted to the right. The top-left corner shows significant rounding and softening. There are visible surface creases on the left-hand side and general edge wear.
Category
Base (Hall of Fame)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate-Strong. Earl Monroe is a respected Hall of Famer and 'Tall Boy' cards remain a high-demand vintage specialty despite condition issues.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$40.00 - $65.00
Graded Value
PSA 2: $30-45, PSA 3: $60-85, PSA 4: $110-140
Comparable Sales
Recent sales for raw 1969 Topps Monroe cards in similar VG condition have fluctuated between $45 and $75. PSA 3 graded copies recently sold for approximately $80-$95. Lower-grade PSA 1 or 2 examples often sell between $25 and $40.
Description
1969-70 Topps Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe card #80. This is the iconic 'Tall Boy' vintage basketball design, measuring approximately 2-11/16" by 4-11/16". The reverse features Earl Monroe in his second professional season with the Baltimore Bullets, highlighting his status as the 1967-68 Rookie of the Year and his nickname 'The Magician' with a classic cartoon illustration of him juggling basketballs.
Key Features
Hall of Fame player, iconic 'Tall Boy' set design, early career card (second year), notable Baltimore Bullets era history.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity Confidence: High. The card exhibits the correct 'Tall Boy' dimensions, porous cardstock texture associated with 1960s Topps, and the 'T.C.G. PRTD. IN U.S.A.' copyright line on the bottom right of the reverse. Print dot patterns are consistent with period lithography.
Flaws to Note
The card is significantly off-center toward the right edge. Significant corner rounding is present on the top-left and bottom corners. There is a visible horizontal crease on the left side near the middle text section. Surface has some light staining and biological wear consistent with age.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card in raw condition to capture the widest range of vintage basketball collectors. For higher-end versions, Heritage or Goldin would be appropriate, but this specific card is best for a player/set collector on a marketplace.
Selling Tips
Due to the crease and visible wear, the cost of grading may equal or exceed the value added. Sell as 'Raw/Ungraded' but take high-resolution photos of the corners and creases. Use keywords like 'Tall Boy', 'Vintage Basketball', and 'Hall of Fame' in the title. Ship in a specialized tall-boy top loader or cardboard sandwich to prevent further corner dinging.