1971-72 Topps Julian Hammond #174
Julian Hammond · Topps (T.C.G.) · Base / Vintage ABA Card
Player
Julian Hammond
Set
1971-72 Topps Basketball
Year
1971
Card #
174
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (VG) - Centering is heavily shifted to the top; corners show significant rounding and fraying. Edges have chipping and minor silvering. Surface shows visible toning and characteristic vintage wear.
Category
Base / Vintage ABA Card
Manufacturer
Topps (T.C.G.)
Demand Level
Low to Moderate. There is a niche market for ABA collectors and set builders. Julian Hammond was a solid player but is not a Hall of Famer, which limits broader investment demand.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$3.00 - $8.00
Graded Value
PSA 2: $10-15, PSA 3: $18-25, PSA 4: $30-40 (Note: Grading costs likely exceed the market value of this specific card).
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales of low-grade common cards from the 1971-72 set typically range from $2 to $10 depending on the player. Centered PSA 6s of this specific card have sold in the $40-60 range, but lower grades rarely trade at a premium.
Description
This is the reverse side of a 1971-72 Topps Julian Hammond basketball card, featuring his tenure with the Denver Rockets of the ABA. The back includes a biographical blurb nicknamed 'Mr. Speed,' career professional statistics from 1967 to 1971, and a cartoon trivia section about the first coach of the Denver Rockets (Bob Bass). The card features the classic 1971-72 horizontal back layout with green and blue ink on grey/brown cardboard stock.
Key Features
Features a player from the American Basketball Association (ABA), which has a cult following among vintage basketball collectors. It is a lower-number card in a set known for its vibrant 'Tri-Color' front design.
Authenticity Indicators
Confidence: High. The card shows correct 1970s cardboard 'pulp' texture, specific font types used by T.C.G. (Topps) during this era, and 'snow' (white ink flecks) common in vintage printing. It is not a high-profile enough card to be a common target for counterfeiting.
Flaws to Note
Significant top-to-bottom centering bias. The corners are rounded and soft, particularly the top-left corner as viewed from the back. Edges show shelf wear and minor chipping consistent with 50+ year old cardboard. The stock shows natural age-related discoloration (toning).
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a Buy It Now with 'Best Offer'), COMC, or vintage-specific Facebook trade groups like 'Vintage Basketball Card Collectors.'
Selling Tips
Highlight the ABA team (Denver Rockets) in the title, as ABA collectors often search by team. Due to the condition, this card is best sold raw rather than graded. Ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader via eBay Standard Envelope to keep shipping costs low for the buyer.