1969-70 Topps Don Nelson #19
Don Nelson · Topps · Base
Player
Don Nelson
Set
1969-70 Topps Basketball
Year
1969
Card #
#19
Condition Grade
PSA 2 (Good) to PSA 3 (Very Good)
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. While Nelson is a legend, his cards are mostly sought by set builders and Celtics team collectors rather than speculative investors.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $30.00
Graded Value
PSA 2: $35-45, PSA 3: $55-70, PSA 4: $90-110
Comparable Sales
Recent sales for raw, mid-grade copies range from $20 to $35. PSA 3 copies have recently sold for approximately $60, while PSA 6 examples reach over $175.
Description
This is an iconic 1969-70 Topps 'Tall Boy' basketball card featuring Boston Celtics legend Don Nelson. The card measures 2-1/2" by 4-11/16", significantly larger than standard cards of the era. Nelson is depicted in a Celtics home green jersey within an orange oval vignette, surrounded by four unique black-and-white action illustrations. The bottom of the card features 'BOSTON' in bold red outlined text.
Key Features
Hall of Fame player (inducted as a coach); highly desirable 'Tall Boy' oversized format; vintage Boston Celtics collector appeal; part of the first major basketball set produced by Topps since 1957.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity Confidence: High. The card displays period-appropriate chipboard stock and vintage 'bubble gum' card scent. The halftone printing on the orange oval shows a correct dot pattern for 1960s lithography.
Flaws to Note
Significant corner rounding; notable edge wear and chipping along the right-hand side; centering is shifted toward the bottom-right corner; surface shows visible handling wear and minor staining in the white borders.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card due to the high volume of vintage set builders. A fixed-price 'Buy It Now' with 'Best Offer' enabled would be more effective than an auction given the mid-grade condition.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card at current service prices; the cost of grading would likely exceed the added value for a PSA 2/3. Use a 'Tall Boy' sized top loader for shipping. Highlight 'Hall of Fame' and 'Tall Boy' in the listing title to capture search traffic.