1961 Topps Curt Flood #178
Curt Flood · Topps · Base
Player
Curt Flood
Set
1961 Topps Base Set
Year
1961
Card #
#178
Condition Grade
PSA 3 (VG) - Centering is significantly shifted to the right (90/10). Top-left and bottom-right corners show softening and rounding. Edges exhibit white chipping against the dark card borders. Surface appears clean but lacks original gloss.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. Curt Flood has a niche following among Cardinals historians and civil rights/labor movement enthusiasts. Base cards of non-HOFers from this era sell steadily but do not have 'hot' breakout potential.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10.00 - $20.00
Graded Value
PSA 2: $10-15, PSA 3: $18-25, PSA 4: $35-45. (High grades command premiums, but this card is a low-grade candidate).
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales for 1961 Topps Flood in similar low-mid grade condition range from $12 to $18. PSA 6 (EX-MT) copies typically reach $60-$80, but this card's centering would prevent it from reaching those levels.
Description
This is a 1961 Topps Curt Flood #178 card featuring the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder. The reverse side (shown) highlights his 1960 statistics and career highlights, including his .340 Carolina League batting title from 1956. The design features a horizontal layout with a player photo on the left and a bio/stat block on the right.
Key Features
Curt Flood is a historically significant figure for his challenge to the MLB reserve clause, leading to free agency. This card is part of one of Topps' most iconic early 60s designs and features a key member of the Cardinals' era.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The cardboard stock shows the correct grey/light brown fibrous texture for the era. The print pattern under magnification shows the proper dot-matrix process for 1961 Topps. The ink aging and wear patterns are consistent with authentic 1960s cardboard.
Flaws to Note
Significant right-side centering issues (OC). Softening on all four corners. Visible whitening/chipping along the bottom edge where the black border meets the stats table. Modest surface wear consistent with age.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this specific card due to the high volume of vintage set builders. A 'Buy It Now' with 'Best Offer' would likely result in a sale within 2 weeks.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the grading fees will likely exceed the market value of a PSA 2-3. List it as '1961 Topps Curt Flood #178 St. Louis Cardinals - Vintage Original.' Provide a clear photo of the front to match this photo of the back. Ship in a penny sleeve and top loader inside a non-machinable envelope to keep costs low for the buyer.