1971-72 Topps NBA Basketball Champions #1 Milwaukee Bucks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Milwaukee Bucks Team · Topps · Base / League Leaders / Subset
Player
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Milwaukee Bucks Team
Set
1971-72 Topps Basketball
Year
1971
Card #
#1
Condition Grade
PSA 1 (Poor) to PSA 1.5 (Fair). Centering is heavily shifted top-to-bottom. Corners are rounded with significant wear, especially top-left. Surface shows visible staining, creases, and substantial edge chipping.
Category
Base / League Leaders / Subset
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. While it is a Hall of Famer card and #1 in the set, the heavy wear limits it to 'filler' status for budget-conscious set builders or team collectors.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$10.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 1: $30-45, PSA 2: $60-80, PSA 3: $110-140. Note: Current condition unlikely to exceed PSA 1.
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar low-grade condition (P/Fair) range from $12 to $22. PSA 1 encapsulated copies typically auction for $35-$50.
Description
This is the iconic 1971-72 Topps #1 card celebrating the 1970-71 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. The card features an action shot of Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson celebrating their title victory. It features the classic 1971 'arch' design with a red border and blue text. A foundational piece for any vintage basketball collector.
Key Features
Card #1 of the set; features two Top-10 all-time NBA legends (Kareem and Oscar); commemorates the first championship in Bucks history; high demand due to the iconic status of the 1971-72 Topps set.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity confidence: Medium-High. The card stock shows the appropriate age-related toning for 50-year-old cardboard. The 'halftone' print pattern in the dark background is consistent with 1970s Topps offset lithography. Not commonly counterfeited in this low condition.
Flaws to Note
Significant 'rounding' on all four corners; heavy top-to-bottom centering bias; noticeable surface staining/dirt on the white borders; edge chipping and a small possible crease on the top edge near the left corner.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this card in raw condition. It could also find a buyer at a local card show in a 'vintage bargain' bin.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the cost of grading ($19-$25+) exceeds the value of the card in this condition. Use 'Milwaukee Bucks Championship' and 'Kareem Abdul-Jabbar' in the title. Ship in a penny sleeve and top loader inside a cardboard-reinforced envelope.