1977 Topps Mike Hartenstine Rookie Card #199
Mike Hartenstine · Topps · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Mike Hartenstine
Set
1977 Topps Football
Year
1977
Card #
#199
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) to PSA 6 (EX-MT). The centering on the reverse is slightly shifted to the left and bottom. Top right corner shows minor rounding; edges show light silvering/wear characteristic of 1970s card stock.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low to Moderate. Mainly sought after by Chicago Bears team set builders, Penn State alumni collectors, or 1977 Topps set completionists.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 6: $10-15, PSA 7: $20-30, PSA 8: $50-70
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales for common 1977 Topps football cards range from $0.50 to $2.00. High-grade PSA 8 copies have historically sold in the $40-$60 range, while PSA 9s can exceed $150 due to registry competition.
Description
This is the 1977 Topps rookie card for Chicago Bears defensive end Mike Hartenstine. The reverse features a classic 1970s green/gray card stock with a pink and black color scheme. It includes his 1975-1976 scoring record, a 'College Corner' section highlighting his career at Penn State, and a short biography mentioning his 12-yard touchdown run in 1976.
Key Features
Rookie card of a long-time Chicago Bears defensive staple and Super Bowl XX champion. Features the iconic 1977 Topps design and Penn State collegiate pedigree.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence in authenticity. The cardboard stock is the correct brownish-gray pulp used by Topps in the late 70s. The 'T' in the copyright logo and the specific pink ink hue are consistent with original production. Not a commonly faked card.
Flaws to Note
Corners show slight softening, particularly the top right. Centering is approximately 40/60 left-to-right on the reverse. There is minor edge chipping visible on the right side.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a Buy It Now or small auction), COMC for long-term consignment, or Sportlots for set builders. Local Chicago-area card shows would also be a viable venue.
Selling Tips
Due to low raw value, grading is not recommended unless you believe the front is perfectly centered and the card would merit a PSA 9 or higher. Best listed with keywords: '1977 Topps', 'Mike Hartenstine', 'Chicago Bears Rookie', and 'Penn State'. Ship in a penny sleeve and top loader inside a standard envelope (eBay Standard Envelope) to keep costs low.