1978 Topps Willie Stargell #170
Willie Stargell · Topps · Base / Hall of Famer
Player
Willie Stargell
Set
1978 Topps
Year
1978
Card #
170
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX) - Centering is significantly shifted to the right (approx 70/30). Corners show visible softening/rounding, particularly the bottom left. Edges appear relatively clean but the top border shows some rough cutting typical of the era.
Category
Base / Hall of Famer
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. Willie Stargell has a dedicated following among Pirates fans and Hall of Fame set builders, but this is a high-pop base card from a heavily produced era.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$5.00 - $12.00
Graded Value
PSA 5: $15-20, PSA 6: $30-40, PSA 4: $8-12. Note: Grading costs for this specific card in this condition likely exceed the potential value increase.
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies in similar EX condition range from $4.50 to $9.00 plus shipping. PSA 8 copies often sell for around $60-80, but this specific card would likely not achieve that grade due to centering.
Description
This 1978 Topps Willie Stargell (#170) features the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates 'Pops' in his iconic batting stance. The card design includes a vibrant green ribbon indicating his position (1st Base) and a facsimile signature across the bottom of the action photo. The reverse features his career statistics and a short biographical blurb on classic gray cardstock.
Key Features
Hall of Fame player; Iconic 1978 script design; Featuring one of the most beloved figures in Pittsburgh Pirates history; Late-career card produced just one year before his 1979 MVP season and World Series title.
Authenticity Indicators
Confidence: High. The card shows correct gray chipboard stock, expected halftone dot patterns in the photo, and authentic ink absorption for the facsimile signature. Not a high-target card for modern counterfeiting.
Flaws to Note
Serious rightward centering bias on the front; Rounded corners especially at the bottom; Minor surface wear; Typical 1970s print snow/reflections in the photo area.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for a single raw card like this. It could also be sold as part of a lot of 1970s HOFers or via a local card shop's $5-10 value bin.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card, as the grading fee will likely be higher than the final sale price given the centering and corner wear. List it with high-resolution photos of the front and back. Use keywords: '1978 Topps', 'Willie Stargell', 'Pirates', 'HOF', 'Pops'.