Hey guys, Matt here with Graded Card Investor and today I’m going to list of the top-selling recently sold Larry Bird basketball cards. Now, this list will not include any modern Larry Bird cards printed after 1991. That list will be done separatley. This list includes his vintage cards of when he was actively playing.
Before we get into the cards, let’s look at what makes Laty Bird so special and why you should ocnsider investing in his basketball cards.
Larry Bird’s illustrious NBA career, spanning from 1979 to 1992, is marked by remarkable statistics and achievements that set him apart as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Basketball Reference: Larry Bird
- Scoring and Efficiency: Bird’s career scoring average of 24.3 points per game, combined with a field goal percentage of 49.6% and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.6%, highlights his exceptional scoring ability and efficiency. Notably, his peak scoring season in 1987-88 saw him average 29.9 points per game, showcasing his offensive prowess.
- Rebounding and Versatility: As a forward, Bird excelled in rebounding, averaging 10.0 rebounds per game over his career. His ability to play both small forward and power forward positions with equal effectiveness underlines his versatility on the court.
- Playmaking Skills: Bird was not just a scorer; he was also an excellent playmaker. Averaging 6.3 assists per game, he had a unique ability to find open teammates, making him a multifaceted threat.
Defense & Playoffs
- Defensive Contributions: Bird’s defensive statistics are also noteworthy. Averaging 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, he was more than capable on the defensive end, contributing significantly to his team’s overall performance.
- Clutch Performances in Playoffs: In the playoffs, Bird’s performance was even more impressive. He averaged 23.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, often elevating his play during crucial moments and leading the Boston Celtics to three NBA championships.
Overall Impact on the Game and Awards
- Awards and Honors: Bird’s career was laden with accolades. He was a 3-time NBA MVP, 12-time All-Star, and 2-time Finals MVP. His consistency and excellence earned him a spot on the 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.
- Impact on the Game: Beyond statistics, Bird’s impact was felt in his leadership, competitiveness, and basketball IQ. He was known for his mental toughness, clutch shooting, and ability to perform under pressure.
As you can see, when it comes to legends, Larry Bird is up there and he has to resume to prove it. Now, without any further ado, let’s jump into this list!
1989 Fleer Larry Bird Sticker #10
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $580
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Market Analysis: 1989 Fleer Larry Bird Sticker #10
- Supply: PSA has graded 1,654 of the 1989 Fleer Larry Bird stickers with 43 grading gem mint 10, 334 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
1989 Fleer Larry Bird #8
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: October 2023
- Sale Price: $278
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Market Analysis: 1989 Fleer Larry Bird Card #8
- Supply: PSA has graded 2,385 of the 1989 Fleer Larry Bird cards with 190 grading gem mint 10, 1,114 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
1988 Fleer Larry Bird All-Star #124
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2022
- Sale Price: $210
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Market Analysis: 1988 Fleer Larry Bird All-Star Card #124
- Supply: PSA has graded 2,438 of the 1988 Fleer All-Star Larry Bird cards with 198 grading gem mint 10, 945 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
1988 Fleer Larry Bird #9
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: November 2022
- Sale Price: $294
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Market Analysis: 1987 Fleer Larry Bird Card #9
- Supply: PSA has graded 3,729 of the 1987 Fleer Larry Bird cards with 334 grading gem mint 10, 1,653 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
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1987 Fleer Larry Bird Sticker #4
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2022
- Sale Price: $1,158
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Market Analysis: 1987 Fleer Larry Bird Sticker #4
- Supply: PSA has graded 2,494 of the 1987 Fleer Larry Bird stickers with 21 grading gem mint 10, 450 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
1987 Fleer Larry Bird #11
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2022
- Sale Price: $3,300
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Market Analysis: 1987 Fleer Larry Bird Basketball Card #11
- Supply: PSA has graded 3,086 of the 1987 Fleer Larry Bird cards with 32 grading gem mint 10, 362 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
1986 Fleer Larry Bird #9
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $4,978
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Market Analysis: 1986 Fleer Larry Bird Basketball Card #9
- Supply: PSA has graded 6,707 of the 1986 Fleer Larry Bird cards with 121 grading gem mint 10, 1,384 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
1986 Fleer Sticker Larry Bird #2
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $6,000
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Market Analysis: 1986 Fleer Sticker Larry Bird #2
- Supply: PSA has graded 5,370 of the 1986 Fleer Larry Bird stickers with 39 grading gem mint 10, 709 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
1981 Topps East Larry Bird #101
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: August 2023
- Sale Price: $9,000
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Market Analysis: 1981 Topps East Larry Bird Card #101
- Supply: PSA has graded 4,517 of the 1981 Topps East Larry Bird cards with 19 grading gem mint 10, 368 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
1981 Topps Larry Bird #4
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $21,397
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Market Analysis: 1981 Topps Larry Bird Basketball Card #4
- Supply: PSA has graded 9,790 of the 1981 Topps Larry Bird cards with 68 grading gem mint 10, 1,405 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
1980 Topps Scoring Leader Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie Card
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Sale Date: December 2023
- Sale Price: $488,000
➡️ Buy This Larry Bird Basketball Card On eBay
Market Analysis: 1980 Topps Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie Card
- Supply: PSA has graded 14,616 of the 1980 Topps Larry Bird rookie cards with 23 grading gem mint 10, 622 mint 9, and the remaining grading near-mint-to-mint 8.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
Conclusion
When venturing into the world of Larry Bird basketball card investments, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on the population reports and the card’s grading. Cards that have fewer in circulation at the mint 9 or gem mint 10 grades are rarer and more difficult to find in top condition, potentially driving up their value in the future, regardless of the card’s issue year.
For example, only 43 copies of the 1989 Fleer Stickers have been graded as PSA 10, with a recent sale hitting $580, surpassing the value of a similar grade in the base card. This price hike isn’t due to a higher preference for stickers over base cards—in fact, base cards usually fetch higher prices.
The key factor here is the scarcity of PSA 10s in the stickers category. So remember, always do thorough research, invest in cards that appeal to you, and only spend what you can afford to lose.
Comment below and let me know which Larry Bird basketball card you think should be on this list. Thanks for stopping by, check back for updates and happy collecting!
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
