Y.A. Tittle Football Cards: Collecting a Legacy of Resilience and Skill
Few players in football history have commanded as much respect and admiration as Y.A. Tittle. Across his career, he showcased remarkable prowess, evident in monumental seasons like his 1963 stint where he threw for a staggering 3,145 yards and 36 touchdowns. Yet, despite his on-field heroics and participation in five playoff games, the elusive NFL championship remained out of his grasp.
A Football Titan without a Ring
This very narrative—that of an exceptional quarterback who never clinched the title—imbues Tittle’s memorabilia with a distinctive allure. His football cards, in particular, are emblematic of a football titan whose legacy isn’t just about statistics but also about resilience, perseverance, and the undying spirit of the game.
For collectors, a Y.A. Tittle card doesn’t just depict a player; it encapsulates an era and tells the story of a legend who, despite the odds, left an indelible mark on the sport. As such, these cards have become treasures in the sports memorabilia world, sought after by those who recognize the value of a player’s journey over the destination.
???? Top 50 NFL Football Rookie Cards of All Time
Without any further ado, let’s jump into the top 10 Y.A. Tittle football cards!
#10
1959 Topps Y.A. Tittle #130
PSA 9 Value: $311
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1959 Topps Y.A . Tittle football card
PSA has evaluated 876 of Tittle’s 1959 Topps cards. Out of these, five have achieved gem mint status, 53 are rated as mint, and 234 fall within the near mint-to-mint range.
A PSA 9 example fetched $311 in a September 2021 auction, while PSA 8 versions are available for less than $100. If you’re considering ungraded cards, they can be found for prices starting at just $5.
#9
1958 Topps Y.A. Tittle #86
PSA 9 Value: $910
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1958 Topps Y.A . Tittle football card
PSA has graded 563 of Tittle’s 1958 Topps cards, with none achieving a gem mint grade. There are eight cards in mint 9 condition and 95 rated as near mint to mint 8.
One PSA 9 example fetched $910 in a January 2018 auction. Ungraded cards range from $5 to $40 based on their condition. If you’re looking to add one to your collection, a PSA 5 can be considered, available at an approximate price of $30.
#8
1957 Topps Y.A. Tittle #30
PSA 9 Value: $3,900
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1957 Topps Y.A . Tittle football card
PSA graded 797 of the 1957 Topps Y.A. Tittle cards with none grading gem mint 10. Only 7 are in mint condition and 143 are near mint to mint. This is Topps’ second-year football card set and it is loaded with legends and Hall of Famers including rookie cards of Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr.
A PSA 8 Tittle sold in October 2022 for $288, however, Goldin Auctions sold one of the seven mint condition examples in 2018 for $3,900. So, the difference in value between a PSA 8 and PSA 9 is fairly significant due to the supply difference.
#7
1956 Topps Y.A. Tittle #30
PSA 9 Value: $1,170
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1956 Topps Y.A . Tittle Football Card
PSA graded 515 of the 1956 Topps Y.A. Tittle cards with two grading gem mint, 17 mint, and 77 near mint to mint conditions. Heritage Auctions sold a PSA 9 example in April 2018 for $1,170. PSA 8s sell between $150-$200 and PSA 7s sell between $50-$100. These are great entry points to the very first Topps football card set ever printed.
1956 Topps Football Card Set
The 1956 Topps football card set marked Topps’ inaugural collection following their acquisition of rival Bowman. Key players in this set include George Blanda (#11), Chuck Bednarik (#28), Art Donovan (#36), Frank Gifford (#53), Y.A. Tittle (#86), and Bobby Layne (#116), with notable rookie cards of Roosevelt Brown (#41), Lenny Moore (#60), Stan Jones (#71), and Roosevelt Grier (#101).
#6
1955 Bowman Y.A. Tittle #72
PSA 8 Value: $384
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1955 Bowman Y.A . Tittle football card
PSA has reviewed 418 of Tittle’s 1955 Bowman card #72. Out of these, none achieved a gem mint grade, three are mint, and 43 were near mint to mint condition. In August 2021, a PSA 8 example fetched $384 at auction.
Interestingly, no mint 9 examples have been sold publicly. For those on a budget, PSA 4 versions of this card are available for roughly $25, equivalent to standard grading fees, making them an affordable option for collectors.
#5
1954 Bowman Y.A. Tittle #42
PSA 8 Value: $193
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1954 Bowman Y.A . Tittle Population Report
PSA has graded 434 of the 1954 Bowman Y.A. Tittle cards. From the cards submitted, none reached gem mint status, nine are mint, and 75 fell within the near mint to mint range. This underscores the inherent grading challenges for this set. The use of low-quality cardboard combined with white borders by Bowman made these cards particularly vulnerable to wear and tear over time.
1954 Bowman Y.A . Tittle Football Card Value
In June 2023, a PSA 8 example of this card sold for a modest $193 at auction. Despite the set’s lack of standout rookie cards and visual appeal, its value might be understated given its vintage nature and scarcity.
Collectors should be on the lookout for high-grade cards of notable players from this era like Norman Van Brocklin, Joe Perry, Otto Graham, Bobby Layne, Frank Gifford, and, naturally, Y.A. Tittle.
#4
1953 Bowman Y.A. Tittle #42
PSA 8 Value: $334
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1953 Bowman Y.A . Tittle Football Card Value
PSA’s population reports list 227 of Tittle’s 1953 Bowman cards. Out of these, none have achieved a gem mint grade, three are categorized as mint, and 21 fall into the near mint to mint category.
In June 2020, a PSA 8 example of this card fetched $334 at auction. While PSA 7s hover around the $150 mark, you can secure a PSA 4 for less than $40. These valuations seem surprisingly modest given the limited availability of the card in a PSA case.
#3
1952 Bowman (Large) Y.A. Tittle #17
PSA 8 Value: $1,171
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1952 Bowman Football Card Set
The 1952 Bowman football card set was released in two sizes, “Small” and “Large”, as a result of market experimentation during the early 1950s when manufacturers were determining optimal card sizes.
This decision also likely stemmed from Bowman’s desire to stay competitive with emerging rival Topps and gauge consumer preference between the traditional smaller cards and the newer, larger ones that mirrored today’s standard card dimensions.
Despite both sets featuring the same players and designs, the “Large” set, offering more detailed imagery and additional players, has become more sought after among collectors.
1952 Bowman (Large) Y.A . Tittle Football Card Population & Value
PSA graded 306 of the large Y.A. Tittle football cards with none grading gem mint, one grading mint, and twenty grading near mint to mint. Showing just how challenging these larger cards are to grade.
It is because of the rough condition most examples are in that high grades sell for so much. For example, in May 2023, Memory Lane sold a PSA 8 example for $1,171, however, a PSA 9 example sold for $48,432 in 2021. PSA 7s sell between $350-$500 while PSA 6s sell between $125-$250.
#2
1951 Bowman Y.A. Tittle #32
PSA 8 Value: $238
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1951 Bowman Y.A . Tittle Football Card Value & Rarity
PSA has assessed 445 of Tittle’s 1951 Bowman cards. Notably, none have achieved gem mint status, nine have been graded as mint, while 70 fall into the near mint to mint bracket. In November 2021, a PSA 8 specimen fetched a surprisingly low $238 on eBay. Quite surprising, given that this is Tittle’s second-year card.
PSA 7 versions, selling between $100-$175, are a steal given their scarcity. For those with a $250 budget, a PSA 8 is recommended. The card’s white borders are susceptible to wear and its centering challenges make it a tough grade, with well-centered examples being especially sought after.
#1
1950 Bowman Y.A. Tittle Rookie Card #5
PSA 8 Value: $6,813
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1950 Bowman Y.A. Tittle Rookie Card: A Breakdown of Its Rarity
PSA has evaluated 684 of Y.A. Tittle’s 1950 Bowman rookie card. This figure is notably small in comparison to many contemporary card population reports. Out of this number, none have achieved the gem mint status, while four are recognized as mint 9 and 62 are categorized as near mint to mint. The most frequently awarded grade for this card is PSA 6, with a count of 129.
Assessing the Value of the 1950 Bowman Y.A. Tittle Rookie Card
In October 2020, Memory Lane, Inc. auctioned one of the mint 9 cards for an impressive sum of $29,012. Fast forward to May 2023, a PSA 8 example was bought for $6,837. For collectors on a tighter budget, a PSA 3 card, currently priced between $200 and $300, might be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
Y.A. Tittle collectors and football card enthusiasts have many choices when it comes to Y.A. Tittle football cards. Whether you’re in the market for a high-grade or low-grade Y.A. Tittle football card, persistence, and patience will enable you to secure one at a reasonable price.
Key Investment Pieces
Ideally, you might want to opt for his rookie card. However, there are other exciting investment options to consider. For instance, you could look at the first Topps card from the 1956 set or the iconic 1957 Topps card, which includes legendary quarterbacks Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas.
Less Desirable Yet Valuable Cards
Even the less desirable cards, such as the 1954 and 1955 Bowman cards, present great options. These particular cards may appeal to collectors due to their unique lack of appeal and affordability.
Future Prospects
The future of vintage football cards may seem uncertain, but the low prices combined with Y.A. Tittle’s legendary career make for an intriguing investment. His story of striving for victory, only to fall short, cements his status as an icon and one of the greatest players to never win a ring.
Final Recommendation
With such fascinating history and attainable prices, now could be the ideal time to pick up some Y.A. Tittle cards. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of football history at a great price!
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.
I have a couple YA Tittle cards from 91 Fleer Goudey set but not worth much!