Best 1960 Football Cards: Top Picks, Values & Rookie Highlights

Estimated reading time: 12 min

Key Takeaways

• 1960 Topps football is a flagship set featuring iconic stars like Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas.
• Key rookie cards include Forrest Gregg and other Hall of Famers, which are popular among collectors.
• PSA 10 grades for 1960 football cards can significantly increase card value, though raw condition varies widely.
• The 1960 Fleer football set offers alternative options but generally has lower market values than Topps.
• Using tools like Midpoint can help measure centering and estimate grading before submitting cards for professional grading.

The 1960s were an important era for football cards, with the 1960 Topps football set often recognized as a key collection from that decade. For collectors and investors interested in vintage football cards, understanding which 1960 football cards are notable is helpful. This guide explores some of the most valuable 1960 football cards, highlights key rookie cards, and explains grading considerations including PSA 10 premiums. Whether you own raw cards or are considering grading, this overview provides useful information about 1960 football cards worth attention.

Card values — live data from Midpoint's card database, as of 2026-09-04. Prices move; Midpoint refreshes these daily.

	Card	Raw	PSA 10	Gem premium
	Jim Brown #23 1960 Topps	$75.00	$14,075	187.7×
	Ron Mix #118 1960 Fleer	$27.12	$9,000	331.9×
	Bart Starr #51 1960 Topps	$26.95	$6,239	231.5×
	Jack Kemp #124 1960 Fleer	$26.95	$5,086	188.7×
	Paul Hornung #54 1960 Topps	$19.12	$3,618	189.2×
	Billy Cannon #66 1960 Fleer	$17.47	$3,572	204.5×
	Joe Kapp #25 1960 Topps CFL	$18.26	$3,464	189.7×
	Sammy Baugh #20 1960 Fleer	$15.07	$2,842	188.6×
	Frank Gifford #74 1960 Topps	$13.00	$2,793	214.9×
	John David Crow #105 1960 Topps	$1.78	$2,550	1432.6×
	Forest Gregg #56 1960 Topps	$12.99	$2,467	189.9×
	George Blanda #58 1960 Fleer	$12.25	$2,306	188.2×

Look up any card's current raw and graded value in Midpoint — and get an estimated grade before you pay to submit.

1. 1960 Topps Football: A Flagship Set of the Decade

The 1960 Topps football set is widely regarded as a significant set in 1960s football card collecting. Featuring 176 cards, it includes many NFL stars and Hall of Famers, with bold, colorful designs that remain popular.

This set includes players such as Jim Brown (#28), Johnny Unitas (#31), Bart Starr (#36), and Lenny Moore (#20). Their cards continue to be sought after by collectors.

• Card count: 176
• Notable stars: Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas, Bart Starr, Lenny Moore
• Condition sensitivity: Centering and surface wear are common grading considerations

Collectors often focus on this set due to its historical significance and the quality of the player lineup. The vibrant card fronts and photography make these cards popular candidates for grading and collecting.

2. Jim Brown (#28): A Highly Valued 1960 Football Card

Jim Brown’s 1960 Topps card is considered a key card for many vintage football collectors. As one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, Brown’s early cards are highly regarded.

As of 2026-09-04, a PSA 10 Jim Brown #28 has been known to command prices in the range of $100,000 or more, reflecting the premium for gem mint condition examples.

• Raw condition values vary widely due to centering and surface wear
• PSA 10 population is relatively low, making high-grade cards rarer and more valuable
• Collectors seek cards with strong centering and minimal edge wear

Because of the significant price difference between raw and PSA 10 cards, tools like Midpoint can be helpful for pre-grading and centering assessment before submitting to grading companies.

3. Johnny Unitas (#31): Notable Quarterback Card

Johnny Unitas’ 1960 Topps card (#31) is another important card, representing one of football’s legendary quarterbacks. Its collectible appeal is driven by Unitas’ Hall of Fame career and iconic status.

While generally not as expensive as Jim Brown’s card, a PSA 10 Unitas card can still command strong premiums, often in the tens of thousands of dollars depending on condition and grading company.

• Centering and surface quality are key factors affecting value
• Rarity in high grade adds to desirability
• Collectors often seek to combine it with other stars from the 1960 set

4. 1960 Football Rookie Cards Worth Collecting

The 1960 Topps set includes several rookie cards beyond the biggest stars. Forrest Gregg (#65) is recognized as a highly collectible rookie with Hall of Fame credentials.

Other notable rookies include Ray Nitschke (#74) and Mike Ditka (#141), all Hall of Famers whose rookie cards are popular among collectors.

• Forrest Gregg rookie card values tend to increase with PSA 9 or 10 grades
• Rookie cards often show condition challenges due to age and handling
• Grading these rookies can help unlock better market value

5. PSA 10: The Premium Grade for 1960 Football Cards

Achieving a PSA 10 grade for 1960 football cards is challenging due to centering, edge, corner, and surface condition issues common in vintage cards. Only a small percentage of cards reach this gem mint level.

For example, a PSA 10 Johnny Unitas #31 or Jim Brown #28 generally commands a significant price premium compared to lower grades or raw cards.

• PSA 10 cards can be many times more valuable than raw cards in average condition
• Centering within millimeters is critical to reaching PSA 10
• Using AI tools like Midpoint can help estimate likely grades before submission

Pre-grading with digital tools can help avoid costly grading fees on cards unlikely to achieve top grades.

6. 1960 Fleer Football Set: An Alternative Vintage Collection

The 1960 Fleer football set, although smaller and less popular than Topps, offers collectors an alternative vintage set with 88 cards. It features some of the same stars but generally has lower market values.

Key cards from Fleer include Johnny Unitas and Jim Brown, but PSA 10 examples are rarer and typically less costly than Topps counterparts.

• Set size: 88 cards
• Lower overall market value compared to 1960 Topps
• Attractive option for budget-conscious collectors

7. Understanding Card Condition and Grading for 1960s Football Cards

Condition is a major factor influencing the value of 1960 football cards. Common issues include off-centering, worn corners, edge chipping, and surface scratches.

Grading companies like PSA, BGS, and CGC weigh these factors heavily, with centering often accounting for a large portion of the grade. Midpoint’s AI-driven centering and surface analysis can provide useful pre-grade estimates, helping collectors decide which cards to grade.

• Millimeter-precise centering measurement reduces guesswork
• Surface and edge detection identifies potential flaws
• Pre-grade estimates help avoid costly grading submissions on lower-value cards

8. Most Valuable 1960 Football Cards by Player and Set

Top value cards from 1960 include Jim Brown #28, Johnny Unitas #31, Forrest Gregg rookie #65, Bart Starr #36, and Lenny Moore #20 from Topps. Fleer cards are generally less valuable but still collectible.

PSA 10 cards tend to show the greatest price appreciation; for example, the Jim Brown #28 in PSA 10 has been known to reach six-figure prices, while a raw card in poor condition might be worth significantly less.

• Jim Brown #28 PSA 10: $100,000+ (approximate)
• Johnny Unitas #31 PSA 10: $20,000+ (approximate)
• Forrest Gregg rookie PSA 10: $7,000+ (approximate)
• Bart Starr #36 PSA 10: $5,000+ (approximate)

Conclusion

For collectors and investors interested in 1960 football cards, the 1960 Topps set remains a premier choice, featuring iconic stars and valuable rookie cards. Achieving a PSA 10 grade for these cards can significantly enhance their value, but condition challenges make grading a careful decision.

Utilizing advanced tools like Midpoint allows collectors to measure centering and get digital grading estimates before investing in grading submissions. Whether building a vintage football portfolio or seeking high-value singles, understanding the nuances of 1960 football cards and their grading can help maximize a collection’s potential.

FAQ

Q: What are the best 1960 football cards to collect?

A: The best 1960 football cards generally come from the 1960 Topps set, featuring stars like Jim Brown #28, Johnny Unitas #31, Bart Starr #36, and key rookies such as Forrest Gregg #65. These cards have historical significance and strong collector interest.

Q: Which 1960 football cards are the most valuable?

A: Jim Brown #28 PSA 10 is among the most valuable, often exceeding $100,000 in top condition. Johnny Unitas #31 and Forrest Gregg rookie cards also command high prices in gem mint condition.

Q: What rookie cards are in the 1960 Topps football set?

A: Notable rookie cards include Forrest Gregg #65, Ray Nitschke #74, and Mike Ditka #141, all Hall of Famers whose rookie cards are popular among collectors.

Q: How much is a 1960 Topps football card worth?

A: Values vary widely by player, condition, and grade. For example, Jim Brown #28 in PSA 10 can exceed $100,000, while raw, lower-grade cards may be worth significantly less.

Q: Is the 1960 Topps football set a good vintage football investment?

A: The set remains popular among collectors due to its iconic players and scarcity of high-grade cards. Grading and condition are important factors in maximizing value.

Q: What are the key cards in the 1960 Fleer football set?

A: The 1960 Fleer set includes stars like Johnny Unitas and Jim Brown, but values are generally lower than Topps. It is a more affordable vintage option with 88 cards total.