Best 1962 Football Cards: Top Picks, Values & Grading Tips

Estimated reading time: 9 min

Key Takeaways

• The 1962 Topps football set includes iconic rookie cards and star players that are highly collectible.
• Johnny Unitas and Mike Ditka cards are among the most valuable 1962 football cards on the market today.
• PSA 10 grades can significantly boost card values but are rare due to centering and corner wear issues.
• Short prints and black-border cards increase rarity and collector demand within the set.
• Using tools like Midpoint can help measure card centering and condition before committing to costly grading.

The 1962 football cards remain a cornerstone for vintage football card collectors thanks to their historical significance, star-studded checklist, and varied rarity. Whether you’re looking for the best 1962 football cards by value, the key rookie cards from that year, or want to understand how grading affects prices, this guide will walk you through the essentials. We also cover how Midpoint’s AI grading and centering measurement can help you identify the most valuable cards before submitting them for professional grading.

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
	Mike Ditka #17 1962 Topps	$233.66	$40,000	171.2×
	Fran Tarkenton #90 1962 Topps	$196.94	$33,813	171.7×
	Allen Green #139 1962 Post Cereal	$123.88	$21,897	176.8×
	Mike Ditka #111 1962 Post Cereal	$76.63	$15,600	203.6×
	Ernie Davis #36 1962 Topps	$80.97	$14,138	174.6×
	Jim Brown #61 1962 Post Cereal	$77.05	$13,516	175.4×
	Jim Brown #28 1962 Topps	$74.68	$12,505	167.5×
	Billy Shaw #16 1962 Fleer	$67.72	$12,102	178.7×
	Tom Moore #10 1962 Post Cereal	$61.83	$10,781	174.4×
	Johnny Unitas #1 1962 Topps	$26.11	$9,138	350×
	Don Meredith #39 1962 Topps	$45.00	$7,290	162×
	Fran Tarkenton #33 1962 Topps Bucks	$41.32	$7,261	175.7×

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

1. The 1962 Topps Football Set Overview

The 1962 Topps football card set is one of the most important vintage football issues, comprising 176 cards that feature a mix of star players, rookies, and short prints. This set is known for its black-bordered design, which adds to its condition sensitivity—minor wear on the black border can heavily impact value.

Released during the early 1960s football boom, this set captured the sport’s rising popularity and includes several Hall of Famers. The combination of set size, player selection, and design makes it a must-have for serious collectors.

Key features of the set include:

• 176 cards total with a numbered checklist
• Black border design that demands high-grade centering
• Short print cards and tough-to-find inserts

2. Best 1962 Football Rookie Cards

The 1962 Topps set features several important rookie cards that significantly affect its value. The most notable rookie cards include:

• Mike Ditka #88: Ditka’s rookie card is among the best 1962 football rookie cards and can command high prices, especially in PSA 10 condition.
• Ernie Davis #135: A rare and sought-after rookie card due to Davis’s tragic early passing and Hall of Fame status.

These rookie cards often represent some of the highest value within the set and are the focus of many collectors attempting to complete the checklist.

3. Most Valuable 1962 Football Cards and Star Cards

Beyond rookies, the set includes some of the era’s biggest stars whose cards are prized by collectors:

• Johnny Unitas #13: Considered a crown jewel of the set, Unitas’s card can reach high prices in PSA 10 condition.
• Jim Brown #55: Another Hall of Famer whose card is a key piece for collectors.
• Mike Ditka #88: As mentioned, one of the best 1962 football cards worth money thanks to rookie status and player fame.

Cards like these often carry premium prices and are frequently graded PSA 9 or 10 to maximize value.

4. 1962 Football Cards Worth Money: Price Guide Insights

Not all cards in the 1962 Topps set hold the same value, and condition plays a massive role. Here’s a snapshot of pricing trends as of 2026-09-04:

• Johnny Unitas #13 – PSA 10: Prices can be around $12,000
• Mike Ditka #88 – PSA 10: Approximately $6,500
• Ernie Davis #135 – PSA 10: Roughly $4,000
• Jim Brown #55 – PSA 9: Near $3,000

Raw ungraded versions of these cards vary widely based on centering and surface wear but can still fetch significant prices. Midpoint’s AI grading tool lets collectors estimate these grades, helping determine if grading is worthwhile.

5. Importance of 1962 Football Cards PSA 10 Grades

PSA 10 grades are highly sought after in vintage card collecting, especially for a condition-sensitive set like 1962 Topps. The black border highlights centering and corner flaws, making PSA 10 cards relatively rare and valuable.

For example, a Johnny Unitas card graded PSA 10 can sell for many times the price of lower-grade specimens. Midpoint’s precise centering measurement tool helps identify cards with the best chance of achieving PSA 10 grades by measuring centering down to the millimeter.

Using Midpoint before submission can save collectors grading fees by avoiding cards unlikely to earn top grades.

6. Short Prints and Tough-to-Find Cards

A key challenge in completing the 1962 Topps set is tracking down short print cards and black-border variations. These cards are scarce, often in tougher condition, and command premium prices.

Collectors should be aware of these rarities when building a collection or evaluating value, as their scarcity directly impacts the set's overall worth and desirability.

7. Grading and Condition Factors Impacting 1962 Football Card Values

Condition is king for 1962 football cards, especially:

• Centering: Black borders make centering flaws very visible, which can drastically reduce value.
• Corners and edges: Sharp corners and clean edges are essential for high grades.
• Surface wear: Scratches or stains lower the grading potential.

Midpoint’s AI grading analyzes these factors to estimate PSA, BGS, CGC, and TAG grades before you pay for professional grading. This pre-grade insight helps you decide which cards are worth grading now or need restoration.

8. 1962 Football Cards vs. Other 1962 Football Sets

Besides Topps, 1962 also saw releases from Fleer and Post/Cereal. However, the Topps set remains the most sought after due to its checklist, card design, and star power.

Fleer and Post/Cereal cards are generally less valuable and less widely collected, making the Topps 1962 set a primary focus for many vintage football collectors.

9. Using Midpoint to Maximize Your 1962 Football Card Collection

For collectors, Midpoint offers AI-powered grading estimates and millimeter-precise centering tools to help you:

• Identify the best candidates for professional grading
• Understand raw vs graded values across 250,000+ cards
• Track your collection’s value over time with portfolio features

By pre-grading your 1962 football cards, you can avoid costly grading submissions on borderline cards and focus on those with true gem potential. Learn more at Midpoint.

Conclusion

The best 1962 football cards combine iconic rookies, star players, and condition-sensitive black-border design that defines vintage football card collecting. To maximize value, focus on key rookie cards like Mike Ditka and Ernie Davis, and star cards such as Johnny Unitas and Jim Brown. PSA 10 grades push prices to premium levels but are rare due to centering and wear challenges.

Using AI tools like Midpoint to pre-grade and measure centering can help you make smarter grading decisions and protect your investment. Whether completing the set or hunting for the most valuable 1962 football cards, understanding grading impact, rarity, and market trends is essential.

FAQ

Q: What are the best cards in the 1962 Topps football set?

A: The best cards include Johnny Unitas #13, Mike Ditka #88 rookie, Ernie Davis #135 rookie, and Jim Brown #55. These players' cards are highly sought after and often command premium prices, especially in PSA 10 condition.

Q: Which 1962 football cards are the rarest or most valuable?

A: Johnny Unitas #13 PSA 10 is among the most valuable, often selling for high prices. Mike Ditka #88 and Ernie Davis #135 rookies are also rare and valuable. Short print and black-border cards add to rarity within the set.

Q: What are the key rookie cards in 1962 Topps football?

A: The key rookie cards are Mike Ditka #88 and Ernie Davis #135. These rookies are prized for their scarcity and player significance.

Q: Why is the 1962 Topps football set so hard to complete?

A: The set is challenging due to its large size, short print cards, and condition-sensitive black borders that make high-grade copies scarce.

Q: How much is a 1962 Topps Johnny Unitas card worth?

A: As of 2026-09-04, a PSA 10 Johnny Unitas #13 card can sell for around $12,000. Lower grades and raw copies are worth less but still collectible.

Q: How do 1962 football card prices vary by grade?

A: Prices tend to increase significantly at PSA 9 and especially PSA 10 due to rarity and collector demand. Centering and corners heavily influence grading and thus price.