Johnny Unitas's 5 Most Valuable Football Cards

Johnny Unitas Cards Continue to Draw Strong Collector Interest

Johnny Unitas remains one of the most important quarterbacks in football history, and his cards continue to attract serious attention from collectors. A Super Bowl V champion and widely regarded as a prototype for the modern quarterback, Unitas built his legacy with a groundbreaking hurry-up offense and a long list of memorable performances for the Baltimore Colts.

That lasting appeal shows up clearly in the hobby market. From his 1957 Topps rookie card to later issues from Topps and Philadelphia, high-grade examples of Unitas cards have posted notable sales over the years. The cards below highlight five of the most valuable Johnny Unitas football cards based on recent and historical auction results cited in the source.

5. 1959 Topps Johnny Unitas #1

The No. 5 card on the list is the 1959 Topps Johnny Unitas #1. A PSA 9 example sold for $20,400 on December 4, 2024 through Heritage. The PSA 9 population is 13.

This card is part of the era that helped define early football card collecting, and it also reflects a naming detail that appears throughout the list. The source notes that this card uses “Johnny” rather than “John,” which makes it a useful marker when comparing different Unitas issues across the years.

4. 1962 Topps Johnny Unitas #1

At No. 4 is the 1962 Topps Johnny Unitas #1. A PSA 8.5 sold for $21,433 on August 31, 2025 through eBay. The PSA 8.5 population is 2.

The 1962 Topps football set remains a respected part of the hobby, and this Unitas card carries added historical appeal because of his connection to the University of Louisville. Unitas played his college football there and became a beloved figure at his alma mater, where “Unitas We Stand...” became a unifying slogan for the Louisville Cardinals football program.

The source also notes a statue honoring Unitas at Cardinal Stadium, underscoring how deeply his legacy runs beyond the professional game.

3. 1963 Topps John Unitas #1

The No. 3 card is the 1963 Topps John Unitas #1. A PSA 9 sold for $27,799 on May 6, 2017 through Memory Lane. The PSA 9 population is 4.

Related coverage includes The 5 Most Valuable Johnny Unitas Football Cards.

This card stands out for its composition. Unitas is shown straight on, with the image framed in a way that places the viewer in the action. The pose captures him as the center for the Baltimore Colts, looking back as if ready to snap the ball to one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

For collectors, the card combines a strong visual design with the appeal of a Hall of Fame-era star in a relatively scarce high-grade population.

2. 1966 Philadelphia John Unitas #24

Coming in at No. 2 is the 1966 Philadelphia John Unitas #24. A PSA 9 sold for $29,280 on September 18, 2026 through Heritage. The PSA 9 population is 4.

The Philadelphia issue presents Unitas in a classic quarterback stance, eyes downfield and focused on the play. The source highlights his iconic crew cut, a look that became closely associated with his image during his playing days.

As one of the later cards on the list, the 1966 Philadelphia issue shows how Unitas remained a major subject for football card sets well into the 1960s. Its combination of strong player appeal and limited high-grade supply helps explain why it has reached this level in the market.

1. 1957 Topps John Unitas #138

The most valuable Johnny Unitas football card on the list is the 1957 Topps John Unitas #138. A PSA 9 sold for $167,300 on November 16, 2016 through Heritage. The PSA 9 population is 9.

This is Unitas's rookie card from Topps, and it remains the centerpiece of his football card market. The card features a youthful portrait of Unitas on the left and an action image of him throwing the football on the right while wearing his No. 19 Colts jersey.

The source notes that there are 14 sales of the 1957 Topps football rookie card before reaching the second card on the list, which speaks to both its importance and its demand among collectors. As a rookie issue of one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, it stands as the defining Johnny Unitas card in the hobby.

Why Johnny Unitas Cards Still Matter to Collectors

Johnny Unitas cards carry a mix of football history, visual appeal, and scarcity in top condition. His reputation as a trailblazer at quarterback gives his cards a lasting place in the hobby, while the limited population numbers for high-grade examples add another layer of interest for collectors chasing premium copies.

The cards on this list also show how Unitas's image evolved across the 1950s and 1960s. Early Topps issues, later Topps cards, and the 1966 Philadelphia release each capture a different stage of his career, from rookie-era promise to established star status.

For collectors tracking vintage football cards, Unitas remains one of the clearest examples of how on-field greatness translates into long-term hobby demand. His rookie card leads the way, but the rest of his top cards continue to hold meaningful value in the market as well.