What are the most iconic non-rookie card/rookie year football cards?

Dallas Cowboys · 04-23-2021, 10:02 AM

I've been trying to think about really iconic football cards that most collectors can picture in their minds without looking up online. Iconic cards that are NOT rookie cards or rookie year cards. Also I am talking more about iconic individual cards. I realize 1997 Upper Deck Legends and Precious Metal Gems Red/Green are iconic sets but I don't necessarily think about individual cards from those sets.
Here's three I thought of. I would love to hear what you guys consider iconic non rookie football cards.

1. 1955 Topps All American Jim Thorpe
2. 1990 Pro Set Lombardi Trophy Hologram
3. 1992 Stadium Club High Series Brett Favre

mfw13 · 04-23-2021, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dallas Cowboys

I've been trying to think about really iconic football cards that most collectors can picture in their minds without looking up online. Iconic cards that are NOT rookie cards or rookie year cards. Also I am talking more about iconic individual cards. I realize 1997 Upper Deck Legends and Precious Metal Gems Red/Green are iconic sets but I don't necessarily think about individual cards from those sets.
Here's three I thought of. I would love to hear what you guys consider iconic non rookie football cards.

1. 1955 Topps All American Jim Thorpe
2. 1990 Pro Set Lombardi Trophy Hologram
3. 1992 Stadium Club High Series Brett Favre

I think you inadvertently made a pretty good case for why the football card market is slowly dying....compared to other sports there simply aren't very many iconic players or cards....

TheFrenzy · 04-23-2021, 10:29 AM

I feel like OBJ's 2015 Topps Chrome should be up there given the famous photo.

asujbl · 04-23-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

I feel like OBJ's 2015 Topps Chrome should be up there given the famous photo.

How many people can even tell you that 2015 Topps Chrome has that photo? I bet not many

glen87 · 04-23-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

I feel like OBJ's 2015 Topps Chrome should be up there given the famous photo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

How many people can even tell you that 2015 Topps Chrome has that photo? I bet not many

what photo???

asujbl · 04-23-2021, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glen87

what photo???

I assume the one handed catch? Honestly I'm just guessing

If that's the case it's an iconic photo... but isn't even close to an iconic card

BGT Masters · 04-23-2021, 10:36 AM

The 1989 Score Bo Jackson, Santa Claus cards, Upper Deck Heroes Joe Montana Auto, 1996 Upper Deck Jersey Set, Passing the Torch Sanders/Payton Dual Auto, Manning Unitas Passing the Torch.

TheFrenzy · 04-23-2021, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGT Masters

The 1989 Score Bo Jackson, Santa Claus cards, Upper Deck Heroes Joe Montana Auto, 1996 Upper Deck Jersey Set, Passing the Torch Sanders/Payton Dual Auto, Manning Unitas Passing the Torch.

Somebody remembers the old Beckett Hot Lists!

asujbl · 04-23-2021, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGT Masters

The 1989 Score Bo Jackson, Santa Claus cards, Upper Deck Heroes Joe Montana Auto, 1996 Upper Deck Jersey Set, Passing the Torch Sanders/Payton Dual Auto, Manning Unitas Passing the Torch.

Did you just look at this link after googling "iconic cards"?

Because I definitely did

https://www.beckett.com/news/top-100...s-of-all-time/

TheFrenzy · 04-23-2021, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

How many people can even tell you that 2015 Topps Chrome has that photo? I bet not many

Quote:

Originally Posted by glen87

what photo???

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

I assume the one handed catch? Honestly I'm just guessing

If that's the case it's an iconic photo... but isn't even close to an iconic card

Obviously as a Cowboys fan I hated the play, but I have to respect the talent and the moment.

pazerbaijan · 04-23-2021, 04:33 PM

This is the first and only card I pictured.

asujbl · 04-23-2021, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

Obviously as a Cowboys fan I hated the play, but I have to respect the talent and the moment.

Which has literally nothing to do with this thread

But you knew that

TheFrenzy · 04-23-2021, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

Which has literally nothing to do with this thread

But you knew that

I know that most of us don't actually use "iconic" in accordance with its actual definition.

And that's ok. Language is flexible.

TheFrenzy · 04-23-2021, 05:23 PM

The 1996 Upper Deck jersey cards should be more iconic.

49erRCCollector · 04-23-2021, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

I feel like OBJ's 2015 Topps Chrome should be up there given the famous photo.

This came to mind for sure, I knew exactly which card. I like the Topps Chrome Kaepernick "flexing" from the 2012 playoff game against the Packers. I forget what year off the top of my head.

The in-game photos make for more iconic cards, for sure.

asujbl · 04-23-2021, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

I know that most of us don't actually use "iconic" in accordance with its actual definition.

And that's ok. Language is flexible.

No. No it’s not.

Not if you have the ability to read the OP.

TheFrenzy · 04-23-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

No. No it’s not.

Not if you have the ability to read the OP.

I hope everyone had fun at the soccer tournament. Looks like we've got one more week until triple-digits arrive.

Siberian13 · 04-23-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

The 1996 Upper Deck jersey cards should be more iconic.

Honestly that’s a pretty bad looking card.

cardtrader3615 · 04-28-2021, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

I think you inadvertently made a pretty good case for why the football card market is slowly dying....compared to other sports there simply aren't very many iconic players or cards....

Football card market isn’t dying at all. Especially wrt the blue chippers.

BestRCs · 04-28-2021, 06:36 PM

Outside the ones mentioned.

I think the following for sure....

1990 Pro Set Lombardi Trophy Hologram.
1997 UD Legends Auto Walter Payton.
2002 Topps SB MVP Ball-Auto /150 Tom Brady.

I think but not sure if others feel the same...

2002 SP Legendary Cuts Lombardi and also the Nagurski.

TimBuckTwo · 04-28-2021, 06:57 PM

1992 Stadium Club Emmitt Smith

tjforce · 04-28-2021, 09:00 PM

I don't know if 'iconic' is the word, but Tom Brady's 2012 Prizm keeps getting a lot of love.

A BGS 9.5 Silver recently sold for $15k.

Archangel1775 · 04-28-2021, 09:57 PM

Young bucks around here....

(Not Mine)

Archangel1775 · 04-28-2021, 10:27 PM

I agree that the Holo should be on the list (Not mine)

irtazman · 04-28-2021, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGT Masters

The 1989 Score Bo Jackson, Santa Claus cards, Upper Deck Heroes Joe Montana Auto, 1996 Upper Deck Jersey Set, Passing the Torch Sanders/Payton Dual Auto, Manning Unitas Passing the Torch.

Different bo popped into my head. The 90 score baseball one with the bat across his shoulder pads

04-23-2021, 10:02 AM	#1
Dallas Cowboys Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Amarillo, Texas Posts: 970 joyboy23 legolas27	What are the most iconic non-rookie card/rookie year football cards? I've been trying to think about really iconic football cards that most collectors can picture in their minds without looking up online. Iconic cards that are NOT rookie cards or rookie year cards. Also I am talking more about iconic individual cards. I realize 1997 Upper Deck Legends and Precious Metal Gems Red/Green are iconic sets but I don't necessarily think about individual cards from those sets. Here's three I thought of. I would love to hear what you guys consider iconic non rookie football cards. 1. 1955 Topps All American Jim Thorpe 2. 1990 Pro Set Lombardi Trophy Hologram 3. 1992 Stadium Club High Series Brett Favre

04-23-2021, 10:29 AM	#3
TheFrenzy Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Texan in AZ Posts: 44,534	I feel like OBJ's 2015 Topps Chrome should be up there given the famous photo. __________________ The 2024 Blowout Awards nomination thread is live @ https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1582637

04-23-2021, 05:23 PM	#14
TheFrenzy Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Texan in AZ Posts: 44,534	The 1996 Upper Deck jersey cards should be more iconic. __________________ The 2024 Blowout Awards nomination thread is live @ https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1582637

04-28-2021, 06:36 PM	#20
BestRCs Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,459 BestRCs	Outside the ones mentioned. I think the following for sure.... 1990 Pro Set Lombardi Trophy Hologram. 1997 UD Legends Auto Walter Payton. 2002 Topps SB MVP Ball-Auto /150 Tom Brady. I think but not sure if others feel the same... 2002 SP Legendary Cuts Lombardi and also the Nagurski. __________________ LF Rare/Cool Ichiro's (2001-2012): Especially - 2001-04 UD era autos - 2001 RC's #/100 or less. - 2002-12 Refractor's #/25 or less. - 2001-12 Cool Patch cards <50

04-28-2021, 09:00 PM	#22
tjforce Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 20,643	I don't know if 'iconic' is the word, but Tom Brady's 2012 Prizm keeps getting a lot of love. A BGS 9.5 Silver recently sold for $15k. __________________ "Whether you like it or not, learn to love it, because it’s the best thing going. Wooooo!"

04-23-2021, 10:36 AM	#7
BGT Masters Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellsville, New York Posts: 9,867	The 1989 Score Bo Jackson, Santa Claus cards, Upper Deck Heroes Joe Montana Auto, 1996 Upper Deck Jersey Set, Passing the Torch Sanders/Payton Dual Auto, Manning Unitas Passing the Torch.

04-23-2021, 04:33 PM	#11
pazerbaijan Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 1,590 pazerbaijan	This is the first and only card I pictured.

04-28-2021, 06:57 PM	#21
TimBuckTwo Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 9,521	1992 Stadium Club Emmitt Smith

04-28-2021, 09:57 PM	#23
Archangel1775 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cali baby! Posts: 20,221	Young bucks around here.... (Not Mine) __________________ *There are the intangibles that set someone apart from the pack.So the blur isn't your inability to see his greatness, it's merely the inability to measure it.* Last edited by Archangel1775; 04-28-2021 at 10:00 PM.

04-28-2021, 10:27 PM	#24
Archangel1775 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cali baby! Posts: 20,221	I agree that the Holo should be on the list (Not mine) __________________ *There are the intangibles that set someone apart from the pack.So the blur isn't your inability to see his greatness, it's merely the inability to measure it.*