Top 5 Most Valuable Atlanta Falcons Football Cards of All Time
The Atlanta Falcons entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1966. Over 50+ years, the Falcons have had some incredible players suit up in their red and black uniforms. Naturally, many of those players also have highly desirable football cards for collectors.
Let's count down the top 5 most expensive Atlanta Falcons football cards of all time. We'll look at key factors like player accomplishments, card rarity, condition, and historical significance that drive values.
#5 - Matt Ryan 2008 Topps Chrome Refractor Rookie Card (PSA 10)
- Current Value: $1,500
Matt Ryan was selected 3rd overall by the Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft. He won the starting job right away his rookie season.
The 1st year Topps Chrome Refractor of Ryan is his most popular rookie card. It's serial numbered to just 599 copies. A PSA 10 gem mint Ryan can sell for around $1,500.
Ryan has spent his entire career with the Falcons, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2016. The veteran QB is the Falcons' all-time leader in both passing yards and touchdowns.
A great long-term investment, the value of Ryan's key rookie should continue increasing as he piles on more career accomplishments before eventually reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
#4 - Deion Sanders 1989 Score Rookie Card (PSA 10)
- Current Value: $1,800
"Neon Deion" was one of the most electric players in the NFL during his 5 seasons with the Falcons from 1989 to 1993. The cornerback and return man made flashiness his trademark with high-stepping choreography and golden shoes.
The iconic 1989 Score football card features Sanders in his #21 Falcons jersey. It's his key rookie card from the popular debut Score football set.
A PSA 10 copy last sold for $1,800, but Deion's rookie has traded above $3,000 in the past. Sanders is a 2-sport star who's in both the Pro Football and Baseball Hall of Fame.
Long-term, Deion's Score rookie should remain one of the top Falcons cards as he's easily the most famous player to have suited up for the franchise.
#3 - Steve Bartkowski 1975 Topps Rookie Card (PSA 10)
- Current Value: $2,000
Steve Bartkowski was drafted #1 overall by Atlanta in 1975 following an All-American career at Cal. He became the team's first star quarterback, leading them to their first playoff appearances.
Bartkowski's key rookie is found in 1975 Topps. It's his only mainstream rookie card. High-grade copies in a PSA 10 holder have exceeded $2,000 in sales.
During an 11-year Falcons career, Bartkowski made the Pro Bowl twice and led the NFL in passing yards in 1980. Although not in the Hall of Fame, he was named to the Falcons' Ring of Honor in 1999.
This vintage Bartkowski rookie should remain near the top of the list as one of the most iconic early cards of a Falcons legend.
#2 - Michael Vick 2001 Playoff Contenders Rookie Autograph Patch
- Current Value: $2,500
Michael Vick took the league by storm in the early 2000s with his dazzling athletic ability and rocket arm strength. Selected by Atlanta #1 overall in 2001, his rookie year hobby excitement translated into great demand for his cards.
There are several Vick rookies worth big money in today's market. But his top card is the 2001 Playoff Contenders autograph patch rookie. Limited to just 100 copies, it includes a patch and on-card signature.
Recent sales of BGS 9 examples (one grade below mint) have exceeded $2,500. PSA 10s could approach $5,000-$10,000. There are thought to be fewer than 10 Vick Contenders rookies in true gem mint shape given their limited print runs and propensity for imperfections like scratches and wear.
Although Vick's career was sidetracked by off-field issues, he remains one of the top modern stars in team history and a hobby sensation.
#1 - Bart Starr 1966 Topps (PSA 10)
- Current Value: $20,000+
Easily the Holy Grail of Falcons cards is the 1966 Topps of Hall of Fame Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr.
Why would a card picturing Starr in a Packers jersey be the top Falcons card?
Here's the story…
When the Falcons franchise began in 1966, Topps produced a 209-card 1966 set featuring players from all the NFL teams of the year before. However, since the Falcons were an expansion team, they had no players the previous season.
So Topps just reused photos of random players for the Falcons team cards, including the Bart Starr #170. It's literally Starr in a Packers jersey but labeled as a Falcons card.
Only a few PSA 10 examples are known to exist. They have sold for north of $20,000 when available as this ultimate Falcons rarity. Lower grades still command four and even five-figure prices.
It's an obvious #1 as the definitive Falcons holy grail card that every serious collector of the team must have.
There you have it - a look at the top 5 most valuable Atlanta Falcons football cards ever! From Bartkowski to Vick to Starr, iconic rarities from the Falcons' history books command big money in today's market. Let the countdown serve as a guide to key cards all fans should know from their favorite players over the franchise's first 50+ years.