The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. With 17 championships to their name, the Celtics have had some of the greatest players in league history suit up for them over the years. Naturally, this has led to some incredibly valuable Boston Celtics basketball cards for collectors.

Below we'll take a look at the top 5 most valuable Boston Celtics cards of all time. These rare and coveted cards feature Celtics legends and franchise icons that every serious collector would love to own.

1. 1957 Topps Bill Russell RC (#77)

Widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, Bill Russell's rookie card is fittingly one of the most sought-after basketball cards of all-time. His 1957 Topps rookie card is notorious for being difficult to find in top condition.

A mint copy of the '57 Russell is likely worth a quarter million dollars or more. Even cards in more modest condition can fetch five figures. There's no question this iconic rookie card of the Celtics legend tops the list of the franchise's most valuable cardboard.

2. 1986 Fleer Larry Bird/Julius Erving Dual Autographed

Larry Bird needs no introduction. He's right there with Bill Russell among the greatest Celtics ever. While Bird has some pricy mainstream rookie cards from the 1980s, his most valuable card is actually a more modern release.

In 1986 Fleer, Bird was pictured with Julius "Dr. J" Erving on one of the cards. A limited number of these were produced with dual autographs from Bird and Erving. Only about 100 are thought to exist, and gem mint versions have sold for $75,000+ at auction. This mega rare signed card is near the top for Celtics rarities.

3. 1980 Topps Larry Bird RC (#2)

As for mainstream rookie cards of Larry Legend, his 1980 Topps issue leads the pack in terms of value and collector significance. It's one of the most important basketball rookies from the 1980s overall.

Centering and print quality can be problematic on 1980-81 Topps basketball, making PSA 10 gems very tough to come by. Even cards graded NM/MT 8 can be worth over $1,000. This iconic Bird rookie is a must-own for Celtics collectors.

4. 1957 Topps Tom Heinsohn RC (#47)

Another cornerstone from those early Celtics championship teams, Tom Heinsohn also has a valuable vintage rookie card. Part of the '57 Topps basketball set along with Bill Russell, Heinsohn's rookie is one key to completing the series.

Raw copies in nice shape can sell for a few hundred dollars. PSA 8s surpass $2,000 in value, and a mint PSA 10 example traded for $7,753 in 2020. The Heinsohn rookie is far more attainable than the Russell, but still a significant Celtics card.

5. 2007 Exquisite Paul Pierce Autographed Patch (#100)

Paul Pierce was the face of the Celtics heading into their 2007-08 title run. His ultra-rare Exquisite card from that season features a memorabilia patch and on-card autograph. Limited to just 100 copies, it's one of Pierce's most sought-after cards.

Given the tiny print run, it's not surprising that this card carries a four-figure price tag. Even before Pierce's number was retired by Boston, it was trading for over $2,000. With Pierce's place firmly cemented in Celtics lore, expectations are this should continue to hold strong value.

Other Notable Valuable Boston Celtics Cards

Beyond the top five cards detailed above, there are plenty of other extremely collectible Boston Celtics cards:

• 1965 Topps John Havlicek RC - Another all-time great Celtic, Hondo's rookie issue can push $1,000 or more in top grade.
• 1986 Fleer Larry Bird - The regular Bird card from '86 Fleer also commands strong money with perfect 10 examples approaching $1,500 in value.
• 2008 Exquisite Kevin Garnett Autographed Patch - Hard-signed memorabilia cards of KG from the Celtics' first title season also sell for over $1,000.
• 1984 Star Larry Bird - Before joining the NBA, Bird was part of the 1984 Star Collegiate set. His rare #9 card from that release can top $1,500 in BGS/PSA 10 condition.
• 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Ray Allen Emerald - Super short printed parallels from 90s collectors are always in high demand. The green emerald parallel Ray Allen PMG numbered to just 10 copies can sell for north of $5,000.

Investment Potential of Celtics Cards

The values mentioned above are just a snapshot of the current market. Many of these Boston Celtics cards have continued to steadily increase in value over time. Early cards of all-time greats like Russell and Bird should have no problem maintaining strong values.

Rookie cards of current young stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown also have lots of potential if the Celtics' core can bring more banners to Boston. Rare parallels and autographs of players like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett may see bumps as they enter the Hall of Fame in the coming years as well.

While nothing is guaranteed, Boston Celtics basketball cards remain a relatively safe long-term investment compared to many modern collecting niches. The fans are passionate and the history is unrivaled. As long as the team stays relevant, expect interest and values to remain high.