The Buffalo Bills are one of the most iconic franchises in NFL history. As one of the AFL's original eight teams, they have a long and storied past filled with legendary players. For football card collectors, Bills cards offer the chance to own a piece of history. But which Buffalo Bills football cards are the most valuable and sought-after by collectors? Here's a look at the top 5 most expensive Buffalo Bills cards of all time.

1. 1965 Topps Jim Brown Rookie Card (#62) - $15,000+

Widely considered one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game, Jim Brown is football royalty. Before starring for the Cleveland Browns, Brown began his pro football career with the Bills in 1957 after being selected 6th overall in the draft. Brown's stunning rookie card can sell for over $15,000 in top condition today.

Printed during Topps' 1965 football set, Brown's rookie features a large portrait photo against a green background. Centered well with sharp corners and no visible flaws, this beauty of a card earns top dollar at auction. Even well-worn copies can sell for thousands. Of all the valuable vintage Bills cards, Jim Brown's '65 rookie takes the top spot.

2. 1981 Topps Joe Ferguson (#216) - $10,000+

Best known as the Bills' starting quarterback during the O.J. Simpson era, Joe Ferguson spent the majority of his career in Buffalo from 1973-1984. His 1981 Topps card, while not his official rookie, is very tough to track down in high grade.

The main reason is the blue borders that surround Ferguson's photo. They chip and wear easily over time. Well-centered copies with crisp blue borders command strong prices at auction when they surface. Expect to pay $10,000 or more for specimens that grade PSA 9 or higher.

3. 1960 Topps Cookie Gilchrist Rookie Card (#122) - $7,500+

One of the AFL's early superstars, fullback Cookie Gilchrist joined the Bills in 1962 where he would make the first of four straight AFL Pro Bowl squads. His 1960 Topps rookie is a must-have for Bills collectors.

The card has Gilchrist's painted portrait filling up most of the card front. While some chipping is common, finding one nicely centered and without major flaws is a challenge. Pricing starts around $1,500 for lower-grade copies. But near-mint and better specimens can sell for $7,500 or more at auction.

4. 1986 Topps Bruce Smith Rookie Card (#278) - $3,000+

When it comes to dominant defensive players in Buffalo Bills history, Hall of Famer Bruce Smith sits at the top. The NFL's all-time sack leader spent 15 seasons with the Bills, racking up 171 of his 200 career sacks along the way.

Smith's rookie card has long been popular with collectors. However, when Smith earned election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, values shot upwards. Today, a PSA 10 copy of his '86 Topps rookie sells for $3,000 or more. High-grade raw copies still sell regularly for over $1,000.

5. 1990 Pro Set Jim Kelly (#272) - $2,500

Although not his official rookie card, Jim Kelly's 1990 Pro Set issue has emerged as his most valuable football card. The lack of an 'official' NFL-licensed Kelly rookie card helps. But it's also one of the few football cards to feature Kelly pictured in a Bills uniform.

Short prints and condition rarity place a premium on this tough-to-find Jim Kelly card. There are just 121 PSA 10s in existence with recent sales nearing $2,500. Even well-worn copies can sell for hundreds in today's market thanks to Kelly's elite Bills status.

Honorable Mentions

While the cards above are the most prized Bills cards out there, there are several others that can also command big money:

• 1958 Topps Cookie Gilchrist RC #62 - The fullback's true rookie often sells for $2,000+ in high grade.
• 1961 Topps Elbert Dubenion RC #17 - One of the team's original stars has a rare rookie that brings $1,500+ in top shape.
• 1981 Topps Joe Cribbs RC #216 - Cribbs was a dynamic triple-threat player whose rookie approaches $1,500.
• 1985 Topps Andre Reed RC #181 - Superstar receiver's rookie can exceed $500+ for graded mint copies.

Finding Valuable Buffalo Bills Cards

Owning a piece of Buffalo Bills history can be rewarding but also costly. Where can collectors find vintage Buffalo Bills cards for sale and what should you look out for? Here are a few tips:

• eBay - The auction site offers raw and graded cards from all eras. Sort by "Sold" listings to see current market values.
• Online Forums - Join sports card forums to buy, sell, and trade with fellow collectors. Great for finding elusive cards like a PSA 10 Ferguson.
• Sports Memorabilia Stores - Brick-and-mortar shops may have vintage boxes or cases to hunt for gems. Call ahead to ask.
• Card Shows - Take a trip back in time and browse seller inventories for rare cards. The thrill of the hunt can pay off.
• Authentication - Have expensive cards certified and graded by PSA or BGS to ensure authenticity and boost value.

Owning a rare Jim Brown or Bruce Smith card can come with a hefty price tag. But for die-hard Buffalo Bills collectors, the chance to own a valuable piece of franchise history makes it all worthwhile. Happy hunting!