The Indianapolis Colts have a long and storied history in the NFL. As one of the league's most popular franchises, Colts players are highly sought after in the collectibles market. Their football cards can be worth a fortune, especially vintage cards of Hall of Famers and star players.

Let's take a look at the 5 most valuable Indianapolis Colts football cards of all time. These rare and iconic cards sell for thousands, if not tens of thousands, among diehard Colts collectors and investors.

1. 1957 Topps Peyton Manning Rookie Card (#115)

Estimated Value: $50,000+

Arguably the greatest quarterback in Indianapolis Colts history, Peyton Manning's rookie card is hands-down his most coveted. The 1957 Topps design is considered one of the most beautiful vintage football card sets ever made.

Manning's rookie card is already highly scarce. Gem mint copies (PSA 10 grade) are virtually unheard of. This importance, combined with Manning's elite Hall of Fame career, equates to massive demand.

Top graded examples routinely sell for $40,000 - $50,000 at auction. That's an astronomical figure that should continue rising as Manning's legacy ages. He led the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI while securing numerous NFL records.

2. 1948 Leaf Sid Luckman (#33)

Estimated Value: $20,000+

The 1948 Leaf set marks one of the very first football card releases. It arrived just as the NFL was starting to blossom in popularity. Hall of Fame quarterback Sid Luckman appears in this historic set as a Chicago Bear.

So why is a Bears player on this list?

Well, Luckman was actually drafted in 1939 by the Indianapolis Colts, who were then based in Baltimore. He spurned them to play for the Bears, where he won four championships.

As you can imagine, Colts collectors still cherish Luckman's 1948 Leaf card. High-grade copies trade hands for $20,000 and beyond. It's the ultimate chase card for diehard vintage collectors.

3. 1955 Topps Ray Berry (#5)

Estimated Value: $15,000+

The 1955 Topps football set is an iconic classic that every serious collector should know. It offers an early glimpse at legends like Jim Brown, Night Train Lane, and Raymond Berry.

Berry played 13 seasons with the Colts franchise, winning NFL titles in 1958 and 1959. He was the go-to target for quarterback Johnny Unitas. The duo connected for dozens of big-time touchdowns.

Berry's football resume landed him in the Hall of Fame in 1973. His 1955 Topps rookie card remains sought after nearly 70 years later. Near-mint copies have topped $15,000 at auction. Despite the high price tag, it's a cornerstone for any Colts collection.

4. 1984 Topps John Elway Rookie Card (#63)

Estimated Value: $8,000+

Here's an interesting wildcard for this list. John Elway is obviously best known as a Denver Broncos legend after he forced a draft day trade there. But originally? Elway was selected #1 overall by the Colts in the famed 1983 NFL draft.

While the trade quickly sent Elway packing, his lingering ties to the Colts remain unavoidable. Collectors have certainly taken notice.

Elway's 1984 Topps rookie card, which pictures him in a Colts helmet, sells for a massive premium. PSA 10 gems easily clear the $8,000 mark. It's a unique card that combines Elway's all-time great status with the allure of an asterisk-filled backstory.

5. 1965 Topps Johnny Unitas (#1)

Estimated Value: $6,000+

"Johnny U" will forever be remember as one of the NFL's first star quarterbacks. He led the Baltimore Colts to victory in the 1958 "Greatest Game Ever Played" versus the New York Giants.

Unitas also captured three NFL championships and the 1970 Super Bowl V title later in his career. He was essentially to the success of Baltimore's football franchise through the 50's and 60's.

As you'd expect, Unitas' football cards carry strong demand. His 1965 Topps issue pictured here is arguably the most striking. Unitas is shown in a blue and white Colts uniform against a bright red background. It really pops off the cardboard.

Gem mint rookie specimens can trade hands for north of $6,000 at auction nowadays. And rightfully so for a legend like Johnny U!

Honorable Mentions

Beyond the top five, there are numerous other valuable vintage Indianapolis Colts cards that deserve mention:

• 1948 Leaf Y.A. Tittle RC (#21) - As a rookie, Tittle actually played for the Colts before later stardom with the Giants. His first-year card is a hobby gem.
• 1955 Topps Lenny Moore RC (#23) - Moore was an elite offensive weapon for the Baltimore Colts, posting over 12,000 yards from scrimmage.
• 1958 Topps Jim Parker RC (#127) - Parker was a fixture on the Colts offensive line through the 1960s. He's a Hall of Famer.
• 1965 Topps Jim Parker (#140) - Parker's 1965 Topps card carries notoriety due to short printed status.
• 1965 Topps John Mackey RC (#85) - Before a standout career with the Colts, Mackey also played briefly for the Baltimore Colts in 1963 and 1964.
• 1965 Topps Tom Matte (#45) - Matte won a championship with the Colts in 1968 after joining the team in 1961. He once played QB when Unitas and backup Gary Cuozzo were injured.
• 2006 Exquisite Andrew Luck RC Auto (#75) - While modern, Luck's premium rookie autograph card holds value as he led the Colts back to prominence.

Beyond these, you'll also find gems from players like Art Donovan, Gino Marchetti, Joe Perry, and more. The legacy of the Colts franchise is packed with Hall of Famers and integral role players that collectors covet in card form.

Investing in Indianapolis Colts Cards

The above list highlights some of the rarest and most valuable Colts cards out there. But commons from these sets also hold intrigue for collectors trying to piece together team sets or player collections on a budget.

When buying vintage Colts cards, focus on finding the best conditioned copies you can afford. Even low-grade options (Good or Very Good condition) can run $50+ for star Hall of Famers. This is especially true for popular players like Unitas, Berry, Moore, etc.

Rookie cards from a player's first year offer great potential. These draft the story of their NFL journey.

Hall of Famers are always in high demand. But fan favorites at key positions like QB also see strong interest.

If collecting modern players, focus on graded cards and quality rookie issues like Exquisite. These will have the best long-term outlooks.

At the end of the day, the rare cards featured here will likely remain out of reach from most. But building a broad Indianapolis Colts collection full of stars is definitely possible.