BUY CARDS
The New Orleans Saints joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1967. While the team struggled in its early years, they eventually became one of the most successful franchises in the league, winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. This long history has led to many valuable football cards featuring Saints players over the decades. Here’s a look at the top 5 most expensive New Orleans Saints cards of all time.
Estimated Value: $15,000+
Kicking off our list at #1 is Tom Dempsey’s highly coveted 1967 Topps rookie card. Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot and no fingers on his right hand. Despite this, he managed to play 11 seasons in the NFL as a kicker. Dempsey is best known for booting a record-setting 63-yard field goal in 1970 while playing for the Saints. This kick stood as the NFL record for 43 years until Matt Prater broke it with a 64-yarder in 2013.
Dempsey’s rookie card from 1967 is his only mainstream football card and one of the most iconic rookie cards from the 1960s. Given his unique story and legendary 63-yard kick, it’s no surprise that Dempsey’s rookie is the most valuable Saints card out there. High-grade copies (PSA 8 or BGS 8.5) routinely sell for $15,000 and up.
Estimated Value: $3,000+
The #2 spot belongs to running back George Rogers and his 1981 Topps rookie card. The Saints selected Rogers with the 1st overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft after he won the Heisman Trophy at South Carolina. He went on to be named the 1981 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
While Rogers spent just four seasons in New Orleans, he was the team’s first legitimate star player. His rookie card has always been popular with Saints collectors as a result. It’s also one of the top rookie cards from 1981 Topps. Pristine copies of Rogers’ RC can sell for $3,000 or more these days.
Estimated Value: $450-$650
Next up is a card featuring the Saints’ most recent Heisman winner, Reggie Bush. New Orleans made Bush the 2nd overall pick in 2006 after his electric career at USC. His Playoff Contenders rookie card from that year has proven to be his most valuable.
The card features Bush in his Saints uniform with an action photo from his college days at USC. It’s numbered to 999 copies, adding to the value. There’s also a scarce gold parallel numbered to 25. This popular RC can sell for upwards of $650 for high-grade copies of the base version. The rare gold parallel has traded for over $3,000.
Estimated Value: $350-$500
Before his sons Peyton and Eli starred in the NFL, Archie Manning was the original star quarterback for the Saints franchise. Manning’s rookie card comes from 1969 Topps during the early expansion years for the team. It pictures Manning dropping back for a pass at Tulane Stadium.
High demand from Saints collectors and Manning fans keeps values for this vintage card strong. Near-mint copies can easily surpass $500 at auction. Archie Manning’s importance to the early Saints teams make this a must-have rookie for diehard New Orleans fans.
Estimated Value: $125-$200
Capping off our list is a rookie card of Saints’ Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson. Jackson was a six-time Pro Bowler during his 13 seasons with New Orleans. He was also named to four All-Pro teams as one of the most feared defenders of his era.
Jackson’s rookie issue comes from 1986 Topps. It’s not the flashiest card but still sees nice demand as Jackson’s top pasteboard. PSA 10 gems can push $200+ while lower-grade copies remain affordable. It’s the premier rookie for one of the greatest defensive players in Saints history.
Honorable Mentions:
Here are a few other notable early cards of Hall of Fame Saints that narrowly missed our top five:
That does it for our look at the most valuable New Orleans Saints football cards of all-time. While the team has struggled through many lean years, stellar players like Archie Manning, Rickey Jackson, Reggie Bush, and George Rogers have kept collector interest high. Early cards of these Saints legends remain in demand with the team’s loyal fan base. Rookie cards of emerging stars like Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore also have potential to join this list down the road.
