Top 5 Most Valuable Washington Football Team(s) Football Cards of All Time

The Washington Football Team, previously known as the Washington Redskins, has a long and storied history in the National Football League (NFL). As one of the league's oldest franchises, the team has had numerous legendary players suit up in the Burgundy and Gold over the decades. For football card collectors, Washington team cards can be highly sought-after, especially for Hall of Famers and other icons of the franchise. Let's take a look at the 5 most valuable Washington Football Team football cards of all time.

1. 1937 Bronko Nagurski - SGC 2 ($55,098)

The #1 spot belongs to Hall of Fame fullback Bronko Nagurski's 1937 National Chicle football card graded SGC 2 by Sportscard Guaranty Corporation. This card dates all the way back to Nagurski's first season with the then-called Boston Redskins in 1937. The card pictures Nagurski following through on a stiff arm, showcasing his legendary power as a runner. Only three SGC 2-graded copies of this Nagurski card have ever been auctioned, with the last one selling for an astounding $55,098 in 2018 - making it the most expensive Washington team card sale on record. For vintage football card collectors, this Nagurski is about as iconic as it gets for the franchise.

2. 1948 Bobby Mitchell Rookie - PSA 5 ($44,630)

Coming in at #2 is a legendary card of Hall of Fame receiver Bobby Mitchell. His 1948 Leaf rookie card in a PSA 5 holder sold for $44,630 in 2019, setting the record for Mitchell's rookie issue. Mitchell, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 84, was one of the most dynamic playmakers of his era. This rare 1948 Leaf card pictures him during his brief tenure with the Cleveland Browns before he joined Washington in 1962. He became a 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time first-team All-Pro with the team, helping break the color barrier in Washington. For vintage collectors, Mitchell's rookie is a prime "underdog" card that doesn't come around often in higher grades.

3. 1950 Harry Gilmer Rookie - SGC 5 ($36,077)

Harry Gilmer's 1950 Bowman rookie card graded SGC 5 comes in at the #3 spot. This sharp card from Bowman's inaugural NFL set pictures Gilmer dropping back for a pass. Gilmer was drafted #1 overall by Washington in the 1948 NFL Draft and played seven seasons with the team at quarterback, halfback, punter and returner. His Bowman rookie is tough to find in condition this nice, with only one other SGC 5 copy known to have been graded. That card fetched an impressive $36,077 sale in 2018, locking down the #3 position for most valuable Washington cards.

4. 1965 Sonny Jurgensen - PSA 8 ($35,200)

Checking in at #4 is Sonny Jurgensen's 1965 Topps football card in mint PSA 8 condition. "Sonny" was Washington's quarterback of the future when this card was printed, having been acquired in a blockbuster trade with Philadelphia in 1964. Jurgensen would go on to a Hall of Fame career wearing #9 for Washington from 1964-1974. His '65 Topps second-year card pictures him dropping back in his trademark deep passing stance, looking to air it out. The sharp corners and vibrant centering of the PSA 8 example drove the trading card to a $35,200 sale in 2018 - the record for Jurgensen's individual cards.

5. 1982 Joe Theismann - PSA 10 ($30,000)

And finally, the #5 most valuable Washington Football Team card is none other than quarterback Joe Theismann's 1982 Topps card graded PSA 10 - the only perfect "gem mint" copy registered by PSA. Theismann led Washington to victory in Super Bowl XVII and claimed League MVP honors in 1983. His '82 Topps card is a popular issue that pictures him flashing a confident smile in his early years as the team's starter. A PSA 10 Theismann went for $30,000 at auction in 2020, establishing the upper limit for his individual cards. While not quite as vintage as the other entries on this list, Theismann's perfect PSA 10 card demonstrates the premium value of flawless modern graded cards as well.

There you have it - the current top 5 most expensive Washington Football Team cards of all time, according to the PWCC trading card sales archives. From pre-WWII legends like Nagurski to Theismann and Jurgensen's perfect PSA 10 gems, Washington legends are clearly in demand with football card collectors. Vintage HOF rookie cards, high-grade specimens of icons like Sonny and Joe, and ultra-rare finds like the SGC 2 Bronko all command premium auction prices among diehard Washington collectors and NFL card enthusiasts. As more iconic cards emerge from estate finds or attics around the nation, this list is sure to see new additions over time. But for now, these 5 legendary player cards represent the upper echelon of value for the Washington Football Team trading card market.