When it comes to quantity, the Joe Montana rookie card collection is simple. You have just one card to track down. However, as one of the game’s all-time greats and a genuine icon, it’s also one of the most popular football cards ever.
The accolades speak for themselves: four Super Bowls, three Super Bowl MVPs, a pair of NFL MVP awards, a National Championship playing for Notre Dame. Montana’s stats put him among the best to ever play quarterback. But Montana’s legacy is just as much about when he did his magic. If you’re going to talk clutch, he’s the definition of it, turning in some of his greatest performances (and there were many) when it mattered most.
Still not convinced of his greatness? The 49ers legend even starred in his own Sega Genesis game.
From a football card perspective, timing is also a factor in Montana’s lasting hobby popularity. While he was great throughout his career, the quarterback cemented his place in history in the late 1980s when sports cards were exploding. He became the face of football cards, something that was confirmed when he signed as Upper Deck’s first spokesman for the sport.
Joe Montana Rookie Card Breakdown
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card #216
Not only is the Joe Montana Rookie Card tops in 1981 Topps Football, it’s one of the most iconic sports cards of all-time. Make a Mount Rushmore of football cards and this one’s certainly worthy of consideration alongside the 1965 Topps Joe Namath and 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady.
The 49ers quarterback is one of 64 rookie cards on the 1981 Topps Football checklist. Others include Art Monk, Dan Hampton and Kellen Winslow.
It arrived in an era where there was only one major football card release per year. That makes this the only Joe Montana rookie card. It’s not overly rare but prices can still be all over the place based on condition. Off-condition copies with obvious wear can sometimes be found for less than $100. On the flip side, professionally graded gem mint copies can go for well over $50,000. Not many exist, thanks in part to centering issues.
Some collectors may notice the lack of logos on Montana’s helmet. That’s because Topps was only licensed by the NFLPA at the time and not the league.
Shop for Professionally Graded Cards: 8 NM-MT | 9 Mint | 10 Gem Mint
1981 MSA Holsum Discs Joe Montana
Is the 1981 MSA Holsum Discs Joe Montana a football card? Not in the traditional sense but it can certainly be collected like one — especially with that mustache on display. It’s tough to call it a Joe Montana RC, but it is certainly rookie adjacent.
The blank-backed discs are slightly wider than traditional football cards. They were distributed regionally in the midwest with loaves of Holsum and Gardner’s bread. As a result, there are far fewer copies floating around than his Topps rookie card.
Despite the rarity, the 1981 MSA Holsum Discs Joe Montana sells for a fraction of his actual rookie card. So for those priced out or looking for something to go along with the Rushmore-worthy card, this is certainly a strong contender.
Shop for Professionally Graded Cards: 8 NM-MT | 9 Mint | 10 Gem Mint
