Steve Young

Market outlook

Stable Outlook 8/10

Raw prices declining recently (e.g., -28.9% in 30 days to $7.58), but graded high-end holds value due to HOF status and low gem mint supply.

Next months. Stable to slightly declining for raw; high grades firm.

Long term. Rising for gem mint and high grades due to collector interest in 1980s HOF rookies.

History

Steve Young is a Hall of Fame quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He played 15 NFL seasons with a 196.0 career passer rating, rushed for 4,239 yards and 43 touchdowns, and was the first pro QB to pass for 300+ yards and rush for 100+ in a single game with the USFL's Los Angeles Express. His 1986 Topps rookie depicts him with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1986 Topps Football set, released in 1986 as his official NFL rookie card.

• Hall of Fame quarterback with exceptional dual-threat ability.
• 1986 Topps set notorious for centering issues, print quality problems, corner chipping, and edge wear.
• Copyright line variants C or D exist due to Topps printing the same cards on both sheets in 1980s football sets.

Rarity and print run

Tier

Rare

Print run

High

First printed in

1986 Topps Football

Demand

High

Supply

High

• Rookie card of Hall of Famer
• Gem mint grades extremely scarce (e.g., only 3 graded 10s)
• Set plagued by production defects reducing high-grade population

Collector notes

Condition. Check for centering issues, poor print quality, corner chipping, and edge wear, which are common flaws in the 1986 Topps Football set.

Storage. Store in protective top loaders or slabs, away from light and humidity to prevent further chipping or centering degradation.

Authenticity. Look for copyright line C or D on back; verify against known images for print defects. Professional grading by graded/graded/graded recommended for high-value copies; fakes rare but check for off-color printing or incorrect fonts.