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NFL1986RC
80#
ROOKIE CARD

JERRY RICE

1986 TOPPS

TOPPS·#161

Stylized illustration — actual card image varies by edition

View sold images on eBay
🏈 footballRookie Card

1986 Topps Jerry Rice #161

The greatest receiver of all time's rookie card. Rice's records — 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards, 197 TDs — are so far ahead of the field they may never be challenged.

Player

Jerry Rice

Year

1986

Set

1986 Topps

Card #

161

Sport

Football

Type

Rookie Card

Market Value (Based on Sold Data)

Based on public auction records

Source: eBay sold comps, Heritage Auctions, Goldin, PWCC — April 2026

Recent Sales (Mid Grade)PSA 7–8 · Based on eBay sold listings
$50–$400 (PSA 8)Verify on eBay ↗
Recent Sales (Gem Mint)PSA 9–10 · Based on eBay sold listings
$5,000+ (PSA 10)Verify on eBay ↗

Values compiled from public eBay sold listings, Heritage Auctions, and Goldin results. For real-time pricing, click “Verify on eBay” above.

Grade-by-Grade Pricing

Values based on recent eBay sold listings and auction results

Verify on eBay ↗
PSA GradeLabelMarket ValuePop.Trend
PSA 5
Excellent$15–$40—→
PSA 6
EX-MT$40–$80—→
PSA 7
Near Mint$80–$2005,200→
PSA 8
NM-MT$200–$6004,800↑
PSA 9
Mint$600–$2,0002,200↑
PSA 10Best Value
Gem Mint$5,000–$12,000180↑

Source: eBay Sold Comps · Jerry Rice Topps RC — junk wax era production but gem rate is reasonable. Greatest receiver ever.

PSA Population Report

Total Graded

38,000

PSA 10 Count

180

PSA 9 Count

2,200

Gem Rate

0.5%

Grade Distribution

PSA 10
180 (0%)
PSA 9
2,200 (6%)
PSA 8
4,800 (13%)
PSA 1–7
30,820 (81%)

Gem Rate (% achieving PSA 10): 0.5% — Extremely difficult to gem.

Notable Sales

PriceGradeDateVenueNotes
$12,000RecordPSA 10Jul 2021Goldin AuctionsPop 180; junk wax era production but the GOAT receiver commands strong demand
$2,400PSA 10Mar 2025eBayCorrected from peak; still strong for a high-pop junk wax RC

Figures sourced from publicly reported auction results. Private sales may exceed.

Card Variations

1986 Topps had no parallel program. Rice's rookie is a single base card — condition is the only variable.

Standard Base

common

The only version. No parallels were produced.

Market price

Autographed (collector)

uncommon

Rice-signed examples are relatively common from signings.

$500–$2,000 additional

JSA or PSA authentication required for premium pricing

✓

Collector Tip

The 1986 Topps print quality is generally solid but watch for gray border smudging and centering. PSA 10 copies have proven consistent performers over 15+ years — the low population (180) relative to production keeps the premium intact.

PSA vs BGS vs SGC

PSA

Professional Sports Authenticators

  • +Most liquid — highest resale demand
  • +Largest population database
  • +Vintage specialists
  • +Most recognized globally
  • −Slowest turnaround at economy tier
  • −No subgrades on base service

Best for: Vintage, high-value singles, resale liquidity

BGS

Beckett Grading Services

  • +Subgrades reveal exact condition
  • +BGS 9.5 Black Label = highest premium
  • +Preferred for modern parallels
  • +Slab design seen as premium
  • −Less liquid than PSA for vintage
  • −Stricter centering = harder to get 10

Best for: Modern parallels, autographs, centering-first cards

SGC

Sportscard Guaranty Corporation

  • +Faster turnaround than PSA/BGS
  • +Lower cost at economy tier
  • +Growing collector base
  • +Good for tobacco/pre-war
  • −Lower premium than PSA on most cards
  • −Smaller population database

Best for: Pre-war, tobacco cards, budget-conscious grading

Full grading guide with cost comparison →

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