Best Larry Bird Basketball Cards To Buy Now

Larry Bird (12/7/1956) attended Indiana State University and was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 6th pick overall in the 1978 NBA Draft (who were the five people drafted in front of him!).

In 1979 (Larry Bird’s rookie year), he averaged a mind-blowing 21.3 points and 4.5 assists which is insane for a rookie in the NBA (unless your name is Zion… see the Best Zion Williamson Rookie Cards money can buy). He went on to play 13 years in the league averaging 24.3 points per season.

Shop Larry Bird Rookie Cards On eBay

Despite having Magic Johnson to contend with, he still won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1979.

Here are the top Larry Bird basketball cards for investment purposes (including one rookie card).

 

1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson Julius Erving Rookie Card (buy on eBay)

Here is the only Larry Bird rookie card worth owning, but it is good.

The card features Bird with the legendary Magic Johnson and Julius Erving. Initially, the card was not that popular with collectors, but it has soared over the last few years.

The card is complicated to find in PSA 8 or higher as copies are familiar with print defects.

 

2013 Larry Bird Exquisite Collection Emblem #EM-LB (buy on eBay)

This is our favorite Larry Bird card… period.

Autograph – check, patch – check, rare – check… the 2013 Larry Bird Exquisite Collection Emblem basketball card is numbered #EM-LB and shows Bird dribbling with the rock.

 

1981 Larry Bird Topps Basketball Boston Celtics #4 (buy on eBay)

The 1991 Topps Larry Bird card is from the year Bird led the Celtics to the NBA Championship.

Larry is showing off a Celtics warm-up jacket while waiting to drop dimes from the outside.

 

2013 Larry Bird Flawless Emerald Franchise Greats Autograph #FG-LB 

Another high-end Larry Bird auto card numbered #FG-LB and the back reads, “The Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in all of the sports thanks to players like Bird, who exemplified the spirit of the Celtic Pride. “Larry Legend” quickly ascended to Beantown royalty after collecting three straight MVP awards and helping Boston capture three NBA Championships.”

The card shows Bird making his classic no-look pass to a teammate for what we think is a slam dunk.

 

1986 Fleer Larry Bird Card #9 (buy on eBay)

1986 was a big, BIG year for Larry Bird as he won his third straight NBA MVP, and the Celtics won the NBA championship for the third straight year.

The 1986 Fleer set is also home to one of the best rookie card investments in the hobby in the form of the Michael Jordan Fleer rookie card… BOOM goes the dynamite!

 

Larry Bird Rookie Card Value

The most valuable Larry Bird RC is the 1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson Julius Erving Rookie Card (many investors consider this one of the top NBA cards of all time).

The value of his 1980 RC will depend on the grade.

If you would like an estimated value on any of your Larry Bird basketball cards, please email us at value@goldcardauctions.com… please allow up to 72 hours for a response and include at minimum two photos (back and front).

If you are looking to purchase a Bird Basketball card but want advice before making the purchase hit us up at advice@goldcardauctions.com.

 

Checklist

• 1980 Topps Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving Rookie Card

Sadly back in the day, basketball players usually only had one rookie card as basketball cards were not popular, and very few kids even bothered collecting them.

 

Autograph Checklist

• 2010 Magic Johnson & Larry Bird Ultimate Collection Dual Auto /25 #D-LB
• 2002 UD Ultimate Collection Signatures Larry Bird Auto #LBS
• 2012 Panini Crusade Larry Bird Majestic Auto Card #80
• 2016 Panini Noir Prime Color #17
• 2016 National Treasures Larry Bird Boston HOF Jersey AUTO /25
• 2019-20 Impeccable LARRY BIRD Elegance 2 Color Patch Auto

Investment Outlook

Larry Bird is considered one of the top NBA players of all time and has a considerable following.

• Investment Rating: Buy (4.6 out of 5)
• Ownership Disclosure: None
• Best Larry Bird Card: 1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson Julius Erving RC

The 1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson Julius Erving Rookie Card should only gain in value over time if you can find a PSA 10, PSA 9, or BGS 9.5. BUY IT… it should increase in value more than any of his cards year over year.