Lew Alcindor (Kareem) 1969 Topps Rookie vs Larry Bird / Magic Johnson / Julius Erving 1980-81 Topps: which is the better sports card investment?

Comparing Lew Alcindor (Kareem) 1969 Topps Rookie (1968-69 Topps Basketball, 1969) and Larry Bird / Magic Johnson / Julius Erving 1980-81 Topps (1980-81 Topps Basketball, 1980) as sports card investments. PSA price bands, risk, and upside compared.

Lew Alcindor (Kareem) 1969 Topps RookieLarry Bird / Magic Johnson / Julius Erving 1980-81 Topps
SportNBANBA
Set1968-69 Topps Basketball (1969)1980-81 Topps Basketball (1980)
RarityStandard rookieTri-card rookie (perforated)
PSA 10 band$300,000-$800,000$200,000-$600,000
PSA 9 band$40,000-$100,000$30,000-$80,000
Raw / ungraded band$3,000-$10,000$2,000-$8,000
Risk levelLowLow
Investment score5/55/5

Lew Alcindor (Kareem) 1969 Topps Rookie

All-time NBA scoring leader (until LeBron). 6 NBA championships. PSA 10 supply is extremely low; centering issues are notorious.

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Larry Bird / Magic Johnson / Julius Erving 1980-81 Topps

The iconic pre-Jordan vintage basketball rookie. Three HOF players on one perforated card. PSA 10 grading is brutal due to centering; pop is extremely low.

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Detailed comparison coming soon.