If you collect vintage football cards, it has been hard to ignore how much the values of top quarterbacks and stars from the 1950s and 1960s have risen in recent years. Joe Namath has been no exception. Now that cryptocurrency and the stock market have been hammered down, and with the economy slowing without free government money, it’s a legitimate question to ask whether or not these cards are still in continuous demand. We are about to find out with three different Joe Namath rookie cards up for action at Heritage Auctions.

Closing today at the ongoing May 12-14 Sports Catalog Auction are three Joe Nameth rookie cards. Rookie cards are some of the most desired by any collector and a high-end example is an open competition for serious collectors. High estimates have not produced the outpouring of interest in this auction.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates collectibles as an alternative asset class. The same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds is being used to buy high-end collectibles. True sports collectors and hobbyists have a passion to own certain cards or memorabilia for quite a long time. The investor class in collectibles is solely buying an asset to sell at a later date for a profit. This keeps collectors and investors in a constant battle for who can win in auctions.

Keep in mind that these cards are also subject to a 20% buyer’s premium that has to be factored into the auction prices after the bidding ends. Here are three graded examples of Joe Nameth Rookie cards well below estimates with only hours remaining:

1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie #122 PSA EX+ 5.5 with an estimate of $4,000.00+ and a current bid of $2,300.00 (9 bids so far).

1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie #122 PSA EX-MT 6 with an estimate of $7,000.00+ and a current bid of $3,900.00 (6 bids so far).

1965 Topps Joe Namath Rookie #122 PSA NM-MT 8 with an estimate of $50,000.00+ and a current bid of $24,000.00 after 16 bids with no reserve to meet. Image below by Heritage Auctions.

Heritage Auctions had this to say about the high graded card:

“It’s a fitting tribute to Broadway Joe–a bit flamboyant, larger than life. This first pigskin issue to feature the “tall boy” format remains a fan favorite over a half century after its debut, both for the eye-popping design and the iconic cast of characters it commemorates. But certainly no card from that 176-card set is more fiercely coveted than this important rookie celebrating the professional debut of the man who gave Mickey Mantle a run for his money for the title of ultimate playboy athlete. It is arguably the most recognizable football card that exists, bar none. Graded PSA NM-MT 8. Just like Namath’s victory in Super Bowl III, the spectacular condition of the offered specimen comes as a tremendous surprise, as the oversized dimensions of this issue have always complicated healthy survival. This high-achieving underdog has been bested only eight times in over 1,800 attempts, earning a spot near the peak of the pop with bright colors, perfect registration, sharp corners and fine centering.”