Finding a Moses Malone rookie card in a dusty attic box is basically the basketball equivalent of finding a winning lottery ticket that’s been sitting under a coffee mug for forty years. Most people think of Moses as the guy who led the 1983 Sixers to a title or the man who basically invented the "Fo', Fo', Fo'" playoff prediction.
But collectors?
They know him as the prep-to-pro pioneer whose first card isn't even in an NBA uniform.
Honestly, the story of his rookie card is as gritty and unique as the way he played the game. Moses didn't wait for college. He jumped straight from Petersburg High School to the ABA's Utah Stars in 1974. Because of that jump, his true rookie card sits in the 1975-76 Topps set, which covers both the NBA and the dwindling ABA.
It is card #254.
You’ve got to love the visual of this card. It shows a young, lean Moses in a red, white, and blue Utah Stars jersey, grabbing a rebound with that trademark intensity. It’s a vertical shot, which was standard, but the 1975 Topps design—with those colorful diagonal bars in the corner—makes it pop in a way that later 80s cards just don't.
The Mystery of the 1975-76 Topps Moses Malone Rookie Card
Most people get confused about the year. Is it '74? Is it '75?
Technically, he started playing in '74, but Topps didn't get him into a set until the following year. That makes the 1975-76 Topps #254 his definitive, undisputed rookie card. There are no "pre-rookie" cards or weird regional food issues that carry more weight than this one.
If you're holding a card that says "Moses Malone" but he's on the Buffalo Braves or Portland Trail Blazers, you've got a second-year card. Or a third. Those are cool, but they aren't the card.
Condition is the real killer here.
Back in '75, Topps quality control was, let’s say, optimistic at best. These cards were often printed off-center. You’ll see plenty where the image is hugging the left or right border like it’s afraid of the edge. Then there’s the card stock. It’s that old-school brown cardboard that absorbs humidity and dings if you even look at it wrong.
Finding a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) is nearly impossible. In fact, a PSA 10 copy sold for a staggering $90,000 back in 2022. Compare that to a PSA 8, which you might snag for around $200 to $300 depending on the day and the platform. That’s a massive gap.
Why Moses is Undervalued Compared to Kareem or Dr. J
It’s kinda weird when you think about it. Moses Malone won three MVPs. He’s a champion. He’s one of the greatest rebounders to ever breathe. Yet, his rookie card often trades for a fraction of what a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Julius Erving rookie fetches.
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Why?
Part of it is the ABA factor. People naturally gravitate toward the NBA logo. Even though the Utah Stars were a legit professional team, some collectors treat ABA cards like "minor league" items, which is total nonsense. Moses was a titan from day one.
Another reason is his "nomadic" career. He played for seven different NBA teams and two ABA teams. It’s harder for a single fan base to claim him and drive up the price. When you think of Magic Johnson, you think Lakers. When you think Moses, you might think Rockets, then Sixers, then maybe the Bullets.
But here is the kicker: that nomadic history actually makes his 1975-76 Topps #254 more special. It’s the only card that captures him before the NBA journey began.
What to Look For When Buying (and Avoiding Fakes)
If you're looking to add a Moses Malone rookie card to your collection, don't just jump at the first "Buy It Now" you see on eBay. You have to be a bit of a detective.
- The Centering: As I mentioned, this is the biggest hurdle. If you find one that is perfectly 50/50 centered, you are looking at a premium item. Even a lower-grade card with great centering is often more desirable to a "purist" collector than a higher grade that looks lopsided.
- Print Bubbles: Topps in the mid-70s loved to leave little "fisheyes" or print defects on the surface. Check the dark areas of the jersey and the background.
- The Back of the Card: The 1975-76 set has a light-colored back. Check for "bleeding" from the green/blue ink. If the back is snowy white, be careful—it might be a modern reprint.
Speaking of reprints, Topps released a "Stars" reprint in 1996. It looks similar, but the card stock is way too glossy and high-quality to be from 1975. Also, the copyright date on the back will give it away. Always check the fine print.
Current Market Trends and 2026 Outlook
Heading into 2026, the market for "Big Man" cards is finally starting to catch up to the guards. For a long time, everyone just wanted Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron. But vintage basketball is seeing a resurgence.
Investors are starting to realize that guys like Moses are historically significant but priced like role players.
Recent auction data shows a steady climb for mid-grade copies. A PSA 7, which was a $50 card not long ago, is now regularly pushing toward $100. It’s not a "get rich quick" card, but it’s a "blue chip" asset. It’s a piece of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
If you can find an SGC or PSA 6 for under $80, you're doing well.
Actionable Steps for the Smart Collector
Don't just buy a raw card and hope for the best. Unless you are an expert at spotting "trimmed" edges—where a seller clips the card to make the corners look sharper—buying graded is the only way to go for a card of this value.
- Prioritize Eye Appeal over Grade: A PSA 5 with perfect centering often looks better than a PSA 7 that is tilted.
- Check the Population Report: Go to the PSA or SGC website and look at how many copies exist in each grade. You’ll see that the "Pop" (population) for high grades is tiny. That scarcity is what protects your investment.
- Look for the Team Leader Card: If the #254 is out of your budget, look for the 1975-76 Topps #286 Utah Stars Team Leaders. It features Moses alongside Ron Boone and Al Smith. It’s much cheaper but still technically a "rookie year" card.
The Moses Malone rookie card isn't just a piece of cardboard. It’s a snapshot of a 19-year-old kid who was about to change the way the center position was played forever. He was the "Chairman of the Boards," and his first card remains one of the most honest, unpretentious pieces of basketball history you can own.
Whether you're buying it for the investment or just because you love the era of short shorts and ABA jerseys, it's a card that commands respect in any collection. Get one now before the "undervalued" tag finally wears off and the prices catch up to his legendary stats.
Next Steps for Your Collection
- Audit your current vintage holdings: Check if any 1975 Topps cards you own have similar "off-center" issues to gauge market value.
- Search for SGC-graded copies: Often, SGC (the "tuxedo" slabs) offers better value for vintage cards than PSA, allowing you to get a higher grade for a lower price.
- Verify the #286 "Team Leaders" card: If you're a completionist, this is the essential "brother" card to the #254 rookie.