If you’ve ever held a 1962 Topps Roman Gabriel rookie card, you know there’s something different about it. It isn't just the vintage wood-grain border that makes the 1962 set so notoriously difficult to find in good condition. It’s the face. Or rather, the wrong face.
Most people don't realize that one of the most famous Roman Gabriel football cards actually features a different Hall of Famer. On his iconic rookie card (No. 88), the small inset photo is actually Y.A. Tittle. It is one of those classic "Topps bloopers" that makes vintage collecting so much more interesting than modern shiny parallels.
Roman Gabriel died in April 2024. He was 83. Since then, interest in his cardboard legacy has spiked, and honestly, it’s about time. He was a 6'4" giant in an era of smaller quarterbacks, the first Filipino-American to really dominate the league, and the 1969 NFL MVP. If you're looking to dive into his cards, there is a lot more to look for than just that quirky rookie.
The 1962 Topps Rookie and the Grading Nightmare
The 1962 Topps set is the "black-bordered" equivalent of the football world, except it’s wood-grain. Because the edges are a dark brown, every tiny bit of chipping shows up like a sore thumb. Finding a Roman Gabriel rookie card (No. 88) with clean edges is a massive challenge.
Basically, if you find one that looks "okay" to the naked eye, it might only grade a PSA 5 or 6.
A PSA 8 of this card can fetch over $2,500.
Compare that to a PSA 7, which often sells for around $250. That is a massive jump for a single grade.
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You've got to watch out for centering too. These were cut so poorly in the 60s that many are "OC" (off-center), which kills the value. And don't forget the Y.A. Tittle mistake. While every 1962 Gabriel card has that error, it’s the kind of trivia that makes the card a conversation piece.
Why 1969 Topps is the Sneaky Power Move
While the rookie is the king, his 1969 Topps card (No. 125) is arguably the most important for his legacy. This was his MVP year. He threw 24 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions—numbers that were unheard of in the "dead ball" era of the 60s.
The 1969 card has a classic, clean design. You can pick up a decent mid-grade copy for $30 to $50, which is a steal considering what he accomplished that season. If you're a "registry" collector, a PSA 9 can occasionally pop up for around $350 to $400.
Beyond the Standard Sets: Oddballs and Philadelphia Gum
From 1964 to 1967, Topps didn't even have the NFL license. A company called Philadelphia Gum did. If you want Roman Gabriel football cards from his early prime with the Rams, you have to look at these.
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- 1964 Philadelphia #89: His first card with the Philadelphia Gum company. It’s got a simple, rugged look.
- 1966 Philadelphia #94: This is a "combo card" featuring both Gabriel and running back Dick Bass. Collectors love these because you get two stars for the price of one.
- 1967 Philadelphia #88: His final card before the license went back to Topps. A PSA 10 of this card recently sold for over $1,100, though you can find raw copies for $20 all day.
Then there are the "oddballs." In 1970, Topps released these giant paper posters. The 1970 Topps Poster #3 features Roman Gabriel and is incredibly hard to find without fold marks because, well, they were meant to be folded and put in pockets.
The Philadelphia Eagles Years and the Comeback
Gabriel’s career had a second act. After his knees started giving out in LA, he was traded to the Eagles in 1973. Everyone thought he was done. Instead, he led the league in passing yards (3,219) and touchdowns (23), winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
His 1974 Topps #310 (which captures his 1973 stats) is a great way to commemorate that season. By the time his 1976 Topps #145 or his final 1978 Topps #409 (released after he retired) came out, the photography had improved significantly. These late-career cards are very affordable, usually under $10 for a nice copy, but they represent the end of an era for one of the game's first true "big" quarterbacks.
Verifying Autographs After 2024
Since Roman Gabriel's passing, the market for signed cards has changed. Gabriel was a prolific signer during his life, often through the mail or at shows. However, with any deceased legend, you have to be careful.
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Look for cards authenticated by PSA/DNA, JSA, or Beckett (BAS). You’ll see plenty of 1963 Topps or 1972 Topps cards with a sharp blue ink signature across the front. These usually sell in the $60 to $100 range. If you see a "raw" autograph for $20, it might be real, but without a certificate, you're taking a gamble.
How to Handle Your Collection
If you've recently inherited a stack of cards or found some Roman Gabriel football cards at a garage sale, don't rush to eBay yet.
First, check the corners. If they are rounded or fuzzy, the value drops by 80% immediately. Second, look for that 1962 rookie. Even in poor condition, it has value because it's a short-print and a rookie. Third, don't clean them. I've seen people try to wipe off "dirt" from 1960s cards and end up taking the ink right off the paper.
Actionable Next Steps
- Identify the Year: Check the back of the card. If it has a 1962 copyright or the "wood-grain" border, focus on that one first.
- Look for the Error: Check your 1962 rookie. Look at the small circular photo in the corner. That's Y.A. Tittle, not Roman. It doesn't make yours more valuable (they’re all like that), but it confirms you have the right card.
- Check Centerings: Use a ruler if you have to. If the image is shifted too far to one side, it will grade poorly.
- Protect the Borders: For the 1962 and 1969 sets, the colored borders chip easily. Get them into a "penny sleeve" and a "top loader" immediately to prevent further damage.
- Evaluate Grading: Unless the card looks nearly perfect (sharp corners, no creases, great centering), it might not be worth the $20-$40 grading fee. For Roman Gabriel, only the 1962 rookie and 1963 second-year card consistently justify the cost in lower grades.