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The Most Expensive Larry Bird Cards of All-Time

Larry Bird most expensive cards mobile
Jason Koeppel // ONE37pm

Are you wondering what the most expensive Larry Bird cards ever sold were? Let's dive in to it!

It’s no secret that Larry Bird was one of the coldest basketball players to grace the hardwood. A 12-time All-Star and 3-time MVP, Bird brought a variety of skills to make the Boston Celtics one of the most dominant teams of the 1980s. In turn, he is a beloved icon in the lore of hoops with the highlights and accolades to prove it.

Related: The 68 Most Valuable Trading Cards of All-Time

“The Hick From French Lick” played at a time when basketball was rising to unprecedented levels of fandom. Couple that with his role on the most storied franchise in the NBA, and you can see why Bird is such a collected player within the hobby.

Today, we are highlighting the 10 most expensive Larry Bird cards of all-time.  To keep the list fresh, we are only allowing an individual card to appear once.  Let’s jump right in and show off the best of Larry Legend!

1. Larry Bird / Julius Erving / Magic Johnson 1980 Topps Rookie PSA 10 - $840,000

1980 Topps Larry Bird Magic Johnson PSA10
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If you were to make a list of the most iconic basketball cards ever, this card would be on it. The 1980-81 Topps Scoring Leaders features three HOFers and is regarded as Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s true rookie card. The set also utilized perforated edges to tear away the individual players, so finding a perfect PSA 10 is nearly impossible.  But when it happens, it is big money, as noted by this $840,000 sale in 2021. 

2. Larry Bird / Michael Jordan / Magic Johnson 2008 Upper Deck Exquisite NBA All Access Triple Logoman 1/1 PSA Authentic - $540,000

2008 UD Exquisite All Access Triple Logoman Jordan Bird Magic
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This is the only known logoman card that features this iconic trio. Game-used patches are not as frequent as they used to be, so having three all-time greats with an incredible logo patch is a sight to see. More recently, we have seen the logoman card generate immense buzz within the hobby. The LeBron James Flawless Triple Logoman sold for $2.4 million, so the owner of this one has to be happy securing it for nearly a fifth of that price. 

3. Larry Bird / Luka Dončić 2020 Immaculate Dual Logoman Autograph 1/1 PSA 7 - $144,000

2020 Immaculate Dual Larry Bird Luka Doncic LOGOMAN
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We always love when a product pairs old and new school players together; it gives the card a new level of perspective and appeal. This stunner showcases two titans in their respective generations, and both of them have scored the ball in a way few others can. Of course, having dual signatures and dual logoman patches can’t hurt either. This 1/1 from Immaculate last sold for $144,000 during a January PWCC Premier auction.

4. Larry Bird / Kevin Garnett 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph 1/1 BGS Authentic - $85,200

2009 UD Exquisite Dual Logoman Bird Garnett Logoman
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Both of these players would appear on anyone’s top 5 Celtics list, so having them sign on one card is truly special. We are also noticing a pattern with the logoman patches, but who wouldn’t want a game-worn Larry Bird jersey relic? In the near future, this card may have to make room for Jayson Tatum, but this Beckett-authenticated gem from Exquisite is spectacular nonetheless.

5. Larry Bird 1981 Topps #4 PSA 10 - $49,200

1981 topps larry bird
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Although a second-year card, this is Bird’s first solo appearance on a trading card. For many high-end basketball collectors, having this ‘81 copy in a high grade is a grail in its own right. The slim borders make this one tough to center up, as indicated by its PSA 10 population of only 63. It has sold for as high as $49,200 during a Heritage auction.

6. Larry Bird 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Limited Logos Patch Autograph PSA 10/AUTO 10 - $44,400

2003 Exquisite Limited Logos Larry Bird PATCH
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We will die on this hill: there is not a better-looking autograph set than the 2003 Exquisite Limited Logos. The design, the jumbo patches, the on-card signature – it’s just perfect. Plus, this card is printed on thicker cardstock, so achieving a PSA 10 grade is nearly unheard of. Limited to 75 copies, it last sold for just north of $44,000 in January 2022.

7. Larry Bird / Michael Jordan 2001 Upper Deck Legends Dual Patch Autograph PSA 6/AUTO 10 - $43,200

2001 UD Legends Legendary Jersey Jordan Bird AUTO
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Here is Jordan and Bird’s first dual autograph, which comes from 2001 Upper Deck Legends. Limited to just 10 copies, this stunner contains a game-worn patch and John Hancock from each NBA legend. With its rarity, this is not one you will likely see surface again soon. 

8. Larry Bird / Michael Jordan / Magic Johnson 2004-05 SP Authentic Triple Signatures /15 BGS 8.5 - $40,000

2004 SP Authentic Jordan Magic Bird AUTO
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These three masters of the game ruled basketball during most of the 1980s/1990s. Each of them possesses remarkable penmanship, which is on full display with this on-card triple autograph from SP Authentic. MJ has an exclusive trading card license with Upper Deck, so we aren’t likely to see any more of these gems being produced. In turn, cards with these three players on them will always have a special premium, as indicated by the $40,000 sale.

9. Larry Bird / Magic Johnson 2007-08 Upper Deck Chronology Dual Autograph BGS 9.5 - $37,200

2007 Upper Deck Chronology Gold Larry Bird Magic Johnson AUTO
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The canvassed artwork shown in the Upper Deck Chronology set is in a league of its own. This particular copy shows the two rivals turned friends sharing a laugh next to the Larry O’Brien trophy. With an impressive Beckett 9.5 grade, it’s no wonder why this one closed at over $37,000 during a 2021 PWCC Premier auction.

10. Michael Jordan / Magic Johnson / Larry Bird / Julius Erving 2004-5 SP Authentic Quadruple Signatures /10 PSA 10 - $34,924

2004 SP Authentic Quadruple Signatures Jordan Magic Bird Erving
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Last, but certainly not least, is a white whale card for just about any basketball fan. The 15 combined rings and countless achievements from the players on this card are astounding. We saw the triple autograph sell for $40,000 in a BGS 8.5 grade, so the new proprietor of this incredible piece of memorabilia has to be pretty confident in the purchase. 

Do you have any "Larry Legend" cards in your collection? Is the "hick from French Lick" in your top 5 players of all-time? Which one of the cards in my list of the most expensive Larry Bird cards is your favorite? Let us know @CardTalkPod on Instagram and Twitter.

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