Football
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana
1981 · 1981 Topps · #216 · 58 sold comps
8.5
AI pre-grade
A 1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 — the rookie of the quarterback who won four Super Bowls.
Corners
8
Edges
8.5
Surface
8.5
Centering
9.5
L/R · T/B
50/50 · 53/47
Est. value
$126
Theme Color
Grade Analysis Complete
Your card has been professionally graded
8.5
AI Grading Results
Near MintScale 1–10 · AI
Corners, edges, surface & centering — powered by computer vision.
Close-up viewSelect any corner or edge on the card to inspect it here, then tap the close-up to zoom in. Tap the middle of the card to see your original photo.
Corners
8
Near MintEdges
8.5
Near MintSurface
8.5
Near MintCentering
9.5
MintSide: Front (96%)Category: Card (100%)Damaged: OK (94%)Detection: 95% (Card)
Limiting factor
Corners is the weakest sub-grade at 8.0. Universal grade killer on all scales. Next concern: Surface 8.5
Surface inspection
Surface Lab
Five ways to see why the surface scored what it did — magnify the marks, trace the scratches, rake light across the surface. Open any tool to inspect the card yourself.
Centering Details
9.5
Saved Centering Score
9.5 / 10
Excellent centering
Centering overlay: green/red guides mark the measured printed borders; labels are the saved measurements.
Border Measurements
Saved L/R Ratio50/50
Saved T/B Ratio53/47
Left57px
Top63px
Right57px
Bottom56px
The card is centered horizontally and shifted down vertically relative to the image frame.
Normalized offsets: 0.0406, 0.0330, 0.0412, 0.0293
Border widths as a fraction of the card's full dimension (0.05 = 5%). Lower = tighter.
Analysis Images
Original Image
Cropped Card
Centering Overlay
PGC Slab
📸
Image Quality Analysis
Good — 92/100Background: wood-grain table
Visible card condition
- centering noticeably shifted toward the top (narrower top border than bottom)
This is a well-lit photo of your 1981 Topps Joe Montana rookie card, showing crisp focus across the artwork, borders, and corners. However, the patterned wood-grain table background can make it harder for the detection AI to isolate the card's true perimeter, which can affect edge and corner evaluation. For optimal results, place the card on a plain, solid background that contrasts with the light borders—such as a dark, non-reflective mat—to help sharpen edge detection.
Hybrid Grade Forecast™
Based on our AI sub-grade analysis, here is how we expect this card to perform across major grading companies.
PSA
8
NM-MT
Strong candidate
CGC
8.5
Mint
Technical accuracy high
Grade Forecast Comparison
PSA
8
BGS
8.5
SGC
7
CGC
8.5
💰
Submit or Sell Raw?
Net profit after grading fees, shipping, and insurance
Predicted 8.5 could net $712.31 after CGC fees, shipping, and insurance. Upside: if it grades 9.5, est. net $1,092.06.
Raw Value Est.
$125.00
Graded Value Est. (8.5)
$759.50
Upside if 9.5
$1,139.25
Net $1,092.06
| Company | Total Cost | Best Grade | Net Profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGC Economy 90 working days | $47.19 | 8.5 | +$712.31 | 1,509.5% |
| BGS Express 15 business days active via temporary submission form; includes subgrades | $107.14 | 8.5 | +$652.36 | 608.9% |
| PSA Value 90-100 business days reopened Oct 29 2026 at $39.99 (was $32.99 pre-pause); new Value subs queue behind existing backlog; max insured $500 | $67.18 | 8 | +$521.13 | 775.7% |
| TAG Standard 45 business days includes 1000-point Score + Card Rank; $1k coverage | $87.14 | 8 | +$501.17 | 575.1% |
| SGC Standard ($1,500) 40-50 business days active; raised from $15 on Sep 2 2026 | $77.19 | 7 | +$275.79 | 357.3% |
🎚️ What if it grades differently?
Hypothetical grade8.5
Grading company & tier
Graded value
—
Net after fees
—
ROI
—
*Estimates use live marketplace data and current service-tier fees from each grading company. Paused tiers are marked. Turnaround times are estimates published by the grading companies and may vary.
📊
Live Market Comps
Recent sales & marketplace listings
Graded Prices (by Grader)
sgc4: $138.754.5: $130.005: $135.745.5: $144.336: $167.176.5: $152.557: $254.217.5: $387.008.5: $759.50 ←9: $2,650.21
mba4: $120.75
cgc6.5: $149.998.5: $900.00 ←
psa1: $165.002: $175.003: $155.004: $127.515: $150.796: $183.007: $277.527.5: $499.958: $692.279: $3,984.81
bgs5.5: $140.006.5: $185.007: $232.687.5: $335.788: $420.618.5: $721.87 ←9: $2,634.00
58 soldMedian (USD): $120.0050 activeAsking median (USD): $150.00
Sold Price Distribution (USD)
21
20
3
3
1
1
1
Sold Price Trend · 61 sales, 25 days
▼ -7.9% last 30 days
SOLD
Recent Sold Comps
| Listing | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
JOE MONTANA 2010 TOPPS CHROME ROOKIE REPRINTS 1981 216 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (B133 Sold 2026-10-27 | $2.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 TOPPS FOOTBALL JOE MONTANA #216 ROOKIE CARDS Sold 2026-10-31T04:09:01Z | $44.88 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps JOE MONTANA RC Card #216 GOAT 🐐 Sold 2026-10-28T16:02:56Z | $54.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 TOPPS #216 JOE MONTANA 49ers RC VG to VG-EX CENTERED L@@K Sold 2026-11-02T05:03:01Z | $56.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana RC #216 49ers Writing on Back See Photos Sold 2026-11-03 | $59.99 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 Rookie Base Set San Francisco 49ers Card Sold 2026-10-25 | $61.00 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 Rookie San Francisco 49ers Football Card Sold 2026-11-02 | $69.00 | Sold ↗ |
VINTAGE 1981 TOPPS #216 JOE MONTANA ROOKIE FOOTBALL CARD SAN FRANCISCO 49ers HOF Sold 2026-10-25 | $74.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Sold 2026-10-06T01:21:13Z | $76.75 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Football Joe Montana RC San Francisco 49ers #216 EX Sold 2026-10-08T01:08:00Z | $77.67 | Sold ↗ |
1981 TOPPS JOE MONTANA #216 ROOKIE EXCELLENT Sold 2026-10-25T02:00:01Z | $82.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Set-Break #216 Joe Montana RC EX-EXMINT *GMCARDS* Sold 2026-10-25T06:15:09Z | $85.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Sold 2026-11-04T00:00:36Z | $89.56 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana Rookie Card #216 (RC) Fantastic Condition! Sold 2026-10-13T00:03:01Z | $93.00 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Joe Montana RC #216 San Francisco 49ers Sold 2026-10-28 | $99.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 TOPPS FOOTBALL SET JOE MONTANA RC #216, HOF, Rookie! Sold 2026-11-01 | $99.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Sold 2026-10-25 | $100.00 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Joe Montana Rookie Card #216 San Francisco 49ers NFL Football Sold 2026-11-01 | $104.87 | Sold ↗ |
ORIGINAL 1981 TOPPS FOOTBALL #216 JOE MONTANA ROOKIE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS NICE! Sold 2026-10-19T01:16:01Z | $106.38 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie RC #216 49ers Sold 2026-11-01 | $108.50 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Football Card 216 San Francisco 49ers HOF RC | $114.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Football ~ Card #216 ~ Joe Montana HOF Rookie ~ EX+/EM Centered Sold 2026-10-25 | $119.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) very nice card | $120.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card 216 San Francisco 49ers QB NFL Ungraded | $124.00 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Joe Montana #216 Rookie Base Set San Francisco 49ers Football Sold 2026-11-03 | $125.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 TOPPS JOE MONTANA #216 HOF ROOKIE CARD SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS QB NFL | $125.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana Rookie Card #216 (RC) Sold 2026-11-01 | $130.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Set-Break #216 Joe Montana RC EX-EXMINT *GMCARDS* Sold 2026-11-04 | $134.50 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Sold 2026-10-30 | $139.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Set-Break #216 Joe Montana RC EX-EXMINT *GMCARDS* Sold 2026-11-01 | $140.50 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Sold 2026-10-13T18:09:05Z | $150.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) CLEAN Sold 2026-11-03 | $159.00 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Football Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers #216 RC Base Set | $159.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie RC #216 49ers Sold 2026-11-02 | $161.50 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie RC #216 49ers Sold 2026-10-28 | $166.25 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) BGS6.5 Sold 2026-11-04 | $175.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Set-Break #216 Joe Montana RC EX-EXMINT *GMCARDS* Sold 2026-10-29 | $181.90 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Set-Break #216 Joe Montana Rookie RC VGEX + Centered! Sold 2026-10-24 | $189.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie RC 216 49ers G2U Sold 2026-11-04 | $196.50 | Sold ↗ |
Topps 1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Base Set #216 San Francisco 49ers Sold 2026-10-26 | $204.50 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Sold 2026-11-01 | $225.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 Rookie RC HOF 8cx | $230.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Football Joe Montana #216 Rookie RC | $249.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 JOE MONTANA Rookie Card RC HOF San Francisco 49er’s Nice!! | $299.13 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - #216 Joe Montana (RC) | $375.00 | Sold ↗ |
Joe Montana #216 (RC) Buy Now , Great Investment Sold 2026-11-05 | $400.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Football #216 Joe Montana Rookie Card 49ers Nice! | $425.00 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 Rookie RC HOF 0j49 | $635.00 | Sold ↗ |
Joe Montana 49ers Signed 1981 Topps Series 1 216 BAS Rookie Card w/Joe Cool Insc | $759.99 | Sold ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) | $899.00 | Sold ↗ |
ACTIVE
Live eBay Listings
| Listing | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
JOE MONTANA 2010 TOPPS CHROME ROOKIE REPRINTS 1981 216 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS UngradedBIN | $3.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana Rookie Card #216 San Francisco 49ers UngradedBIN | $68.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Football Joe Montana Rookie RC Card #216 Crease UngradedBINOBO | $74.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps # 216 Joe Montana (B64) San Francisco 49ers UngradedBIN | $74.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana Rookie RC - EX UngradedBINOBO | $95.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Rookie Card 49ers HOF UngradedBINOBO | $100.00 | eBay ↗ |
Topps 1981 Joe Montana Rookie San Francisco 49ers #216 Base Set Card UngradedBINOBO | $105.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) UngradedBINOBO | $110.00 | eBay ↗ |
Topps 1981 Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers #216 Football Card RC Base UngradedBINOBO | $110.00 | eBay ↗ |
Topps 1981 Joe Montana #216 San Francisco 49ers Football Trading Card UngradedBINOBO | $115.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana UngradedBINOBO | $119.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) San Francisco 49ers HOF Vintage UngradedBIN | $120.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana UngradedBINOBO | $120.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) Raw SCREW DOWN CASE INCLUDED UngradedBINOBO | $120.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card 216 San Francisco 49ers QB NFL Ungraded UngradedBINOBO | $124.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 San Francisco 49ers Rookie ⭐️ UngradedBINOBO | $124.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 RC San Francisco 49ers Football EX UngradedBIN | $125.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 TOPPS JOE MONTANA #216 HOF ROOKIE CARD SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS QB NFL UngradedBINOBO | $125.99 | eBay ↗ |
Topps 1981 Joe Montana #216 Rookie Base Set San Francisco 49ers Football UngradedBINOBO | $129.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card, San Francisco 49ers Goat VG-Exc #216 UngradedBIN | $139.95 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana UngradedBIN | $139.99 | eBay ↗ |
Topps 1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Base #216 San Francisco 49ers NFL UngradedBINOBO | $150.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) 49ers UngradedBIN | $150.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana ROOKIE San Francisco 49ers #216 (RC) SEE PHOTOS!! UngradedBINOBO | $159.99 | eBay ↗ |
Topps 1981 Football Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers #216 RC Base Set UngradedBINOBO | $159.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card #216 San Francisco 49ers UngradedBIN | $160.00 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana Rookie San Francisco 49ers 1981 Topps #216 HOF RC UngradedBINOBO | $165.00 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana (RC) - 1981 Topps Rookie (San Francisco) #216 UngradedBIN | $169.99 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana RC 1981 Topps ROOKIE Card #216 San Francisco 49ers EX-NM Sharp! UngradedBIN | $174.95 | eBay ↗ |
1981 TOPPS -- #216 JOE MONTANA -- ROOKIE RC - LOOK!! NICE!!! UngradedBINOBO | $174.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana RC 49ers Rookie Card HOF EX Raw UngradedBIN | $200.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) UngradedBINOBO | $210.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 Rookie RC HOF 8cx UngradedBIN | $230.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Football Joe Montana #216 Rookie RC UngradedBINOBO | $249.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 JOE MONTANA Rookie Card RC HOF San Francisco 49er’s Nice!! UngradedBINOBO | $299.13 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana **ROOKIE CARD / EXCELLENT CONDITION** 1981 Topps #216 🔥💥 UngradedBINOBO | $299.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Football # 216 Joe Montana (RC) EX-EXMINT *PrestigeFC.eStore* UngradedBINOBO | $325.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - #216 Joe Montana (RC) UngradedBIN | $375.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana RC UngradedBIN | $377.14 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Football JOE MONTANA #216 San Francisco 49ers Rookie UngradedBIN | $410.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Football #216 Joe Montana Rookie Card 49ers Nice! UngradedBIN | $425.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps #216 Joe Montana 49ers RC HOF Notre Dame 7 - NM UngradedBIN | $497.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana RC #216 NM-MT UngradedBINOBO | $550.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 Rookie RC HOF 0j49 UngradedBIN | $635.00 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana 49ers Signed 1981 Topps #216 BAS Fanatics Witnessed Auth Rookie Card BINOBO | $719.99 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana 49ers Signed 1981 Topps #216 BAS Fanatics Rookie Card w/HOF Insc BINOBO | $759.99 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana 49ers Signed 1981 Topps Series 1 #216 BAS Rookie Card w/Champ Insc BINOBO | $759.99 | eBay ↗ |
Joe Montana 49ers Signed 1981 Topps #216 BAS Fanatics 10 Rookie Card w/HOF Insc BINOBO | $799.99 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps - Joe Montana #216 (RC) UngradedBINOBO | $899.00 | eBay ↗ |
1981 Topps, Joe Montana Rookie Card, #216; Nice Centering, Corners and Edges! RC UngradedBIN | $1,000.00 | eBay ↗ |
IMAGE MATCH
Listings that look like your card
These listings match your card by image. Tap a card or title to open the listing.
1981 Topps Joe Montana RC #216 / PSA 10 GEM MT | eBay
CRAZY WACKY FACTORY CUT 1981 Topps Joe Montana #216 HOF RC ...
1981 TOPPS FOOTBALL #216 JOE MONTANA ROOKIE - PSA MINT 10 ...
Joe Montana 49ers 1981 Topps #216 Rookie Card RP - Etsy
Cards of Super Bowl players - Sports Collectors Digest
Goldin | The Global Go-To For High-End Collectibles
Joe Montana San Francisco 49ers 1981 Topps #216 SGC ...
1981 Topps Joe Montana Rookie Card #216 49ers HOF | eBay
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💡
Not getting the grade you expected?
Your photo quality directly affects the AI's ability to read your card accurately. Here are the most common things that can affect your grade — and how to fix them:
🖼️
Use a plain background
Patterned or colorful backgrounds make it harder for the AI to detect your card's true edges. Place your card on a solid white or light-colored surface before photographing.
🃏
Scan raw cards — no sleeves or toploaders
Penny sleeves and toploaders reflect light and blur fine details. The AI can't accurately assess corners, edges, or surface through plastic. Remove all holders before scanning.
🔍
Fill the frame — get close
The more of the image your card occupies, the more detail the AI can see. Small or distant cards lose corner sharpness and surface detail. Crop in so the card fills most of the photo.
💡
Use even, shadow-free lighting
Shadows, glare, and camera flash create artifacts that look like surface defects to the AI. Use soft, diffused lighting from multiple angles — or scan on a flatbed scanner for the most consistent results.
📐
Keep the card flat and straight
A tilted or bent card distorts centering measurements and can create false edge wear readings. Place the card flat on a solid surface and shoot directly from above.
✅ Fix these issues and rescan — you'll often see better grade on the second attempt. Every credit saves you from wasting a $25–$80 grading submission fee.
Disclaimer: PreGradeCards reports, AI pre-grade estimates, sub-grades, and market values are provided for entertainment, estimation, and evaluation purposes only. Card identification, market comps, pricing, and population data are sourced from or supplemented by third parties. We make no guarantees, promises, or warranties—implied or expressed—as to grade accuracy in comparison to any other grading organization or regarding any other information in this report. Users should independently corroborate all information with additional sources before making any decisions or taking any actions.
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