The 1964 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the key post-war issues in the hobby. It was the year of the debuts of several future Hall of Famers like Dick Allen, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, and Steve Carlton. The design featured bright solid colors on a white background with a team logo across the top. It also included some of the earliest “action shot” cards rather than standard posed portraits that were more common in the 1950s and early 60s.
With its historical significance and eye-catching visuals, the 1964 Topps set is a popular target for professional grading by PSA. Here’s an in-depth look at what to expect when submitting your 1964s to PSA for authentication and condition assessment.
Population Report
As of 2022, PSA has graded over 600,000 individual 1964 Topps cards in their history. Population figures can vary widely depending on the specific card. Common players may have tens of thousands graded while highly valuable rookie cards could be in the low thousands or less.
Checking the PSA website population report is important for any collector considering a submission. It gives a sense of the overall supply and demand dynamics that influence a card’s potential value based on grade. Higher populations tend to correspond to lower prices, all else being equal.
Grading Standards
Like most vintage issues, a PSA Gem Mint 10 1964 Topps card is effectively flawless. Even the slightest production irregularities or handling wear will cause it to grade lower. Tiny gum stains, off-centered borders, or an ever-so-slight nick or bend can result in a PSA 9 instead. Condition is extremely critical to value with these classic cardboard.
The iconic bright colors of 1964 Topps are very appealing but also vulnerable to fading or discoloration over decades. Harsh chemical dyes combined with sunlight exposure means certain hues like vibrant greens are prone to darkening. Such optical flaws will greatly hamper a card’s numerical grade from PSA. Proper storage helps maximize long-term preservation.
Turnaround Times
Standard PSA grading services for older baseball issues like 1964 Topps currently list estimated completion dates around 9-12 months from receipt. Most experienced third-party submission companies promise faster returns, often 3-6 months, by batching customer orders into larger bulk submissions to PSA. This allows collectors faster access to the market while still gaining the authenticity, analysis, and marketability of a PSA holder and label.
Value Impacts
A 1964 Topps rookie card like Dick Allen or Johnny Bench in PSA Gem Mint 10 condition is worth thousands to tens of thousands depending on player and scarcity. The same card in lower grades sees decreasing values as condition deteriorates.
A PSA 9 can still carry strong four-figure valuations due to rarity and eye appeal despite nominal flaws. But once into the PSA 8 or lower range, values typically plateau in the low hundreds as faults become more evident to buyers. Slabbed grades provide transparent authentication that significantly boosts selling prices over raw or uncertified cards in the collectibles marketplace.
Submission Checklist
When preparing 1964 Topps cards for PSA submission, condition is king. Before paying submission or grading fees, take time to carefully inspect each candidate under bright lighting. Check for:
Front/back centering – How even are the borders all around? Off-center tends to lower grades.
Corners – Look for rounded/blunted versus sharp. Dings lower grades significantly.
Edges – How smooth and crisp are they without nicks or roughness?
Surface – Inspect for scratches, scuffs, stains or residue/debris. Trickier to notice on early color issues.
Colors – Check for fading, darkening or discoloration over time of dyes. Can harm grade.
Only cards in truly pristine condition with no discernible flaws stand a chance at a PSA 9 or 10. Lesser candidates may not be worth the submission costs for a lower expected grade. Take the time to be selective.
In Conclusion
The 1964 Topps baseball set holds immense nostalgia and investment potential for collectors looking to add key pieces to their vintage portfolios. Professionally slabbed examples through PSA provide the authentication and impartial condition assessment necessary to confidently buy, sell, or enjoy these classic cardboard cricketers from an exciting era in the game’s history. With care and diligent selection, collectors stand to realize long-term meaningful returns on investment in their 1964 Topps submissions to PSA.
