Lester Hayes

1981 Topps Lester Hayes #218 value & prices

The 1981 Topps Lester Hayes #218 is a Football card released in 1981. In ungraded condition it carries an estimated value of about $1.50, with professionally graded copies commanding more.

Condition is everything here — an ungraded copy is worth around $1.50, a PSA 9 around $31.51, a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) around $144.92 and a pristine BGS 10 around $188.00. That's roughly a 97× premium for a gem-mint copy over raw — one of the clearest signals that condition-sensitive buyers dominate this card's market.

Compare every grade in the price table above and tap through to active eBay listings. Add Lester Hayes to your Ripbin locker to watch its value over time.

Collector's notes

The junk-wax era means supply is high, but that cuts both ways: raw copies are affordable entry points, while flawless graded examples stand out precisely because so many copies exist in lesser condition.

The football hobby centers on rookies and stars, with flagship sets drawing the most graded submissions.

Is it worth grading?

With raw copies near $1.50 and top grades reaching $144.92, grading a sharp copy of this card can clearly pay for itself — the spread comfortably covers a typical ~$25.00 grading fee. The catch: only submit copies with strong centering, clean corners, and unmarked surfaces, because anything below a 9 usually erases the math.

When choosing a grader, PSA slabs typically resell fastest, BGS rewards truly pristine copies, and SGC/CGC offer faster turnarounds — compare each label's value in the grade table above.

Smart buying guide

The fastest way to gauge the real market for this card is to scan the live eBay listings above: look at the spread between auction and Buy-It-Now prices, and check sold history before paying top dollar.

If you own this card, scan it with Ripbin to add it to your locker — you'll see its value tracked over time, and other collectors can discover it and send bids.