1964 Topps Football Ernie Barnes Rookie #48 PSA 9

This rare 1964 Topps rookie card showcases Ernie Barnes, offensive guard for the Denver Broncos, in classic gridiron pose. The card is notably graded PSA 9 (Mint), with just 17 examples at this high tier, making it among the finest known. While Barnes is remembered for his football career, he achieved lasting fame as a pioneering African American artist, celebrated for such works as "The Sugar Shack." The card displays Barnes’s athletic background and precedes his legendary impact in the art world.

Barnes stands apart as the only major artist featured in mainstream football card sets, bridging the worlds of sports and fine art. His rookie card is a unique crossover collectible, valued not only as a vintage football issue but as a tangible artifact of Black excellence across disciplines. His artwork broke barriers in American culture, and this card links collectors to both sports history and transformative Black cultural achievement. Only 17 PSA 9 graded examples exist; Barnes is the only acclaimed artist with a recognized Topps football rookie card.