WAYNE GRETZKY
Hockey • 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Hockey
Sport & Year
Hockey • 1979
Brand & Set
O-Pee-Chee - 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Hockey
Card Number
#18
Card Type
Rookie Card
Rarity
Base (High-Value Rookie)
Parallel Variant & Language
Base • English/French
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Grade
Good (G 2) to Very Good (VG 3)
Estimated Market Value
Raw/Low Grade: $800 - $1,500; Graded (PSA 2-3): $1,200 - $2,200; High Grade (Reference Only): $500,000+ for PSA 10.
Recent Sales
Low-grade examples (PSA 1-3) recently sold on eBay and Goldin between $700 and $2,500 depending on eye appeal. PSA 10 'Gem Mint' examples are record-breaking million-dollar assets.
Condition Details
Moderate to heavy rounding on the corners, especially the top right. Centering is significantly shifted toward the bottom left. The screw-down holder (non-recessed) poses a risk of surface crushing or 'paper loss' upon removal. General surface wear and possible slight edge chipping are visible.
Grading Recommendation
Yes, highly recommended. Even in poor condition, authenticating this card is vital due to the high volume of counterfeits. It should be moved from the screw-down holder to a penny sleeve and top-loader immediately to prevent further damage before submitting to PSA or KSA (common for OPC cards).
Card Description
Wayne Gretzky is featured in his Edmonton Oilers home blue jersey during his rookie season. The card design features a distinctive 'skate' graphic at the bottom right containing his name and position (Center). The team name 'OILERS' is printed vertically along the right border. The reverse side includes bilingual stats and a cartoon.
Notable Features
Iconic Rookie Card (RC). O-Pee-Chee (OPC) version is much rarer and more valuable than the Topps US counterpart, distinguished by the 'Printed in Canada' text and rougher edge cuts.
Authentication Notes
A primary indicator of authenticity is the 'yellow dot' on the left shoulder of Gretzky's jersey; however, this card requires professional verification as it is the most counterfeited sports card in history. The 'rough cut' edges typical of O-Pee-Chee are visible, which is often a positive sign of authenticity.
Scanned: 2026-04-14T02:22:08.549524