Wayne Gretzky
Hockey • 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee
Sport & Year
Hockey • 1979
Brand & Set
O-Pee-Chee - 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee
Card Number
18
Card Type
Rookie Card
Rarity
Rookie Base
Parallel Variant & Language
Base • English/French (Bilingual)
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Grade
Good (G 2) to Very Good (VG 3)
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $600 - $1,200; Graded PSA 2-3: $1,100 - $1,800. Values for this specific card are extremely volatile based on authenticity.
Recent Sales
Low-grade authentic examples (PSA 1-3) recently sold between $1,000 and $2,500 on eBay and Heritage Auctions. High-grade examples reach six and seven figures.
Condition Details
Moderate to heavy corner rounding, edge wear, and noticeable surface creasing/scuffing. Centering is shifted towards the bottom/right. Possible staining or surface dirt visible.
Grading Recommendation
Highly Recommended for Authentication. Because this is the most counterfeited card in the hobby, a 'slab' from PSA or SGC is required to prove authenticity for resale, regardless of the numerical grade.
Card Description
Wayne Gretzky's iconic rookie card features him in an Edmonton Oilers blue jersey. The design includes a blue and yellow nameplate and a red 'OILERS' banner. The photo shows Gretzky in action on the ice.
Notable Features
This is widely considered the most important hockey card ever produced. Notable for the 'skater on the back' (if O-Pee-Chee version) and the blue lines on the back. It signifies the start of the 'Great One's' NHL career.
Authentication Notes
Extreme caution advised. Key markers for authenticity include the 'rough cut' edges typical of O-Pee-Chee's wire-cut process and a small yellow print dot on Gretzky's shoulder. This image shows signs of wear consistent with age, but digital imaging cannot confirm ink depth or card stock weight.
Scanned: 2026-04-13T07:34:55.902411