Learn All About the Lance Alworth Rookie Card

By: Marty Beets

Lance Alworth is considered one of the greatest receivers in football history. Alworth ended his career second to only Don Maynard in all-time receiving yards and touchdown catches.

His rookie and early cards are very sought after. Some are valuable while others are more affordable. Let's take a look at some of these vintage Lance Alworth cards:

1963 Fleer

Card #72

This is the most recognized Lance Alworth rookie card. It is universally considered a rookie card.

The 1973 Fleer Lance Alworth card is from an 88 card set of AFL players. This is the only Fleer Alworth card and is his primary rookie.

1962 Golden Arrow

This milk bottle cap is the earliest issued Lance Alworth collectible.  It is considered an oddball rookie.

This bottle cap is part of a 35-cap set that was issued by a Southern California dairy farm.  The set consists of 32 Chargers players, their coach, and the AFL commissioner.

1964 Topps

Card #155

This is the first card Topps made of Lance Alworth. It is not considered a Lance Alworth rookie. 

Topps lost the rights to produce NFL cards for the 1964 season, so they made AFL cards instead. This is Lance Alworth's first Topps card. It's considered his second-year card.

1965 Topps

This is the 2nd football card Topps produced of Lance Alworth.  It is not considered a rookie.

Card #155

In 1965 chose to experiment with a 2 1/2" x 4 11/16" card size.  These are referred to as "tallboys", a size used for basketball cards a few years later.

Review of Lance Alworth cards:

1962 Golden Arrow Considered an oddball rookie.

1963 Fleer Universally considered a rookie.

1964 Topps Not a rookie.

1965 Topps Not a rookie.