Dan Marino – Most Collectible Cards

Dan Marino had an incredible career for the Miami Dolphins Dominating the NFL at the quarterback position for 17 seasons.

In just his 2nd season in the league in 1984, Marino threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns, both NFL records at the time. Resulting in him being named the NFL’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year that season.

Dan Marino Sports Card Collage

Marino was named First-Team All-Pro 3 times, Second-Team All-Pro 3 times, and was a 9-time Pro Bowl selection.

Although Dan Marino cards have always been a great area of interest for collectors due to his legendary career, the recent sports card surge has provided an additional layer of value and desirability to many cards featuring his likeness.

Below are the 7 most collectible Dan Marino cards and some extra memorabilia items.

7. 1984 Dan Marino Dolphins Police Rookie Card, No Number

Estimated PSA 10 Price- $350+

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $75

1984 Dan Marino Dolphins Police Rookie Card

In 1984, local law enforcement teamed up with the Miami Dolphins to produce a set of 16 cards featuring several different Dolphins players. The card has no number but was #9 in the series so is sometimes listed for sale as such.

Primarily distributed through law enforcement officials themselves, the cards were larger than traditional sports cards, measuring 2 and 5/8 inches by 4 and 1/8 inches.

The Dan Marino card sports a white border, an orange and aqua background, and an action shot of Marino standing in the pocket. Along with Marino’s name and jersey number listed near the top and his position listed near the bottom.

1984 Dan Marino Dolphins Police Rookie Card rear of card

Interestingly, the card’s rear lists safety advice about avoiding getting into cars with strangers. This is instead of the usual player information or statistics.

6. 1986 Topps Dan Marino Card #45

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $800

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $55

1986 Topps Dan Marino Card #45

The 1986 Topps football set contains one of the more underrated card designs of the 1980s. Displaying a green border interspersed with diagonal lines resembling a football field.

The #45 Dan Marino card contains a photo of Marino from his mid-section upward with the Topps logo in the top right corner. Below the picture the phrase “Topps All Pro” is listed. Commemorating Marino’s First-Team All-Pro selection in 1985.

Marino’s name, position, and team are also listed on the card’s front near the bottom.

1986 Topps Dan Marino rear of Card #45

The rear possesses a white insert positioned diagonally within a yellow background. With the insert listing Marino’s season stats from 1983 to 1985 and some early career accomplishments.

5. 1985 Topps Dan Marino Card #314

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $2,000

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $105

1985 Topps Dan Marino Cards #314

Despite lacking the artistic design of other Marino cards. The #314 Topps card is a very valuable product due to it being such an early career card.

The front employs a horizontal layout from the photo’s perspective. With a black border and a close-up picture of Marino from the chest upward, the picture covering the card’s left and center.

The phrase “Topps All Pro” is listed on the top left of the card on the black border in white font. Commemorating Marino’s First-Team All-Pro selection in 1985.

The right side of the card, again from a horizontal perspective, contains Marino’s name in white bolded font and team name in black font on a light blue border.

1985 Topps Card #314 back of card

The rear of the card lists Marino’s stats for his first 2 seasons in the league. It also details 3 different records that he broke during the 1984 season.

4. 1984 Topps Glossy NFL Star Set Rookie Card #3

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $2,250

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $120

1984 Topps Glossy NFL Star Set Rookie Card #3

The 1984 Topps Glossy NFL Star Set was an 11-card insert series, with one card in the series placed in each rack pack of 1984 Topps football cards.

Rack packs contained 54 cards in a cellophane package with the cards divided into 3, 18-card sections.

The cards themselves contained a very stylish design, with a glossy finish, blue borders, and great action shots of the players.

The #3 Dan Marino rookie card in this set pictures him dropping back in the pocket to deliver a pass. With the NFL insignia shield printed near the bottom left and Marino’s name and position listed at the bottom on a yellow strip.

1984 Topps Glossy NFL Star Set Rookie Card #3 back of card

The rear displays little information other than identifying it with the NFL Star Set series.

3. 1984 Topps Sticker Rookie Card #222

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $2,500

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $135

1984 Topps Sticker Rookie Card #222

Many sticker cards from both Topps and Fleer in the mid-80s possess plenty of value in higher grades. This is partly a result of very few of these products remaining unpeeled in their original state.

The #222 Topps Sticker Dan Marino rookie card is no exception. Carrying a significant value in PSA 10 condition. Despite having a relatively uninspiring picture or design.

The sticker card shows Marino taking a practice snap in full uniform, with no other information listed.

1984 Topps Sticker Rookie Card #222 rear of card

The rear lists Marino’s name and an advertisement for other Topps collectible products.

2. 2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom! Gold, Card #K25

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $3,000

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $1,000

2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom! Gold, Dan Marino Card #K25

The Panini Kaboom series implements a comic-book design on its cards. Posing a unique contrast from many of the typical sports cards in the market.

The front and back of the 2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom #K25 gold card picture Marino as a cartoon caricature. Showing him throwing the football from the pocket. The card’s front background employs a shiny, golden design amid star-shaped outlines. With the word “Kaboom” written on both sides of the card in a bold, thick-style font.

2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom! Gold, Card #K25 rear of card

The card doesn’t contain any statistical or player bio information. Letting its unique design be the entire focus of the card itself. 

1. 1984 Topps Rookie Card #123

Estimated PSA 10 Price – $4,500

Estimated PSA 9 Price – $375

1984 Topps Rookie Card #123

The most collectible, desirable, and one of the most valuable Dan Marino sports cards is by far, the iconic #123 Topps rookie card. This card commands a high price in perfect condition, There are however plenty of good quality ungraded cards available for not a lot of money.

Its front showcases a white border and pictures Marino from the waist up in his Dolphins uniform. While his name is listed on the top left of the card on a small diagonal red border.

The card’s bottom lists the Dolphins’ name and logo, the Topps logo, Marino’s position, and the phrase “AFC Pro Bowl” in commemoration of him being named to the Pro Bowl during his rookie season.

1984 Topps Rookie Card #123 rear of card

The rear displays Marino’s stats from the 1983 season and a player summary/scouting report. Along with a player info insert noting that Marino first started playing quarterback in the 4th grade.

Dan Marino Sports Memorabilia 

Many different memorabilia items featuring Dan Marino that would make great additions to any collection can be purchased on sportsmemorabilia.com.

Dan Marino John Elway Jim Kelly signed NFL Football

A football autographed by the 3 hall of fame quarterbacks from the 1983 NFL Draft, Dan Marino John Elway, and Jim Kelly, is available for $1,844.99.

For $1,308.99, collectors can buy a Super Bowl XIX commemorative football signed by both Marino and Joe Montana.

Several different great autographed photos are available for collectors, varying in price depending on the product specifications.

Dan Marino Don Shula Bob Griese signed photo

Probably the best option among these is an 11-inch by 14-inch autographed photo of 3 Dolphins legends, Marino, Don Shula, and Bob Griese, selling for a very affordable $783.99. 

Bruno Breen

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