
This 1981 Topps football card features Gerald Small of the Miami Dolphins as card #243 in the classic annual series.
Gerald Small
1981 • Topps
National Football League • Miami Dolphins
$3.99
Excellent
243
New
Shipping Calculated at Checkout
Arrives in 4-6 daysEstimated delivery November 19, 2026 - November 21, 2026
30-day ReturnsMarket & Price History
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0.39 | Guide Estimate | -62.9% | ||
$5.49 | Guide Estimate | 0% | ||
$9.32 | Guide Estimate | 0% | ||
$41.96 | Guide Estimate | +0.1% | ||
$55.00 | Guide Estimate | -1.8% | ||
$17.00 | Guide Estimate | -34.6% | ||
$42.62 | Guide Estimate | -0.4% | ||
$26.00 | Guide Estimate | 0% | ||
- $0.39
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- -62.9%
- Price Details
- $5.49
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- 0%
- Price Details
- $9.32
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- 0%
- Price Details
- $41.96
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- +0.1%
- Price Details
- $55.00
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- -1.8%
- Price Details
- $17.00
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- -34.6%
- Price Details
- $42.62
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- -0.4%
- Price Details
- $26.00
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- 0%
- Price Details
30-day Price History
Raw / Ungraded
PriceCharting Price Guide · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Nov 2, 2026
Description
The 1981 Topps football card numbered 243 highlights Gerald Small during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins. As a staple of the 1981 Topps set, this card captures a specific moment in NFL history, offering collectors a tangible connection to the league's past. For enthusiasts of vintage sports memorabilia, cards from this era represent the foundational design language of the 1980s, characterized by bold typography and straightforward photography that prioritized player identity. Gerald Small's inclusion in this release provides insight into the depth of the Dolphins' roster during the early 1980s. Collectors often focus on team-specific sets to understand the composition of their favorite franchises year over year. This card serves as a distinct entry point for those researching player rosters or tracking the career paths of athletes who contributed to the team's legacy. The straightforward presentation allows the subject to stand out, making it a clean addition to any organized binder. Within the broader context of 1981 Topps releases, this card is part of a massive annual publication that defined the hobby for decades. The set remains a benchmark for consistency and accessibility, appealing to both novice collectors and seasoned investors looking to diversify their holdings with affordable, team-specific components. Building a complete set of 1981 Topps football cards requires gathering every entry, making individual cards like this one essential pieces of the puzzle. Whether you are targeting the Miami Dolphins or the entire league, this card offers a reliable and historically significant addition to your collection. By providing access to a wide array of vintage sports cards, the platform supports collectors in their quest to complete sets and explore the rich history of the NFL. This Gerald Small card is a verified part of the 1981 Topps catalog, ensuring authenticity and historical accuracy for every transaction.
11/1/26
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Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Print Details
Production details and format-specific attributes.
Material
Card Stock
Language
English
Available Offer for This Card (1)
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New
Excellent
$3.99
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SuperCatch Expert Analysis
Market Value Insight
This 1981 Topps card of Gerald Small sits at the lower end of the market value spectrum for Miami Dolphins players from this era, reflecting its status as a non-star base card. The absence of special attributes indicates it trades at a standard baseline price relative to the broader set, lacking the premiums associated with graded examples or rookie issues. Its current positioning suggests it is accessible to casual collectors focusing on team history rather than high-end investment.
Rarity Breakdown
As a standard base card from the 1981 Topps Football set, this item does not carry inherent scarcity mechanics such as serial numbering, short printing, or parallel variations. The supply is determined entirely by the original print run of the base set, which was mass-produced for the general hobby market. Consequently, there are no limited edition constraints or unique identifiers to restrict availability or drive scarcity-based demand.
Investment Outlook
Investment potential is limited by the card's position as a non-rookie, base-tier issue within a highly saturated market segment. Demand is primarily driven by niche collectors seeking specific team completions rather than broader appreciation mechanics. Without rookie card status or special parallels, the card is unlikely to experience significant value appreciation beyond general inflation trends.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this card a rookie card for Gerald Small?
No, this is not a rookie card. Gerald Small's rookie cards appeared in earlier releases, making this 1981 Topps entry a later career card from his time with the Miami Dolphins.
What year did Gerald Small play for the Miami Dolphins?
This card depicts Gerald Small during his tenure with the Miami Dolphins in 1981. He was a key defensive player for the team during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
How does this 1981 Topps card fit into vintage collecting?
This card is part of the massive 1981 Topps set, which is highly regarded for its consistency and historical documentation of the NFL. It is a standard piece for collectors completing team sets or year-specific collections.














