
Amani Oruwariye
2022 • Panini
Prizm Football • #101
The 1981 Topps Jim Allen #251 is a vintage NFL football card featuring the Detroit Lions player from the classic 1981 Topps release.
1981 • Topps
National Football League • Detroit Lions
Excellent
251
New
Shipping Calculated at Checkout
The 1981 Topps Jim Allen #251 football card captures a specific moment in NFL history featuring the Detroit Lions running back. As part of the iconic 1981 Topps set, this card represents one of the most widely recognized and distributed sports card releases of the early 1980s. The design is characterized by the brand's signature bright border and clean layout, which prioritized clear player identification and statistical data for collectors of the era. Jim Allen played for the Detroit Lions during this period, and this card serves as a tangible link to his tenure with the team. Collectors often seek out cards from this year to complete base sets or to focus on players who contributed to notable NFL seasons. For those building a collection of Detroit Lions memorabilia, this card provides an authentic piece of team history. It is also a valuable addition for investors and enthusiasts interested in the broader landscape of 1980s sports cards. The card's status within the Topps catalog ensures its relevance in discussions about the evolution of sports card design and production. Whether you are tracking the career of Jim Allen or curating a vintage football collection, the 1981 Topps Jim Allen #251 offers a straightforward and classic entry point into the hobby. The card's enduring presence in the market highlights the lasting appeal of vintage football cards from this definitive era.
2 days ago
We'll pre-fill the product details from this catalog entry, so your listing lands on this exact page. Just add photos of your copy, pick its condition, and set your price.
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Production details and format-specific attributes.
Material
Card Stock
Language
English
Compare prices, grades, photos, and shipping from verified sellers
SuperCatch
New
Excellent
See how many public collections currently include this card.
0 collectors have this card
Jim Allen's 1981 Topps card sits at the lower end of the NFL card market, consistent with role players and depth contributors from that era who never achieved star status. Cards from the 1981 Topps football set generally trade at modest levels across the board, and Allen's Detroit Lions tenure does not carry the collector premium associated with franchise legends or Pro Bowl-caliber players. Condition remains the primary value driver here, as even minor upgrades in grade can meaningfully shift positioning within this low-tier segment.
As a base card from the 1981 Topps football set, this issue carries no serial numbering, parallel distinction, or short-print designation — it was produced in mass quantities typical of the era's high-volume print runs. Population reports for graded copies of this specific card are expectedly thin, not due to scarcity but due to limited collector demand driving grading submissions. Raw copies vastly outnumber graded examples, and PSA or BGS slabs of this card represent a very small fraction of the existing supply.
Allen's career trajectory and post-playing profile offer limited catalysts for meaningful appreciation, as he does not benefit from Hall of Fame consideration, a celebrated legacy, or renewed pop-culture interest that can revive dormant cards. The single active listing signals a thin, illiquid market with minimal collector competition, which suppresses any near-term momentum. Unless a broader 1981 Topps set-registry trend or Detroit Lions nostalgia wave emerges, this card is best viewed as a low-priority hold rather than an active investment target.

2022 • Panini
Prizm Football • #101

2002 • Pacific
Heads Update • #59

2015 • Panini
Contenders • #RTS-AA

1995 • Fleer Ultra
Ultra • #4

1980 • Topps
#444