STEEL CITY
C A R D S
Condition Breakdown
O.J. Simpson — 1972 Topps #160
Buffalo Bills · Hall of Fame · Vintage · Raw / Ungraded
SC OPINION · NM1972 TOPPSHALL OF FAMERAW / UNGRADED
STEEL CITY OPINION — Our own visual read of this raw, ungraded card — not a grade from PSA, BGS or SGC. In our opinion a Near Mint copy: excellent centering, a clean glossy surface and strong color, with light fiber fray at the corner tips from the issue’s rough-cut stock. Photos are the final authority.
Overview
The 1972 Topps #160 O.J. Simpson — the Hall of Famer’s third-year Topps card, issued a season before he became the first back to rush for 2,000 yards. This is a sharp-looking raw copy: near-perfect front centering, bright orange and yellow borders, and a clean, glossy surface. The only wear is light fiber fray at the corner tips — normal for 1972 Topps’ rough-cut stock. In our opinion a solid NM example.
Condition Assessment
CORNERS
| CORNER | FRONT | FRONT | BACK |
| Top Left | | 7 | 7 |
| Top Right | | 8 | 7 |
| Bottom Left | | 7 | 8 |
| Bottom Right | | 7.5 | 7 |
All four corners are square and intact — no rounding, no dings. What you see is light fiber fray at the tips, typical of 1972 Topps’ rough-cut stock. The back corners read about the same.
EDGES · SURFACE
| Edges | | 7 |
| Surface (front) | | 8 |
| Surface (back) | | 8 |
Edges show the rough factory cut common to the issue — fuzzy fibers, no chips or notches. Front surface is clean and glossy with strong color; only a couple of pinpoint print specks (in the “B” of BILLS and lower right). No creases or wrinkles visible in the photos. Back is clean, bright stock with a small factory print mark near ©T.C.G.
CENTERING & EYE APPEAL
| Centering (front, est.) | ~ 50/50 L-R · ~ 50/50 T-B | 9 |
| Centering (back, est.) | ~ 55/45 | 8 |
| Eye Appeal | Strong — bright, well-centered | 8 |
Centering is the standout — near-perfect on the front. The corner fray, not the cut, sets the opinion. Estimated by eye from straight-on photos.
Steel City Condition Opinion
OPINIONNM
Our visual opinion — not a professional grade. Raw / ungraded.
Opinion Scale Reference
| RANGE | LABEL | MEANING |
| 8–10 | NM-MT / GEM | Sharp, clean, minimal wear. |
| 7 | NM | ◀ This card — light corner fray, clean surface, great centering. |
| 6 | EX-MT | Light corner/edge wear, clean surface. |
| 5 | EX | Light, even wear — presentable. |
| 3–4 | VG / VG-EX | Moderate wear, rounded corners. |
| 1–2 | PR / GOOD | Heavy wear or damage. |
Why It Matters
O.J. Simpson — RB, Buffalo Bills
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1985
| RESUME | First NFL back to rush for 2,000 yards (2,003 in 1973) · 1973 NFL MVP · 4× rushing champion · 1968 Heisman Trophy |
| THE CARD | His third-year Topps card, from the 1972 low series — the issue just before his record-setting 1973 season. |
| LEGACY | One of the most productive running backs of the 1970s and a core Hall of Fame name for any vintage football collection. |
Key Features
| Set | 1972 Topps Football |
| Card # | 160 |
| Player / Team | O.J. Simpson · Buffalo Bills |
| Condition (opinion) | NM — raw / ungraded |
| Grading Report | None |
| Status | Raw / ungraded |
Buy With Confidence
The 1972 Topps #160 O.J. Simpson — sold raw and ungraded, with every flaw shown in the close-up photos, which are the final authority. Ships in a penny sleeve, top-loader and team bag from a smoke-free environment with fast dispatch. Questions and additional photos always welcome.
Steel City Cards · Condition opinion for reference — photos are the final authority.