Would You Rather? 1984 Topps John Elway vs. Dan Marino Rookie Cards
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The 1983 NFL Draft remains the gold standard for quarterback classes, producing six first-round signal-callers in what many consider the most transformative moment in the position's history. Three became first-ballot Hall of Famers: John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino, fundamentally reshaping how the passing game would evolve.
Two of these legends landed in the same 1984 Topps set, their rookie cards representing the following debate: Do you chase The Comeback Kid who avenged three Super Bowl losses with two late-career championships, or the pure passer who rewrote the record books?
Both cards capture these icons before household fame: Elway helmetless with tousled hair, Marino with his chinstrap hanging loose and an AFC Pro Bowl banner highlighting an immediate rookie impact. Each represents different paths to Canton and a tough choice for hobbyists looking to land just one golden arm.
The Case for John Elway #63
Elway's legacy centers on his uncanny knack for late-game heroics, with 35 fourth-quarter comebacks and 46 game-winning drives, according to Pro Football Reference. The Stanford product refused to play for Baltimore after being drafted first overall, forcing a trade to the Broncos where he'd spend 16 seasons terrorizing defenses with his rocket arm and surprising mobility.
The Duke of Denver reached five Super Bowls, finally breaking through with back-to-back championships following the '97 and '98 seasons. The perfect ending included Super Bowl MVP honors in his final game. His 51,475 passing yards and 300 touchdowns stood among the best when he retired, while nine Pro Bowl selections and the '87 league MVP award cemented his place among the greats.
Recent PSA 10 sales commanded significant premiums: $10,099 and $8,800, both in July. With only 192 PSA 10s in existence, Elway's gem mint population remains scarce. PSA 9s have sold for $450-$480 of late. Raw copies run $20-25, keeping this Hall of Famer accessible.
The Case for Dan Marino #123
Marino represented perfection in the pocket, an elite passer whose quick release and pinpoint accuracy revolutionized the role. His MVP sophomore season remains legendary with 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns, marks that stood for decades. He became the first quarterback to eclipse 5,000 passing yards, a feat not duplicated for 24 years.
Despite never winning a Super Bowl with Miami, Marino's statistical dominance is undeniable. When he retired in 1999, he held virtually every major passing record: 61,361 yards, 420 touchdowns, 4,967 completions. Like Elway, the Pittsburgh native was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times.
PSA 10 copies recently sold for $5,185 (Goldin) and $5,000 (eBay), with 419 gem mint issues graded—double Elway's population. PSA 9s range from $270-$400. Raw versions have been trading around $30-$45.
The Verdict
This comparison eliminates production variables since both cards come from the same set. The key differentiator lies in the PSA 10 market, where Elway commands a significant premium of roughly $4,900 based on recent sales, with less than half Marino's gem mint population partially driving the price gap.
The scarcity factor clearly favors Elway, whose limited PSA 10 population makes top-condition copies considerably tougher, but the premium also reflects the championship narrative. Elway's five Super Bowl appearances and two rings carry weight with collectors, while Marino's lone Super Bowl loss (despite throwing for 318 yards against Joe Montana's 49ers) unfairly diminishes his market value. Marino never quite had the supporting cast championship teams require.
The divide narrows dramatically in PSA 9 condition. Ultimately, this choice reflects your collecting philosophy: Elway for comeback mystique, population scarcity, and championship pedigree, or Marino for statistical dominance and relative value. Either way, you're securing a cornerstone rookie from a class of field commanders that changed football forever.
Scott Orgera is a sportswriter and statistician with more than three decades of experience. He has covered thousands of MLB and NFL games, along with most other major sports. A member of the BBWAA, his bylines appear in the Associated Press, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, FanGraphs, and Forbes, among others. He also co‑authored 976‑1313: How Sports Phone Launched Careers and Broke New Ground. Having worked card shows with his family in the 1980s, Scott has remained active in the hobby ever since and now owns a card and memorabilia shop just outside New York City.