CGC Certifies Error Card of NFL Legend Joe Montana

CGC Cards™ experts are often entrusted to certify and grade some of the rarest and most valuable sports cards in the hobby. Along with submissions of some of the most sought-after cards in the market today, CGC Cards also receives unique submissions that are possibly one-of-a-kind, like this recent error card from legendary NFL quarterback Joe Montana.

Recently, a collector submitted a 1995 Fleer Aerial Attack #3 Joe Montana from the tail end of the QB's astounding career. The card was certified as authentic, earning a grade of CGC 8.5 and pedigreed to the Jackson Collection. The submission also earned a designation of "Wrong Foil Text," which is what sets this example apart from the rest.

Click images to enlarge.

Although most football fans think of Montana from his Super Bowl-winning days with the San Francisco 49ers, he spent his final two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Aerial Attack insert shows an image of "Joe Cool" in a white Chiefs jersey about to throw a pass layered over a multi-colored foil background that replicates the shape of a football and its laces. However, there are several glaring issues with the front of the card. The logos are all upside down and the wrong name adorns the front of the card. Ironically, it has the name of his former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Rice instead of Montana.

Many consider Rice to be the greatest wide receiver of all time. Montana and Rice won four Super Bowls together and each are considered icons of their sport. Seeing the two NFL legends collide accidentally on an error card is sure to turn heads.

The back of the card looks normal, with everything right side up, including the correct name, card number and short bio referencing his most recent season in Kansas City. While a normal ungraded 1995 Fleer Aerial Attack #3 is only worth a few dollars, a highly graded version can be worth three figures. This error version of the card could be worth much more, since certain collectors tend to value error cards for their rarity and design quirks.

The CGC Cards Population Report contains numerous sports cards with errors. Some are unique and some have become part of hobby lore, like the infamous 1989 Fleer #616 Bill Ripken - Obscenity on Bat card.

Upon first release of the 1989 Fleer set, the company didn't realize that the #616 Bill Ripken card included obscene language on the bottom of the player's bat. The cards were recalled and reissued with the obscenity scribbled out and blacked out. Each version of the card is now part of sports card history, with the 2024 Topps Series 2 set paying tribute to the Ripken obscenity card with a special short print run of Baltimore Orioles rookie Jackson Holliday posing in a similar fashion but with a more lighthearted message on his bat knob.

During his 16-year NFL career, Montana established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game. After leading Notre Dame to a national championship, Montana was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He would go on to star in four Super Bowls, winning the Lombardi Trophy in all four championship games. Montana is an 8-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL MVP, three-time Super Bowl MVP and much more. He was named the AP Athlete of the Year twice and was named to the 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Related Links

• CGC Cards Registry: Football Player Sets - Joe Montana
• Joe Montana Rookie Card Market Guide