1962 was a landmark year for Topps baseball cards as it was the first year the company produced cards featuring color photos on the front. Previously, Topps cards only featured artwork or black and white photos. This change helped propel Topps to even greater heights in the burgeoning baseball card market throughout the rest of the 1960s.
The 1962 Topps set includes 660 total cards and is one of the most iconic and coveted issues in the hobby. The vibrant color photographs captured the excitement of Major League Baseball in the midst of some great rivalries and careers. Some notable rookies included in the set are Bill Mazeroski, Dick Radatz, Bill Singer, and Dick Stuart. Stars of the era like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax grace the cards as well.
While not as rare or expensive as some earlier vintage sets from the 1950s, 1962 Topps cards remain a highly desirable collectible over 60 years later. Here’s an overview of some of the standout cards available for sale from the iconic 1962 Topps baseball issue:
Mickey Mantle (#7): The Mick’s powerful right-handed swing is captured perfectly on this card. He was still in his prime in 1962 and won the MVP award that season. High grade copies in PSA/BGS slabs regularly sell for $1,000-$2,000.
Willie Mays (#250): The Say Hey Kid patrolling center field at Candlestick Park is depicted here. Mays was arguably the best all-around player of the 1960s. Gem mint 10 PSA-graded versions can fetch $3,000-$5,000.
Hank Aaron (#413): Before breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record, Aaron was already a perennial All-Star and offensive force for the Milwaukee Braves. Well-preserved copies sell for $800-$1,500.
Sandy Koufax (#419): Koufax was already one of the game’s top left-handed pitchers but he was still a few years away from his legendary dominance in the latter half of the 1960s. Still a highly coveted card in the $500-800 range.
Nellie Fox (#490): The scrappy second baseman for the Chicago White Sox won the 1959 AL MVP award. His card has found increased popularity in recent years with hobby investors and surpassed $1,000 PSA 10 value.
Bill Mazeroski (#660): The 1960 World Series hero and slick-fielding Pirates second baseman is the last card in the set. Fresh off his Series-winning home run, his rookie card remains among the most iconic in the entire vintage hobby valued at $800-$1,200 in high grade.
In addition to elite star rookies and veterans, there is abundant value throughout the set in today’s market. Other $100+ cards include Al Kaline, Felipe Alou, Bob Gibson, Phil Rizzuto, Harvey Kuenn, Luis Aparicio, and Roberto Clemente. Even lesser known commons can sell for $20 or more if graded and preserved well.
Supplies of high grade 1962 Topps are slowly diminishing over time as more cards enter permanent collections or get played with and damaged. In the extremely unlikely event that an absolute pristine Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays gem mint PSA 10 specimen were to become available, it could conceivably achieve a five-figure price tag. Most 1961 and ’62 Topps high-numbers are not overly expensive compared to flagship 1958-1960 issues, making them an affordable choice for completionists or investors.
Whether you’re a vintage baseball card collector looking to add some iconic pieces to your collection or a savvy investor surveying the vintage landscape, 1962 Topps cards remain a staple of the hobby primed for long-term appreciation. Their combination of affordability compared to earlier issues and iconic photographs make them an always exciting find in the collecting world some 60 years later.
