The 1962 Topps baseball card set was the 21st series issued by Topps and is considered one of the most iconic sets in the history of baseball cards. With 712 total cards issued, the ’62 Topps set featured many of the game’s biggest stars and future Hall of Famers during a pivotal time for Major League Baseball. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most noteworthy cards from this classic vintage release.
Perhaps the most famous card from the ’62 set is the Mickey Mantle card. Often referred to as the “Mantle PSA 10” due to its perfect gem mint condition grading, this card of the Yankees legend has become the most valuable baseball card of all-time, with PSA 10 examples selling for over $2 million. The photo shows Mantle swinging and captures his effortless power and athleticism that made him one of the game’s true icons.
Another star Yankee featured is Roger Maris, coming off his historic 61 home run season in ’61 to break Babe Ruth’s single season record. The card highlights Maris’ accomplishment with a photo of him taking a big swing. This was also the final season Maris would play in pinstripes before being traded to the Cardinals.
Willie Mays’ ’62 Topps card is also highly coveted by collectors. The photo has “The Say Hey Kid” tracking a deep fly ball and showcases his elite defensive skills. As one of the game’s most charismatic players, Mays’ card remains a fan favorite to this day.
Two all-time pitching greats are also spotlighted, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale of the Dodgers. Koufax’s card features an over-the-shoulder view of the lefty firing a pitch, foreshadowing his dominance later in the decade. Meanwhile, Drysdale’s card captures the intimidating 6’6 right-hander in his windup.
Rookies featured in the ’62 set include future Hall of Famers like Tony Oliva, who took home AL Rookie of the Year honors in ’64 with the Twins. His card shows Oliva crouched in the batter’s box, hinting at the prolific hitter he would become. Another rookie card belonging to Hank Aaron also appears, before he went on to break Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record.
The ’62 Topps set also included the final cards for several legends wrapping up their careers. The Stan Musial card depicts “Stan the Man” of the Cardinals in the on deck circle in what would be his last MLB season. The Ted Williams card is equally iconic, with a posed shot of the Splendid Splinter in a Red Sox uniform in the final year before his retirement.
Perhaps the most visually striking card is the vibrant Roberto Clemente card. Topps captured the Pirates’ star in the middle of his distinctive follow through swing, with his bright yellow batting helmet popping off the classic blue, red, and white color scheme. Clemente would go on to become the first Latin American player inducted in the Hall of Fame.
Some other notable rookie cards included future 300-game winner Don Sutton’s Dodgers card and Hall of Famer Lou Brock’s first Cardinals issue. Topps also included cards for all expansion teams added in 1961-1962 like the New York Mets, Houston Colt .45s, and Los Angeles Angels. This provided a complete snapshot of the MLB landscape at the time.
In terms of condition, PSA 10 examples of stars like Mantle, Mays, Maris, and Clemente routinely sell for five-figure sums. But there is value to be found in lower graded copies as well. The ’62 Topps set is one of the most historic releases that documented the transition from the golden age into the modern era. For both nostalgia and investment potential, the cards remain a treasure trove for any collector.
