Mickey Mantle is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time and his baseball cards from his impressive career are highly collectible. Let’s take a look at some of the key Mickey Mantle cards issued each year and interesting details about each:

1951 Topps #311 – Mantle’s rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable cards in the hobby. As a rookie for the New York Yankees, Mantle had a promising debut season and this card captured the start of what would become a Hall of Fame career. The card features a colorful action photo of Mantle swinging the bat. In gem mint condition, the 1951 Mantle rookie fetches well over $100,000 and even low-grade copies sell for thousands.

1952 Topps #90 – Mantle’s second year card shows him in a batting stance. Production on the 1952 set was low and high grade examples can sell for over $10,000. This was before Mantle’s breakout 1953 season so the card has somewhat lower profile than later issues.

1953 Topps #253 – Mantle’s ’53 campaign was his true arrival as a superstar, belting 38 home runs to win the AL home run title as a 21-year-old. This colorful card featuring Mantle holding a bat captures the excitement of his emergence. Mint condition copies have sold for over $50,000.

1954 Topps #398 – Topps issued Mantle’s first definitive “action” card, showing him swinging fiercely. He followed up his ’53 with an MVP season, hitting .300 with 27 home runs. Considered one of the most iconic Mantle cards, high grades have sold for over $75,000.

1955 Topps #382 – Mantle had another monster season, hitting .306 with 52 home runs and a league-leading 130 RBI to win his first of three consecutive MVP awards. This action card nicely highlights his dominance. Near-mint copies have sold for over $40,000.

1956 Topps #390 – Topps switched to a posed vertical format on Mantle’s 1956 issue. He had perhaps his best season, capturing the Triple Crown by leading the AL in batting average (.353), home runs (52), and RBI (130). Highly collectible and historically significant, flawless specimens have reached $80,000+.

1957 Topps #377 – Mantle dealt with injuries to struggle to a .257 average in ’57, but still bashed 25 home runs. His on-card photo shows off his Yankee pinstripes. Considered one of his more scarce issues in top condition, a PSA-graded mint copy sold for over $20,000.

1958 Topps #384 – Mantle rebounded in ’58 to hit .365 with 23 homers. This card features a great action pose from his swing follow-through. Near-mintgraded copies have sold for around $10,000, reflecting it as a key vintage issue.

1959 Topps #460 – Entering his prime, Mantle enjoyed maybe his finest season in ’59, belting 40 round-trippers and driving in 111 while batting .304, winning the AL triple crown. This colorful posed card captures the essence of his storied career. Pristine specimens can fetch over $30,000.

1960 Topps #470 – Mantle was slowed by knee issues but still produced a .275 season with 33 home runs in ’60. His card uses a similar vertical pose as 1956 Topps. Outstanding examples in high grades have crossed the $15,000 mark.

1961 Topps #479 – By ’61 Mantle posted his seventh 30-home run season despite injuries, bashing 32. This iconic card highlights his aggressive swing, the fan favorite action pose. Considered one of his most aesthetically pleasing issues, gem mint editions top $25,000.

1962 Topps #505 – At age 31 Mantle managed to put together one of his finest seasons yet, batting .321 with a career-high 54 home runs to capture another MVP award. His card is highly regarded for capturing his ascendant final prime years. Pristine copies exceed $50,000 valuation.

1963 Topps #548 – Late career Mantle still mashed, hitting .255 with 28 homers in ’63 despite constant knee woes. The vertical card format allows for a close-up portrait. Valued around $10,000 in top condition due its iconic subject matter.

1964 Topps #591 – Mantle’s swan song season saw him limited to just 103 games as chronic injuries took their toll. He batted .303 regardless. His final Topps regular issue card is highly collectible. Near-mint specimens approach $15,000 price tags.

1965 Topps #562 – An “action close-up” style photo highlights Mantle’s final Topps card issued after his legendary career concluded. A true one-of-a-kind for any collection despite low print runs. Gem examples have reached astonishing amounts upwards of $70,000 in recent sales.

As one can see, Mickey Mantle’s baseball cards issued throughout his storied career stand out as some of the most iconic, historically significant, and valuable in the entire hobby. Whether a rookie, MVP season standout, or waning years issue, each Mantle card captures a piece of baseball history. Top graded examples in phenomenal condition will fetch amounts befitting of documenting “The Commerce Comet’s” legendary playing tenure. Mantle’s cardboard collecting legacy has endured for over 60 years since his playing days ended.