Mickey Mantle is considered one of the greatest players in baseball history and his baseball cards are highly sought after by collectors. Whether you are looking to buy low-grade common Mantle cards to display in your collection or high-end gem mint specimens to hold as an investment, there is a wide variety of Mickey Mantle cards available for sale on the secondary market.
Some of the most commonly available and inexpensive Mantle cards include his 1953 Topps, 1954 Topps, and 1955 Topps rookie cards. These early Mantle cards were mass produced and distributed which led to many surviving in low grades over the decades. Complete sets of Mantle’s 1950s Topps cards in poor conditioned can often be found for under $100. Individual common cards from this period in Poor-Very Poor 1-4 condition typically sell in the $5-25 range.
For collectors looking for Mantle cards in higher grades to appreciate in value long term, they will pay a premium. Here are some estimated prices for Mantle’s classic rookie and early Topps cards in top grades:
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): $3,000-5,000
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 9): $7,000-10,000
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 10 Gem Mint): $25,000-35,000
1954 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): $2,000-3,500
1954 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 9): $4,000-7,000
1954 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 10): $15,000-25,000
1955 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): $1,500-2,500
1955 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 9): $3,000-5,000
1955 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 10): $12,000-18,000
As you can see, obtaining a high grade Mantle rookie or early card can cost thousands if not tens of thousands depending on the exact card and condition grade. But for serious collectors and investors, the potential is there for these premium gems to appreciate substantially given Mantle’s legendary status.
In addition to his 1950s Topps rookie cards, some other notable and expensive Mantle cards available include:
1961 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle: This is one of Mantle’s key vintage cards outside of Topps issues. High grades can reach $15,000-$25,000 range.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: As his first true “rookie” card released before his call up to the majors. Extremely rare in any grade. An NM-MT 8 has sold for over $100,000.
1968 Topps Mickey Mantle: His last card in a Yankee uniform. Also highly collectible. A PSA 9 just sold for $27,000.
Signed/Autographed Mantle Cards: Even basic signed examples from shows and personal appearances in the 1980s-90s can sell for thousands graded and authenticated.
Pre-Rookie Mickey Mantle: Shows him as a Yankee prospect but pre-major league. Includes 1951 Leaf, 1953 Bowman, etc. Extremely valuable in high grades.
For collectors seeking truly iconic and valuable Mantle items, game used bats, jerseys, gloves and other equipment also regularly sell at auction for tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Just this year a vintage 1950s Mickey Mantle glove was sold for a stunning $240,000 by Goldin Auctions.
The prices paid for Mickey Mantle cards truly run the gamut depending on the exact issue, year, condition, and extras like autographs. But for savvy collectors, even budget friendly well preserved commons from the 1950s continue to appreciate and can be enjoyed for decades as a fun way to commemorate one of sports’ all-time great players. The elite investment-grade Mantle gems will always be out of reach financially for most, but admiring their elite condition and significance from afar is part of the thrill of collecting.
