A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card recently made headlines by selling for a record-breaking $12.6 million at an auction conducted by Heritage Auctions.
This sale established the card as the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold, surpassing the previous record held by Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey, which sold for $9.3 million.
The Mantle card, noted for its near-mint condition, received a grade of “Mint 9.5” from SGC, a highly respected grading service.
The card’s exceptional quality, with perfect centering, sharp corners, and rich color, contributed significantly to its high value.
This particular card was bought by Anthony Giordano, a New Jersey-based waste management entrepreneur, in 1991 for $50,000.
At the time, it was purchased from Alan Rosen, a well-known card dealer who described it as “the finest known example in the world”.
The auction generated significant interest, and by the time the sale concluded, the card had not only met but greatly exceeded pre-auction estimates, which had speculated it might fetch around $10 million.
The previous record for a sports card was set by another Mickey Mantle card, which sold for $5.2 million in 2021.
Mickey Mantle, a legendary New York Yankees player, had a stellar career, including three MVP awards and seven World Series titles. His enduring legacy, combined with the card’s pristine condition and historical significance, made it a highly coveted piece among collectors.