One of 31 PSA 8 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards sold at auction Sunday evening for a record-breaking price of $486,100.
Pre War Card Collector Auctions offered the well-centered example, the fourth to be sold at auction this year. There was no immediate word on the identity of the winning bidder.
During this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention, Goldin Auctions had set the previous record price for the grade with another top end example bringing $400,950. That same week, Heritage Auctions sold an 8 for $309,613. Earlier this month, Mile High Card Company sold one for $309,613.
Just 11 1952 Mantle cards have been rated higher than an 8 by PSA. SGC has graded four at that level with three higher.
The card has been a good investment for those who have owned one. Just 3 ½ years ago, a 1952 Mantle sold for just over $75,000. Until this year, few high-grade examples came to auction with most selling for $60,000-$80,000.
Within two hours of the opening, the card offered by PWCC had a high bid of over $300,000. Bidding continued for 10 days until the auction clock expired around 8:36 PM Sunday.
A few other ’52 Topps Mantles were available on eBay Sunday night with PSA 6 and 5 examples dangled in front of bidders.
PWCC also sold one of the hobby’s rarest pre-War cards Sunday night. A PSA 3 T206 Eddie Plank closed at $71,732.