Mickey Mantle’s baseball card just sold for a mind-blowing $12.6M!

Mickey Mantle’s Baseball Card Sells for a Record $12.6 Million

Baseball icon Mickey Mantle just added another milestone to his legendary legacy—this time at the auction house. A 1952 Mantle baseball card sold for an incredible $12.6 million in September 2022, setting a new benchmark in the world of sports collectibles.

The Holy Grail of Baseball Cards

This isn’t just any card. It’s a 1952 Topps Mantle in pristine condition—so flawless that Heritage Auctions called it “perfectly centered, sharp, and nearly untouched.” After more than 70 years, finding a card in this kind of condition is almost unheard of, making it a dream item for collectors and investors.

Why the Massive Price Tag?

It’s the perfect storm: a sports legend, a rare card, and near-mint condition. Mantle spent his entire career with the New York Yankees, winning 7 World Series titles and 3 AL MVP awards. He’s a symbol of baseball greatness, and this card captures that legacy.

Collectors are willing to pay top dollar for rare items in exceptional shape—and this card checks every box. That combination of rarity, preservation, and star power pushed the final sale to historic heights.

A New Chapter in Auction History

Before this sale, the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia was Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey, which sold for $9.3 million. Other big-ticket items include a Honus Wagner card ($7.25M) and Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” belt ($6.2M).

Mantle’s card held the spotlight—until Babe Ruth’s jersey shattered the record, selling for $24.1 million in August 2024. Even so, the $12.6M Mantle card remains one of the most iconic and unforgettable moments in sports memorabilia history.