1952 Topps Mickey Mantle

Card & Playing Highlights

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle isn’t just a baseball card, it’s the hobby’s crown jewel. Often referred to as the face of the modern collecting era, this card became the symbol of both Topps’ rise and Mantle’s ascent into baseball immortality. Although technically not his rookie, it’s the card that defined him, the era, and the industry.

The 1952 Topps set was revolutionary for its time, larger card size, vivid color portraits, facsimile signatures, and full player bios on the back. Mantle’s card, number 311, appeared in the elusive high-number series that was distributed late in the season. Poor sales led Topps to famously dump unsold cases into the Hudson River, turning surviving examples into legendary rarities.

Visually, the card’s bright Yankee blue background and youthful Mantle pose are instantly recognizable. High-grade copies are among the most coveted and valuable cards ever produced, with record sales routinely topping the seven-figure mark.

On the field, 1952 was Mantle’s breakout year, the moment the switch-hitting phenom began his journey toward becoming one of baseball’s most electrifying players. For collectors, the card captures not just an athlete, but an era: post-war optimism, the birth of television, and the golden age of baseball cards.

Explore everything here — historical details, grading insights, population data, and links to shop and notable recent sales.

Rarity Data

Graded copies: 2,800-3,000

Highest grade: 10

Premium grades: ~185 copies (7%) >= 6.5 (EX-MT+) are graded at or above a 6.5 (EX-MT+)