Top 25 Most Valuable & Expensive Rookie Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards

Welcome to the ultimate guide on Rookie Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards ! If you’re a sports memorabilia enthusiast or a baseball card collector, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore the top 28 most valuable and expensive Mickey Mantle rookie baseball cards, diving deep into their estimated PSA grades, detailed descriptions, key features, market values, historical sales, availability, and much more.

Mickey Mantle, one of baseball’s greatest legends, has left an indelible mark on the sport and the world of sports collectibles. His rookie cards are among the most sought-after and valuable in the hobby. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to understand the significance and value of these iconic cards.

Let’s begin our journey through the world of Mickey Mantle rookie baseball cards!

1. 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle Rookie Card #253

The 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle Rookie Card #253 is widely considered the holy grail of baseball card collecting. This card features a young Mickey Mantle in his rookie season with the New York Yankees.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/16″ x 3-1/8″
• Front: Color portrait of Mantle in his Yankees cap
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• First official Mickey Mantle card
• Considered his true rookie card
• High-grade examples are extremely rare

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $5,000,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $750,000 – $1,000,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $200,000 – $300,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2018, a PSA 9 sold for $750,000
• In 2021, a PSA 9 sold for $5.2 million

Availability:

Extremely scarce in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available but still command premium prices.

2. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311

While not technically a rookie card, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 is often mistaken for one and is arguably the most famous baseball card ever produced.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-5/8″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Full-color portrait of Mantle with a yellow bat on his shoulder
• Back: Player bio, statistics, and a short quiz

Key Details:

• Part of the scarce high-number series
• Many were dumped into the ocean, increasing rarity
• Considered Mantle’s most iconic card

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $10,000,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $2,000,000 – $3,000,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $500,000 – $750,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2018, a PSA 9 sold for $2.88 million
• In 2022, a PSA 9.5 sold for $12.6 million

Availability:

Extremely rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more common but still highly sought after.

3. 1951 Wheaties Mickey Mantle Premium Photo

This unique item is not a traditional card but a premium photo offered by Wheaties cereal. It’s considered part of Mantle’s rookie year collectibles.

Card Description:

• Size: 5″ x 7″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle in his Yankees uniform
• Back: Blank

Key Details:

• Distributed through Wheaties cereal promotions
• Larger format than standard baseball cards
• Rare and often overlooked by collectors

Market Value:

• Excellent condition: $10,000 – $20,000
• Good condition: $5,000 – $10,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2019, a high-grade example sold for $18,000

Availability:

Very scarce. These photos were not as widely collected as traditional cards, making them hard to find today.

4. 1951 Berk Ross Mickey Mantle

The 1951 Berk Ross Mickey Mantle is another early card featuring the Yankee legend from his rookie season.

Card Description:

• Size: 2″ x 3″
• Front: Color portrait of Mantle in his Yankees uniform
• Back: Player bio and advertisement

Key Details:

• Lesser-known than Bowman and Topps cards
• Smaller print run than major brands
• Considered a “Hit Parade of Champions” card

Market Value:

• PSA 9 Mint: $100,000 – $150,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $50,000 – $75,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2020, a PSA 8 sold for $62,000

Availability:

Rare, especially in high grades. Less common than Bowman or Topps cards from the same era.

5. 1952 Tip Top Bread Mickey Mantle

This regional issue features Mantle early in his career and is highly prized by collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 2″ x 3″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle
• Back: Blank

Key Details:

• Distributed with Tip Top Bread products
• Regional issue limited to New York area
• Simple design with focus on photo

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $30,000 – $50,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $15,000 – $25,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 8 sold for $45,000

Availability:

Very scarce due to regional distribution and age. High-grade examples are extremely rare.

6. 1951 Game Time Mickey Mantle

This obscure issue is highly sought after by serious Mantle collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle
• Back: Player bio and game instructions

Key Details:

• Part of a small set used for a baseball game
• Limited distribution
• Often overlooked by casual collectors

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $20,000 – $30,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $10,000 – $15,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2019, a PSA 7 sold for $12,600

Availability:

Extremely rare. Few examples have survived, making this a tough find for collectors.

7. 1952 Star-Cal Decals Type 1 Mickey Mantle

This unique item is not a traditional card but a decal featuring Mantle early in his career.

Card Description:

• Size: Approximately 3″ x 5″
• Front: Full-color image of Mantle for application
• Back: Instructions for applying the decal

Key Details:

• Unusual format as a decal rather than a card
• Vibrant colors when well-preserved
• Often damaged due to nature of product

Market Value:

• Excellent condition: $5,000 – $10,000
• Good condition: $2,000 – $5,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2020, a high-grade example sold for $7,800

Availability:

Very rare, especially in good condition. Many were likely used as intended, reducing the number of surviving examples.

8. 1952 Num Num Mickey Mantle

This regional issue is highly prized by Mantle collectors for its rarity and unique design.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle with facsimile signature
• Back: Player bio and advertisement for Num Num snacks

Key Details:

• Distributed with Num Num snack products
• Limited to New England area
• Simple design with focus on photo

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $40,000 – $60,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $20,000 – $30,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 7 sold for $28,800

Availability:

Extremely scarce due to regional distribution and age. High-grade examples are very rare.

9. 1953 Topps Mickey Mantle #82

While not a rookie card, this early Mantle Topps issue is highly sought after by collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-5/8″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Painted portrait of Mantle in batting pose
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• First Topps card to feature Mantle’s statistics
• Iconic artwork by Gerry Dvorak
• Part of a landmark set in baseball card history

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $1,000,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $200,000 – $300,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $50,000 – $75,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 9 sold for $275,000

Availability:

More common than his earlier cards but still rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available.

10. 1951 Wheaties Mickey Mantle Premium Photo (Batting Pose)

Another premium photo from Wheaties, this one features Mantle in a batting pose.

Card Description:

• Size: 5″ x 7″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle in batting stance
• Back: Blank

Key Details:

• Different pose from the other Wheaties premium
• Part of Mantle’s rookie year collectibles
• Large format photo

Market Value:

• Excellent condition: $15,000 – $25,000
• Good condition: $7,500 – $15,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2020, a high-grade example sold for $22,800

Availability:

Very scarce. Like the other Wheaties premium, these were not as widely collected as traditional cards.

11. 1952 Berk Ross Mickey Mantle

This card is from Mantle’s second year but is still highly valued by collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 2″ x 3″
• Front: Color portrait of Mantle in his Yankees uniform
• Back: Player bio and advertisement

Key Details:

• Second year Berk Ross Mantle card
• Part of a small set of star players
• Often overlooked in favor of Topps and Bowman cards

Market Value:

• PSA 9 Mint: $75,000 – $100,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $30,000 – $50,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 8 sold for $42,000

Availability:

Rare, especially in high grades. Less common than major brand cards from the same year.

12. 1952 Red Man Tobacco Mickey Mantle #8

This tobacco card features Mantle early in his career and is highly sought after by collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 3-3/4″ x 4″
• Front: Color illustration of Mantle in action
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• Larger format than standard baseball cards
• Issued with Red Man Chewing Tobacco
• Often found with bottom tab intact or removed

Market Value:

• PSA 9 Mint: $30,000 – $50,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $15,000 – $25,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2020, a PSA 9 sold for $45,600

Availability:

Scarce, especially with the bottom tab intact. More common in lower grades.

13. 1953 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle #59

This beautiful color card is one of the most iconic early Mantle issues.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Color photograph of Mantle in batting pose
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• First Bowman color card of Mantle
• Considered one of the most beautiful baseball cards ever produced
• Part of a landmark set in card collecting history

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $750,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $150,000 – $200,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $30,000 – $50,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 9 sold for $186,000

Availability:

More common than his earlier cards but still rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available.

14. 1951 Wheaties Mickey Mantle Premium Photo (Fielding Pose)

A third variation of the Wheaties premium photos, this one shows Mantle in a fielding pose.

Card Description:

• Size: 5″ x 7″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle in fielding stance
• Back: Blank

Key Details:

• Rarest of the Wheaties premium photos
• Shows Mantle’s versatility as a player
• Large format photo

Market Value:

• Excellent condition: $20,000 – $30,000
• Good condition: $10,000 – $20,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a high-grade example sold for $26,400

Availability:

Extremely scarce. The rarest of the Wheaties premiums, making it a tough find for collectors.

15. 1952 Coca-Cola Playing Tips Mickey Mantle

This regional issue is highly prized by Mantle collectors for its rarity and association with Coca-Cola.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle with playing tip
• Back: Coca-Cola advertisement

Key Details:

• Distributed by Coca-Cola bottlers
• Limited to certain regions
• Offers a baseball tip from Mantle

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $50,000 – $75,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $25,000 – $40,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 7 sold for $36,000

Availability:

Very rare due to regional distribution and association with a consumable product. High-grade examples are extremely scarce.

16. 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle

This regional issue features Mantle and was distributed with hot dogs in the New York area.

Card Description:

• Size: 2″ x 3-1/4″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle
• Back: Player bio and Stahl-Meyer Franks advertisement

Key Details:

• Distributed with Stahl-Meyer hot dogs
• Limited to New York area
• Simple design with focus on photo

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $40,000 – $60,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $20,000 – $30,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 7 sold for $27,600

Availability:

Very scarce due to regional distribution and association with a perishable product. High-grade examples are extremely rare.

17. 1952 Wheaties Mickey Mantle Premium Photo

Another Wheaties premium photo, this one from Mantle’s second year.

Card Description:

• Size: 5″ x 7″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle in Yankees uniform
• Back: Blank

Key Details:

• Larger format than standard baseball cards
• Part of ongoing Wheaties promotion
• Shows Mantle’s growing popularity

Market Value:

• Excellent condition: $10,000 – $20,000
• Good condition: $5,000 – $10,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2020, a high-grade example sold for $16,800

Availability:

Scarce, but more common than the 1951 versions. Still challenging to find in high-grade condition.

18. 1953 Mothers Cookies Mickey Mantle

This regional issue is highly sought after by Mantle collectors for its rarity and unique design.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle
• Back: Player bio and Mothers Cookies advertisement

Key Details:

• Distributed with Mothers Cookies products
• Limited to West Coast distribution
• Simple design with focus on photo

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $30,000 – $50,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $15,000 – $25,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 7 sold for $22,800

Availability:

Very rare due to regional distribution and age. High-grade examples are extremely scarce.

19. 1952 Callahan Mickey Mantle

This card is part of a retrospective set produced in 1952 featuring Hall of Fame players.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle
• Back: Player bio and set information

Key Details:

• Part of a small set honoring baseball greats
• Produced in limited quantities
• Often overlooked by casual collectors

Market Value:

• PSA 9 Mint: $5,000 – $10,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $2,000 – $5,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2020, a PSA 9 sold for $7,800

Availability:

Scarce, but more available than some contemporary issues. High-grade examples are still challenging to find.

20. 1953 Glendale Meats Mickey Mantle

Another regional issue featuring Mantle, distributed with meat products.

Card Description:

• Size: 2″ x 3-1/4″
• Front: Black and white photo of Mantle
• Back: Player bio and Glendale Meats advertisement

Key Details:

• Distributed with Glendale Meats products
• Limited to certain regions
• Simple design with focus on photo

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $25,000 – $40,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $10,000 – $20,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 7 sold for $18,000

Availability:

Very rare due to regional distribution and association with a perishable product. High-grade examples are extremely scarce.

21. 1954 Dan-Dee Potato Chips Mickey Mantle

This regional issue is highly prized by Mantle collectors for its rarity and association with a popular snack food.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Color photo of Mantle in batting pose
• Back: Player bio and Dan-Dee Potato Chips advertisement

Key Details:

• Distributed with Dan-Dee Potato Chips
• Limited to certain regions
• Vibrant color photo

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $50,000 – $75,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $25,000 – $40,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 7 sold for $36,000

Availability:

Extremely rare due to regional distribution and association with a consumable product. High-grade examples are very scarce.

22. 1954 Wilson Franks Mickey Mantle

This regional issue features Mantle and was distributed with hot dogs in the Chicago area.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-3/8″ x 3-1/2″
• Front: Color photo of Mantle in batting pose
• Back: Player bio and Wilson Franks advertisement

Key Details:

• Distributed with Wilson Franks hot dogs
• Limited to Chicago area
• Vibrant color photo

Market Value:

• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $75,000 – $100,000
• PSA 7 Near Mint: $40,000 – $60,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 7 sold for $54,000

Availability:

Extremely scarce due to regional distribution and association with a perishable product. High-grade examples are very rare.

23. 1954 Red Heart Mickey Mantle

This dog food-issued card is known for its vibrant color and high-quality production.

Card Description:

• Size: 3-1/4″ x 3-1/2″
• Front: Color photo of Mantle in fielding pose
• Back: Player bio and Red Heart dog food advertisement

Key Details:

• Distributed with Red Heart dog food
• Unique square format
• Known for excellent color and print quality

Market Value:

• PSA 9 Mint: $40,000 – $60,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $15,000 – $25,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 9 sold for $52,800

Availability:

Scarce, but more available than some regional issues. High-grade examples are still challenging to find.

24. 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle #65

This Bowman issue features a classic portrait of Mantle and is highly sought after by collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Color portrait of Mantle
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• Part of Bowman’s last great set before being acquired by Topps
• Classic portrait design
• High-quality color printing

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $500,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $100,000 – $150,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $20,000 – $30,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 9 sold for $132,000

Availability:

More common than earlier Mantle cards but still rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available.

25. 1955 Bowman Mickey Mantle #202

The last Bowman card of Mantle before the company was acquired by Topps.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Color photo of Mantle in batting pose
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• Last Bowman card of Mantle
• Part of the iconic 1955 Bowman “TV set” design
• High-quality color photo

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $400,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $75,000 – $100,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $15,000 – $25,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 9 sold for $84,000

Availability:

More common than earlier Mantle cards but still rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available.

26. 1955 Topps Mickey Mantle #202

This classic Topps issue features a young Mantle and is highly prized by collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-5/8″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Color photo of Mantle with facsimile autograph
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• Part of the iconic 1955 Topps design
• Horizontal layout
• High-quality color photo

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $1,000,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $200,000 – $300,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $40,000 – $60,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 9 sold for $264,000

Availability:

More common than earlier Mantle cards but still rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available.

27. 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135

This card features Mantle during his Triple Crown season and is highly sought after by collectors.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-5/8″ x 3-3/4″
• Front: Color photo of Mantle batting with a smaller fielding photo
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• Features Mantle during his Triple Crown season
• Iconic dual-image design
• High-quality color printing

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $1,500,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $200,000 – $300,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $30,000 – $50,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2021, a PSA 10 sold for $1,680,000

Availability:

More common than earlier Mantle cards but still rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available.

28. 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle #95

This card features a classic portrait of Mantle and is the last card on our list.

Card Description:

• Size: 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″
• Front: Color portrait of Mantle
• Back: Player bio and statistics

Key Details:

• First Topps set to use real player photos consistently
• Classic portrait design
• High-quality color printing

Market Value:

• PSA 10 Gem Mint: $500,000+
• PSA 9 Mint: $50,000 – $75,000
• PSA 8 Near Mint-Mint: $10,000 – $15,000

Historical Sales:

• In 2022, a PSA 9 sold for $66,000

Availability:

More common than earlier Mantle cards but still rare in high grades. Lower grade examples are more readily available.

Conclusion

Mickey Mantle’s rookie and early career baseball cards represent some of the most valuable and sought-after collectibles in the sports memorabilia world. From his true rookie cards like the 1951 Bowman to later classics like the 1952 Topps, each card tells a part of the story of one of baseball’s greatest legends.

For collectors, these cards offer not just potential financial value, but a tangible connection to baseball history. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, understanding the nuances of these cards – their rarity, condition sensitivity, and historical significance – is crucial.

While the highest graded examples of these cards may be out of reach for many collectors, there are still opportunities to own a piece of baseball history. Lower graded cards, while less valuable, still offer the thrill of owning a Mickey Mantle card.

Remember, when collecting valuable cards like these, always buy from reputable sources and consider having them professionally graded. The world of Mickey Mantle rookie cards is fascinating and rewarding, offering a unique blend of sports history, art, and investment potential.

FAQs For Rookie Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards