Extremely Rare 1961 Topps Dice Game Mickey Mantle - The ONLY Graded Example!

Sold For:

$144,000

Year:

1961

Auction:

2018 Spring

Lot #:

14

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1960s Cards

Presented is an extremely rare 1961 Topps Dice Game card picturing Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle in a batting stance. This is the ONLY example ever graded by PSA or SGC! By far, this is one of the most elusive sets of all 1960s Topps test issues. This auction remarkably features four examples from this rare 1960s test issue, which represents only the second time we have offered even a single example in the last 15 years! This is one of the few Topps sets from the 1960s that make 1968 Topps 3Ds look common! This set was never actually issued to the public and just to provide an idea of exactly how rare the cards from this set are: Only seventeen examples have ever been graded by PSA and one by SGC. To put that in perspective, to date PSA has graded 1,531 examples of the 1952 Topps Mantle and thirty-four examples of the legendary T206 Honus Wagner. PSA has even graded a dozen signed 1952 Topps Mantle cards! This is the ONLY graded Dice Game Mantle and one of only two known to exist! The black-and-white images used to make these elusive cards are from press photos released by the player’s respective teams and are unique to this set. For those who have never seen a card from this set (which includes just about everybody), the back has various baseball plays that correspond with a specific number from the dice when rolled. Graded POOR 1 by PSA, the card is bright, crisp, and perfectly clean, both front and back, with four strong corners showing just light wear, and near-perfect centering. No creases or wrinkles. The reverse is perfectly clean with bold black print. Modestly graded due to an inconspicuous pinhole on the top border, otherwise the card displays an overall Excellent appearance. This is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire the key piece from one of Topps' most highly regarded and legendary test issues, which would be a very significant addition to even the most advanced Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees, or Topps-card collection! Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open).