BaseballKey Card
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311
AI confidence: high
Why this card matters
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 is widely regarded as the most iconic and valuable post-war baseball card ever produced. It is the centerpiece of the entire 1952 Topps set, which was Topps' first major flagship set. The card carries enormous cultural and financial significance, often serving as a benchmark for the entire hobby. High-grade copies have sold for record-breaking prices, including a PSA 9 that sold for $12.6 million in 2022, setting the all-time world record for a baseball card at auction.
Parallels & Print Runs
No known official parallels
N/A
The 1952 Topps set predates the era of parallel cards. All standard copies are printed on the same cardstock with no intentional variation in design beyond printing inconsistencies.
Notable Variants
- ◆ Back printing variations exist — some copies show lighter or darker ink on the back statistics
- ◆ Color saturation variations on the front portrait are common due to era printing inconsistencies
- ◆ Some copies exhibit a faint white dot or printing artifact near Mantle's face — not a formal variant but noted by collectors
- ◆ Cards from the high series (#311 is in the high number series, #311–407) were printed in smaller quantities than low series cards, adding to scarcity
Population Context
The 1952 Topps Mantle is one of the most heavily submitted cards in PSA history. As of recent data, PSA has graded thousands of copies but the vast majority grade between PSA 1 and PSA 4 due to the card's age, the high-series short print nature, and typical handling over 70+ years. PSA 5 and above copies are considered scarce. PSA 7 examples are genuinely rare and highly coveted. PSA 8 copies are extremely rare with only a handful known, and PSA 9 copies are legendary — only one is confirmed to exist at PSA. BGS grading also exists but PSA is the dominant registry for this card. Centering, print quality, and corner wear are the primary grade killers.
Collector Notes
As a high-number series card (#311–407), this card was distributed in fewer quantities than low-series cards and many were famously dumped into the ocean by Topps in the late 1950s, further limiting supply. Key things to look for: centering is almost always off on authentic examples — perfectly centered copies should be scrutinized carefully. The card back should show clean, readable statistics with consistent ink. Corners and edges are typically the first areas of wear. Trimming is a known concern — always seek PSA or BGS authenticated copies. The portrait image should show vivid reds and blues in Mantle's Yankees uniform. Fading or color shifting can indicate poor storage history. Authentication by a major grading company (PSA, BGS, SGC) is strongly recommended before any purchase.
PSA Population Report
Population data not yet available for this card.
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AI-generated information based on training data. Population data and values are estimates — verify with PSA, BGS, or recent eBay sold listings before making financial decisions.