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CSG awards high grade to another beautiful 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card
The recent sale of a record-setting 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card was expected to lead to the emergence of more high-grade examples of the most iconic sports card in the hobby.
Another beautiful example has surfaced at Certified Sports Guaranty, which has graded a CSG 8 version of the card valued at more than $2 million. It is the most valuable card CSG has certified since it launched in early 2021.
In late July, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded SGC 9.5 sold for $12.6 million at Heritage Auctions, setting an all-time sports card and memorabilia record. Only three ’52 Mantles have received a grade of 10.
Of the 2,000 1952 Mantle cards in existence, less than 20 have been graded higher than 8.
“It was an honor to authenticate and grade what is one of the most valuable cards in the hobby,” said CSG Vice President Andy Broome said. “This resounding affirmation from the collecting world follows CSG's monumental efforts to quickly become one of the market's leading third-party authentication, grading and encapsulation services. We look forward to seeing more cards of this caliber.”
CSG also graded another ’52 Mantle from the same submitter that received a grade of CSG 4.5, giving it a value of about $100,000 at auction.
CSG has distinguished between the two cards with designations of Type 1 and Type 2 based on minor differences in the printing of the card, including Mantle’s signature.
Broome further explains the Type 1 and Type 2 certifications in this video.
“This graded a near-mint 8. That is on a scale of 1-10, but when you are talking 1952 Topps Mantle, 8 is a very high grade,” Broome said. “What impressed me the most was the surface of this card. Seeing the card out of the holder, the surface was near flawless, the color is exceptional. It is a piece of art, it’s a beautiful card to look at.
“This 52 Topps Mantle is the nicest I have ever had the honor of grading. The surface is just flawless and all original. I can’t state enough how beautiful this card is. For CSG to have the opportunity to grade such a beautiful card, it is an honor and privilege.”
Also See: Ken Kendrick's $100 million collection
CSG, the fastest third-party grading service to certify more than $1 million cards, has graded some more of the hobby’s most valuable cards, including:
• Multiple high-grade examples of the 1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan rookie card.
• A 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card graded CSG 8 and valued at more than $100,000.
• A 2003-04 Topps Chrome Refractor #111 LeBron James graded CSG Gem Mint 10 that realized $98,100 in a March 2021 flash auction through PWCC
• A 1922 Romeo and Julieta Cigars Jose Mendez graded CSG 2.5 that sold for $19,470 at a Hake’s sale in March 2022.
• A 1977 Futbol #11 Diego Maradona graded CSG 4.
Jeff Owens is the editor of SCD.
