This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/23/2018
Graded MINT 9 by PSA. One of the most desired cards ever produced that has yet to register a GEM MINT specimen on the PSA pop report, the 1958 Topps card of Mickey Mantle has found its way to PSA headquarters over 4,600 times and the featured collectible is one of only 28 to manage the impressive assessment of PSA 9. Unlike Mantle cards issued by Topps in the past, which were either artist's drawings or an on-field shot as in the '57 Topps series, the 1958 pasteboard of "The Commerce Comet" presented a close up portrait of the New York icon, surrounded by a lively pumpkin-orange backdrop that assured collectors of its presence in the wax pack just by catching a glimpse of one of the corners. Of course, an example as supreme as this MINT beauty boasts perfectly accurate registration that delivers the card’s text, image, and celebrated Yankees team logo in precise clarity. It's usually obvious to what PSA sees that differentiates a MINT card from a GEM MINT card, but not so here as each of the corners states a great case for GEM MINT status while the color and deep print on the clean front and back surfaces are completely above board. The centering is astute and perfectly frames the image of Americas youth, Mickey Mantle. The additional evidence that it was recently graded using standards that many collectors believe are more rigid than in the past also gives credence to the belief that this might be the single finest specimen in existence. Except for the iconic ‘52 and ‘53 Topps issues, this is Mantle’s toughest 1950s Topps card to find in a PSA MINT 9 holder and a cornerstone for assembling a set worthy of the top spot on the PSA Set Registry. Offered in all together spectacular and pleasing MINT condition, the featured card comes with my utmost of recommendations!