Mickey Mantle is one of the most iconic and beloved players in the history of Major League Baseball, and his rookie cards are highly sought after by collectors. If you're a Mickey Mantle fan or a sports card collector, you might be wondering how many Mickey Mantle rookie cards exist. Here is a comprehensive guide to the number of Mickey Mantle rookie cards that exist, including a discussion of the various types of rookie cards and their relative rarity.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is perhaps the most famous and valuable sports card of all time. This card is considered by many collectors to be the "holy grail" of sports cards. According to the PSA Population Report, there are approximately 6,000 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie cards in existence. However, it is important to note that this number includes all grades, so there are likely fewer high-grade examples of this card.
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle Rookie Card
The 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card is another highly sought after card. This card is considered by many collectors to be the true rookie card of Mickey Mantle, as it was released before the 1952 Topps card. According to the PSA Population Report, there are approximately 1,500 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie cards in existence.
Other Mickey Mantle Rookie Cards
In addition to the 1952 Topps and 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie cards, there are several other rookie cards of Mickey Mantle that are worth collecting. These include the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle "black and white" rookie card, the 1952 Berk Ross Mickey Mantle rookie card, and the 1952 Red Man Tobacco Mickey Mantle rookie card. The number of these cards in existence is likely much smaller than the 1952 Topps and 1951 Bowman cards, as they were issued in smaller quantities and are therefore more rare.
Final Thoughts
Mickey Mantle rookie cards are some of the most iconic and valuable sports cards in the hobby. The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is perhaps the most famous and valuable of all, with approximately 6,000 copies in existence. The 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card is also highly sought after, with approximately 1,500 copies in existence. Other Mickey Mantle rookie cards, including the 1951 Bowman "black and white" rookie card, the 1952 Berk Ross rookie card, and the 1952 Red Man Tobacco rookie card, are also worth collecting, but they are likely much rarer due to their smaller print runs.
Regardless of the specific card, any Mickey Mantle rookie card is a valuable addition to any sports card collection.