There's plenty of rare coins which aren't popular either. That wasn't my point though. We're talking about blue chip items from cards and coins, not something that "nobody wants". In fact, there's not a gold coin in existence that "nobody wants".

I'm just pointing out what an over priced, over hyped, poor "value" the 52 Topps is. As someone pointed out earlier in the thread, the 51 Bowman is a much better card for your money and is actually his rookie card, unlike the 52 Topps.

again will be an argument what is 'blue chip' if more people willing to pay more for the card than the coin and they could of been purchased at the same price last year...then the 'blue chip' coin isn't worth as much as the card....but maybe in the future the coin is worth more than card..i see what you are saying but who knows the future

when everyone else is digging for gold, sell shovels.

It's sure managed to fool a lot of people for a long time.

Overhyped my ass. What's the definition of that anyway, pray tell? More like it is what it is, which is something that many find desirable and iconic, a standard bearer of their hobby for over three decades now. And will always be so.

And who are you to determine what's a "value" or "better" for another's money? I could buy a 52 Topps Mick today, and if I've gotten enjoyment and happiness for my money, that's "value" to me. It's also specious to pit his 51 against his 52 as if they're locked in some asinine competition. They are both fantastic baseball cards, and I'd venture the collector who likes one likes the other.

I'd start with all the hype declaring this his rookie card. Even people in this thread think it's his rookie. The 52 Mantle is riding on the wave of the 52 Topps set being iconic, not that the 52 Mantle itself is iconic.

It's funny how people get so emotionally wrapped up in other people's internet forum opinions. If you like the 52 Mantle, well good for you. Not everyone sees the same value in that.

It makes perfect sense to compare the two when half of the baseball card world thinks the 52 Topps is Mantle's rookie card. But, if we're just talking about random Mantle cards and not his rookie, heck, the 53 Bowman is a better card than the 52 Topps.

the 53b is a sweet ass card. all im saying.

ya'll please continue...

The 51 Mantle may be under appreciated but as others have mentioned the 52 topps is the most iconic card in the hobby, aside from the t206 wagner, and much more attainable. It's worth what it's worth because so many people are willing to spend that much to own one. I only wish I had bought a higher grade example when I had the chance.

How many Wagner cards are more rare than the t206, yet sell for less than a couple of percent of its value? The e90-1 throwing Wagner, for example, has a total PSA population of 12 and the t206 has a pop of 35. I don't think we will see many threads saying the t206 is all hype and some other card should sell for more, even one that was issued earlier and could be considered his rookie.

One thing you can set your watch to... Any thread about a 52 topps mantle will bring out at least one or two irrational "overrated" posts. Somehow it has managed to be overrated for some thirty odd years.

I can appreciate anyone's opinion but pardon me if I don't rush to trade my 311 for some coins anytime soon.

Mantle
 

I collect all Topps and Bowman sets, so I needed Mantle cards to complete sets. Since I like to collect hobby recognized variations with my sets, this unfortunately required 2 of the 52 Mantles.

I have some gold (not coins) as a diversification investment, but cards are just a hobby for me, albeit in some cases an expensive one.

I personally get a kick out of the debate about the value of the 52 Mantle card and how much some folks get so worked up about the rookie card thing. I do agree that it usually seems people who disparage the 52 Mantle card don't have it :)

Also agree that some of the Topps Mantle cards( not the 52) are among the rarest in the hobby, much more so than the T 206 Wagner. But they are from obscure sets with little recognition or following.

Putting the debate to one side, I do find it odd that SGC labels the 52T his rookie card, when clearly it is not.

Id rather have a PSA 1 graded authentic nicely centered mantle with non noticeable trimming and otherwise clear card or even have a small spot or two versus a destroyed super wrinkled PSA 1 card..

One thing for sure, people who own a 52 Mantle seem to have a deep emotional investment in it.

I rarely saw that level of emotional investment with coins. Those people generally didn't care what other people's opinions were.

Ok, so, debate aside, I'd take the card with vibrant color and creases over the dull, washed out card.

I'd still rather have a 51 Bowman though, and keep the change. :D

There have been a lot of things that have fooled a lot of people for a long time. Talking cards? OK, PSA 8 T206 Wagner – and it still does!!!. A card that should be labeled as "A" (Authentic).

If someone were to offer me a choice of a ’52 Topps Mantle (let’s just say a well centered EX card) or an equivalent amount of gold bullion, and told me that whatever I choose I had to hold it for 10 years, I would take the gold bullion in a heartbeat.

99.99% of the rest of the world would do the same. Those silly fools :D

Mantles are at record highs and gold has taken a tremendous beating the past couple of years, so that's probably a good choice.