Joey, your question is like asking "'stache, who would you rather boink, Jennifer Lawrence or Kate Upton?" There is no wrong answer as far as I'm concerned.
If a gun were held to my head, I'd say the Mantle. It's a tough choice for me, especially when you consider I'm a big time Bowman lover. But they'd have to cock the hammer back before I'd make my choice. Two outstanding cards. You can't go wrong either way.
Greg, 1953 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle says "hi".
I know you said arguably, so I'm making a friendly argument. As incredible as the '56 Topps Mantle is, the '53 Bowman Color is one of my top ten all-time favorite cards.
No need for print, or colorful boxes. Just the Mick, in all his glorious youth, with some 500 home runs yet to come. God, if I had a time machine, I'd go back, and watch him hit every one of those 536 bombs.