I think I would wait for a better ball , because it seems that you are unsure what to do and that is not unusual in this hobby, we all have faced that situation before. I would look at my budget and see what I can afford and get the best ball possible when I can afford it even if it is a 10( that is the only grade Mantle I would even consider becaiuse they are available) . Mantle is neither rare or expensive, for most of his baseballs . But keep in mind that PSA and JSA are not infallible as this site and common knowledge have shown; however UDA will give you an "ironclad" item that may tone over time, but ANY autographed ball can tone over time no matter who or where you bought it from; so long term toning can be an issue based on many factors not just the vendor.
Also most Mantle balls are not great investments, in my opinion, because their prices have stabilized and there are plenty of authentic ones to choose from.
Good Luck
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