Notes on the file
Written from the record above. Every figure quoted here is one of the figures in the table; anything that could not be traced back to a verified sale was cut rather than corrected.
What this card is
The 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle is the earliest widely recognized mainstream card of Mantle and one of the most significant rookie cards in the hobby.
The set it came from
Mantle's card, numbered #253, appeared in a high-number series that saw lower print and distribution rates than earlier series, contributing to its scarcity in top condition today.
Why the grades diverge
Surviving examples span the full condition spectrum, from ungraded and Authentic designations to mid-grade PSA, SGC, and CSG holders; high-grade copies such as SGC 7 are rare and command outsized premiums, while low-grade and Authentic pieces remain accessible to a broader collector base.
- How rare is the 1951 Bowman Mantle in high grade?
- High-grade examples are scarce; a copy graded SGC 7 sold for $73,200 in February 2025, far above sales of lower-grade or ungraded copies.
- Which grading companies have certified this card?
- Sales data show examples graded by PSA, SGC, CSG, and BVG, with grades ranging from Authentic and low numeric grades up to SGC 7.