Since the adoption of card grading in the early 1990s, many collectors have utilized numerical grades as a representation of condition (and therefore value) when appraising a card.
Generally, that makes sense, even when considering the subjectivity baked in to a third-party grader.
But when cards are graded “authentic,” all bets are off — as is the case with a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card at Heritage Auctions, which has already surpassed $35,000 (including buyer’s premium) with more than two weeks remaining in the bidding.
The reason for this is rather obvious when looking at the card, which upon first glance could be graded a PSA 6 or higher. A crease to the front is one of the few obvious blemishes … before examining the back of the card, which is a complete mess.
Heritage, which is selling the card, says in its lot description, “This iconic card appears to have been removed from an album in which it was no doubt adhered for decades allowing the front to remain virtually pack fresh.”
It’s clear bidders interested in the card are operating under the “buy the card not the grade" principal, as bidding already has cleared recent sales for PSA 1 examples — an obvious indication the eye appeal seen on the front of the card justifies a far higher price than recent sales of other authentic copies in tattered condition (or worse — like a punctured copy which fetched $16,000 last month).
The most extreme examples of collectors paying large premiums for 1952 Topps Mantle cards lacking a numerical grade has generally occurred with altered cards, which appear in incredible condition, but are labeled as altered by authenticators due to trimming or another tactic used to enhance the aesthetics of the card.
One such case is an example that cleared $80,000 in 2023, despite its labeling as altered, which appears near perfect from its high resolution scan.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.