Unfortunately, much of the attention (and money) of less 'focused' collectors goes into cards like the 1952 Mantle: great but not rare. Truly rare cards are all too often truly obscure cards as well. It may be a hell of a lot easier to find a 1952 Topps Mantle than a dice game, but it is also a hell of a lot easier to find willing buyers for it.
It also seems that once a card achieves a certain level of notoriety, its price is not determined the same as the rest of the cards out there, by basic collector demand and supply. It becomes iconic and takes on a life of its own as a pop culture icon. The line about guys displaying their Mantle cards next to their art is telling in that regard.
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