Best Mickey Mantle card under $200?
 

I have a buddy getting married, and I wanted to get him a Mickey Mantle card for a gift. He doesn't collect cards per say...but is just a Yankee fan as a whole...and loves the history of the game. So, I know a Mantle card would be greatly appreciated, and well received. I want to stay on a budget of less than $200.

I understand, that this is subjective....but was looking for opinions on what you think the best Mantle card for less than $200 would be. (Whether it be eye appeal..or value..or whatever.) Definitely want something graded, so it would probably need to be somewhere in the 2-4 range.

My first thought, was a 56 Topps...but, within that price range....I'm not liking what I see in regards to condition.

Any/All opinions welcome.

Mantle
 

You cant go wrong with a nice, mid grade 1960 Topps example. Horizontal and colorful card looks great in a holder.

I like the 1967 and 1969 Mantles; a nice centered PSA 6 should be doable under $200 in each instance.

I'd suggest you just go to ebay and search "Mantle PSA". Go to where the prices start to be around $200 and see what you like. I did that and saw a wide variety of possibilities. If you don't mind if it's Mantle with someone else, you might consider the 1957 Mantle/Berra. Or the 1958 Mantle/Aaron "World Series Batting Foes". Both of those are iconic cards. You should be able to get a nice condition 1958 Mantle AS for that price, or a lower condition 1959 Mantle, or a higher condition later 60's card. You really just have to balance the condition against the price and decide which your friend would prefer and what is the best value. Once you decide on the specific card, then you can search other TPG company offerings on ebay and you may find something you feel is a real bargain for the grade.

I like the 1961 MVP in that price range

And what are you getting the Missus?

My wife is dealing with that... (So in other words...I've got not a clue) :D

1958 AS #487. Sweet card for cheap

Stole my thunder!

You can certainly get one in a PSA/SGC 7 slab for just about that. If he is not a collector, but would appreciate a Mick, get him a near mint example - this is the one.

I think a lower grade 1954 Bowman would be a solid option. He isn't a collector, so he probably doesn't care as much about condition. And, this is a great early image of Mantle.

Since you said he likes the history of the game I think a 1969 Mantle in mid grade would fit the bill since it has his final stats and mentions his retirement on the card.

Or the all star from the same year.

Many great choices. Almost any 60s Mantle can be obtained in a psa 5 or 6 for 200 bucks. Personally I would go for the 57t Mantle / Berra combo card if he's also a Yankee fan. If not open to a dual player I would get a 60 or 62.

I just bought an ungraded really nice 1959 Baseball Thrills mantle, a highlight card. I paid around fifty bucks for it. After reading about how much baseball cards have been trimmed I'm hoping that is not trimmed its in really nice shape.

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After giving it some thought, I'd go with the best 1956 Topps you can find for the price. It was the Mick's best year, the Yanks won the WS, and it's (in my opinion) one of his iconic cards.

The only other consideration might be if the guy was my age (46) or older. Then you maybe get a Mantle from the year he was born.

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1964 Topps Giants

Here's one for $50...and spend the other $150 on something for yourself :D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-TOPPS-G...cAAOSwzaJX3wfe

Not my card.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-TOPPS-G...cAAOSwzaJX3wfe

What Jason and Neal said. In my opinion, the 1958 Topps AS is one of the best Mantle cards, period. Be patient and find a perfectly centered 6 or 7.