(LOT 179)
"61 in '61 or Bust" Mantle/Maris Jumbo Pin (Measures Approx. 3-1/2" in Diameter) – Possibly the Finest in the Hobby!
The incomparable 1961 home run race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris to surpass the "Sultan of Swat's" magical 60-homer mark will forever stand tall as one of our National Pastime's most captivating events. Ultimately, Roger Maris would be the one to belt number 61 on the last day of the season at Yankee Stadium; setting a new single season record that would last until the likes of McGuire, Sosa and Bonds would eventually surpass his mark in a steroid driven era. Many diehard fans and/or historians still point to the Maris 61 total as the "true" record, with any collectible from that historic season widely pursued by avid collectors.

One such heirloom is the extremely rare jumbo Mantle/Maris "61 in '61 or Bust" pinback measuring approximately 3-1/2" in diameter. Seldom-surfacing in the hobby, we have only seen a handful of these highly-coveted pins that were issued during the 1961 home-run race. A number of vendors/manufacturers issued various pins during that fabled season, yet none of them remotely compare to the paucity level of this remarkable offering. Incredibly, the front side emanates aesthetics consistent with its original issue date during the summer of 1961, when these two baseball legends relentlessly chased baseball history.

A snow-white surface includes the two classic Mantle and Maris portrait poses on opposite sides, with the bold black "61 in '61 OR BUST" caption affixed between each image. As final exclamation points, the circumference rim and verso pin clasp are completely intact, with only some negligible scattered rust depicted on the verso. Arguably the finest preserved example in the hobby, its combined desirability, scarcity level and "NM/MT" aesthetics place it as one of the most significant post-WWII pinbacks for any world-class enthusiast!

MIN BID $1,000
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