(LOT 66)
1969 Topps #500 Mickey Mantle "Yellow Letters" PSA 9 MINT - Only 2 Example Graded Higher!
Mickey Mantle personified the acceleration of the cardboard industry in the 1980s, and ever since, every cardboard representation of him is taken very seriously, especially when it stands as a high-grade rarity. Such is the case for this "scarce for the grade" PSA Mint 9 "Yellow Letters" offering that has only been bested by a meager two "Gem Mint 10" specimen! Indeed, that is correct because of the 8,700+ PSA encapsulated "Yellow Letter" examples, only two copies have managed to receive the perfect technical assessment. The "Mick's" classic left-handed batting pose is virtually pristine, portraying superb contrast and crystal clear clarity. Normally for this subject, even high-grade issues are somewhat off-center, but this immaculate offering's central image depicts near-perfect centering, only reflecting the slightest hint of favoritism towards the right edge.

Even more impressive is the fact that the iconic illustration atypically reveals virtually no "tilt", with the images for most of these 1969 Mantle subjects' portraying an excessive tilt towards the right or left edges. Pinpoint corners, razor sharp edging, flawless obverse/reverse side surfaces and vivid typography are the final intricacies that have earned this card its rightful assessment. A myriad of Mickey Mantle's high-grade subjects are currently achieving world-record prices, a bona fide notion that should more than encourage the sophisticated collector to seize this seldom surfacing "Mint 9" memento before its pricing points continue soaring to an unattainable level!

MIN BID $4,000
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