Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for $12.6 million breaks all records

A mint condition MLB legend Mickey Mantle baseball card sold for $12.6 million on Sunday, becoming the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold at auction.

The rare Mantle card, sold by Heritage Auctions, broke the previous record of $9.3 million set in May for the jersey worn by Diego Maradona in the national team, when he scored the controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup.

“Perfect centering, tracking and four sharp angles”described the auction house Heritage Auctions about the object. “That this Mickey Mantle card has remained in this condition for seventy years is a true miracle. We always knew this card would shatter records and expectations. But that doesn’t make this moment any less exciting. »

The sale also surpassed the $7.25 million of a century-old Honus Wagner baseball card recently sold in a private sale and the nearly $6.2 million paid for the heavyweight boxing belt that Mohamed recovered. Ali in the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle.

Mantle played all 18 seasons of his career with the Yankees, won seven World Series titles and was a three-time American League MVP. The 536-hitter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974, his first year of eligibility. Coat died in 1995.