The first “modern” baseball card set, the 1952 Topps set featured the debut of rookies Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. The set was issued in two series, 1-310 and 311-407 (high numbers). The second series came out late in the season, and so many were left over that Topps actually chartered a boat and dumped many of them into the ocean. This has left the second series and, most importantly, the Mantle rookie, scarce and commanding a premium. The first card of the high numbered second series is Mickey Mantle’s rookie card, considered to be the most valuable post-war sportscard and one of the most sought after cards in the hobby. This 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle rookie card is a tough high number, slightly OC to the left, encapsulated and graded “70 EX+ 5.5” by SGC.