Willie Mays 1952 Topps Card Value Guide
261
By Bob Villemure • Updated June 3, 2026
Quick-Stats Panel
The 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card remains a cornerstone in baseball card collecting, reflecting both the player's legendary status and the card's scarcity. Over the past 30–90 days, the market has seen a range of sales across various grades, indicating sustained interest and value.
Price Table
Below is a table summarizing the 30-day average sale prices for the 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card across different PSA and SGC grades:
| Grade | 30-Day Average Sale Price |
|---|
| PSA 10 | — |
| PSA 9 | $245,000.00 |
| PSA 8 | $101,589.60 |
| PSA 7 | $31,308.00 |
| PSA 6 | $15,034.80 |
| PSA 5 | $9,800.00 |
| PSA 4 | $7,105.00 |
| PSA 3 | $5,600.00 |
| PSA 2 | $3,626.00 |
| PSA 1 | $1,480.00 |
| SGC 10 | — |
| SGC 9 | — |
| SGC 8 | — |
| SGC 7 | — |
| SGC 6 | — |
| SGC 5 | — |
| SGC 4 | — |
| SGC 3 | — |
| SGC 2 | — |
| SGC 1 | — |
*Note: Data for SGC grades is not available in the provided sources.*
🛒 Top Buy It Now (Filtered):
12-Month Trend Summary
Over the past year, the 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card has exhibited a general upward trend in value, particularly in higher grades. Notably, a
PSA 8 graded card sold for $258,000 in Fall 2021 (
collectrea.com), and a
PSA 9 graded card was valued at $245,000 in 2022 (
psacard.com). This suggests a robust market demand and appreciation for well-preserved examples.
Most Valuable Cards & Key Investments
PSA 9 Graded Card:
With only nine examples graded at this level, a
PSA 9 card is exceedingly rare and has been valued at $245,000 (
psacard.com).
PSA 8 Graded Card:
A
PSA 8 card, with 60 examples graded, sold for $101,589.60 (
psacard.com), reflecting strong collector interest.
PSA 7 Graded Card:
A
PSA 7 card, with 102 examples graded, sold for $31,308.00 (
psacard.com), indicating a healthy market for mid-grade cards.
Population Report + Scarcity Commentary
The PSA population report indicates the following distribution for the 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card:
-
PSA 10 (Gem Mint):
1 card
-
PSA 9 (Mint):
9 cards
-
PSA 8 (NM-MT):
60 cards
-
PSA 7 (NM):
102 cards
-
PSA 6 (EX-MT):
191 cards
-
PSA 5 (EX):
345 cards
-
PSA 4 (VG-EX):
483 cards
-
PSA 3 (VG):
398 cards
-
PSA 2 (GOOD):
381 cards
-
PSA 1 (PR):
424 cards
The scarcity of higher-grade cards significantly impacts their value, with Gem Mint examples commanding premium prices due to their rarity.
Upcoming Competition or Player Bio
Willie Mays, known as "The Say Hey Kid," is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Over his 22-year career, he accumulated 660 home runs, 3,283 hits, and 12 Gold Glove Awards. Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Buy / Sell / Hold Outlook
Given the sustained demand and appreciation in value over the past year, the 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card remains a strong investment. Collectors should consider the card's condition and rarity when making purchasing decisions.
FAQs
What is the value of a PSA 8 graded 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card?
A PSA 8 graded card has been valued at $101,589.60.
How many PSA 9 graded 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays cards exist?
There are only nine PSA 9 graded cards.
What is the population of PSA 7 graded 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays cards?
There are 102 PSA 7 graded cards.
When was the last sale of a PSA 8 graded 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card?
The last sale was in Fall 2021 for $258,000.
What is the significance of the 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card in baseball card collecting?
It is considered one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards due to its rarity and Mays's legendary status.
Methodology & Ethics
Data sources —
Goldin Auctions closing prices, eBay Terapeak analytics, and PSA Auction Prices Realized.
Sampling window —
We analyse the latest 90 days of public sales. A grade appears in our tables only when at least
three verified transactions exist for that grade.
AI-grading disclaimer —
MarketSnap’s grade suggestions are algorithmic and should be verified by a professional grader before you buy,
sell, or submit a card.
Affiliate transparency —
When you click a link to an external marketplace we may earn a referral commission
at no extra cost to you. These partnerships never influence a card’s ranking
or our editorial commentary.
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