1952 Topps Baseball Pack Tops $60,000

Originally, it cost a shiny nickel. Now, it’s more — a lot more. An unopened 1952 Topps Baseball pack sold for $63,000 through Robert Edward Auctions on Sunday, August 16.

Robert Edward Auctions

Graded NM-MT PSA 8, it’s one of only two 1952 Topps five-Cent packs with that distinction. None are higher.

When the auction closed, the pack had received 37 bids, reaching a $52,500 hammer price. The final $63,000 takes the 20 percent buyer’s premium into account.

Robert Edward Auctions

Inside are five cards, although the particular series is not known. Of course, there’s also the gum — 5/8 of an ounce worth.

1952 Topps Baseball marks the first year for the line as a flagship set. Although the company’s first full baseball sets came in 1951, they were marketed more as a game. In 1952, things changed. The cards grew (note the “Giant Size” on the wrapper) and so did the checklist.

In July, 2018, a PSA 7 1952 Topps pack sold for $48,000 through Heritage Auctions.