Ex-NFLer Evan Mathis selling 1952 Mickey Mantle card valued at $3.2M

Former NFL guard Evan Mathis is parting ways with a prized Mickey Mantle baseball card that, once sold, is expected to set an auction record.

Mathis, who retired from the NFL following the 2016 season, is selling his 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA Mint 9 card through Heritage Auctions. The auction site estimates the card to be worth $3.5 million, which would set a record for the highest price ever paid for a baseball card at auction, according to the Associated Press.

The current record is $3.12 million, which someone paid two years ago for a Honus Wagner 1909 card.

"It's what I consider the new face of card collecting," Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions for Heritage, said. "For decades it's been the (Wagner card). For post-war (World War II) cards and the baby-boomer generation and beyond, it really does come down to this '52 Topps rookie Mickey Mantle card, which has kind of moved from just sports collecting to more of Americana.

"The fact that this one came out of the factory in strong condition, survived for many decades in that same condition, didn't get put in spokes or thrown away by mom is pretty miraculous."

Bidding on the card is currently at $1.8 million. The auction closes April 19 at 10 p.m. CT.

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