Roger Maris

Market outlook

Stable Outlook 8/10

Recent graded 7 sales flat at $800-875 range over past months; enduring popularity of Maris and Yankees nostalgia offsets abundant supply.

Next months. Stable with minor fluctuations; graded 7 likely $800-900

Long term. Rising; mid-to-high grades could appreciate 20-50% in 1-3 years with sustained MLB/Yankees interest

History

Roger Maris was a Major League Baseball right fielder best known for playing for the New York Yankees from 1960-1966. He achieved immortality by breaking Babe Ruth's single-season home run record in 1961 with 61 homers, surpassing Ruth's 60 set in 1927. This feat came amid controversy due to the expanded 162-game schedule versus Ruth's 154, earning Maris the nickname 'Asterisk Man' from some critics. The 1962 Topps #1 card captures him post-record as the flagship card of the set.

First released in 1962 by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. in the United States as part of the flagship 1962 Topps Baseball set, distributed in wax packs starting in late winter/early spring 1962.

• This is card #1, the lead card of the 1962 Topps set, a landmark design with large color player photos and smaller black-and-white images.
• Printed after Maris's record-breaking 1961 season, making it highly iconic.
• Maris won AL MVP in 1960 and 1961, adding to the card's prestige.

Rarity and print run

Tier

Common

Print run

High

First printed in

1962 Topps Baseball

Demand

High

Supply

High

• Base common from high-print run set
• High survival rate lowers ungraded scarcity
• High grades (graded 8+) scarce due to poor centering and border wear

Collector notes

Condition. Check for centering issues (common in 1962 Topps due to cutting), chipping or wear on the black borders, print defects on the small inset photo, corner wear, and edge roughness. Wax stains and gum stains are frequent.

Storage. Store in semi-rigid holders or top-loaders with UV-protective sleeves in a cool, dry environment away from sunlight; use card savers for ungraded copies and professional grading for high-value examples.

Authenticity. No reprints exist for this card; verify via graded/graded/graded population reports. Look for correct Topps copyright on back, accurate stats (e.g., 61 HR in 1961), and period-correct fonts. High-grade fakes are rare but check under blacklight for paper fluorescence.