1961 Topps Dice Game Willie Mays PSA EX 5

• Sold For: $156,000
• Year: 1961
• Auction: 2025 Fall
• Lot #: 1
• Auction Category: Postwar Baseball Cards (1948-present)

Over several decades of trading card history, in addition to releasing highly prized flagship issues, The Topps Company, Inc. sought to break new ground by introducing a variety of product lines to young collectors. Found in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials, these “test” issues were released on a national or regional basis to varying degrees of success. Once an obscure footnote in hobby history, these extremely limited sets found an enthusiastic new audience with the hobby’s collecting “boom” in recent decades. While Topps released several dozen “test” products through traditional means at storefronts or other retailers, a select few never reached the public at all.

Enter the 1961 Topps Dice Game set, an 18-card release featuring an even split of star players from each league. The black-and-white issue features engaging action poses on a standard-sized cardboard format. The black text backs present a variety of game scenarios when certain dice combinations are rolled. Absent are copyright and trademark information, lending credence to the notion that the cards were distributed informally. As such, any card from this mysterious issue is extremely rare.

Graded EX 5 by PSA. Huggins & Scott Auctions proudly presents the offered 1961 Topps Dice Game example of San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer Willie Mays. With an image so sweet it took a decade to complete, this roaring pose of the National League slugger was also used in the 1960 Topps and 1969 Topps Deckle Edge sets. The population data from PSA and SGC gives a clear picture of how difficult it is to find any card from this set. PSA Population Data: 25 total graded from the set with 3 total Mays (one PSA EX-MT 6, the offered PSA EX 5, one PSA GOOD 2). SGC Population Data: 10 total graded from the set with one SGC/VG-EX+ 4.5 Mays. This full-body pose of the 600 Home Run Club member is accurately centered with evenly touched corners, crisp off-white edges, and perfectly focused image registration. The reverse is problem-free. With a total population of 4 and legions of “Say Hey” die-hards the world over, this near impossible Willie Mays is truly a “once in a collecting lifetime” opportunity!    

This blockbuster hails from the estate of Dr. Samuel Berger, an advanced Willie Mays collector of several decades. Mr. Berger traveled the country seeking the most obscure and rare Mays material and became a close friend of the legend. Obtained by Berger in 2000, this 1961 Topps Dice Game Mays hasn’t seen the light of day since purchase and is available for the first time!