1953 Topps #244 Willie Mays
1953 Topps #244 Willie Mays
The premier high number and, with the Mantle, one of the set's two keys. Mays had been away on military service, making this a standout.
About Willie Mays
Signed by the New York Giants in 1950 off the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League, Willie Mays reached the majors in 1951 and was named NL Rookie of the Year. The peerless center fielder then lost most of 1952 and all of 1953 to U.S. Army service, returning in March 1954 — the very absence that makes this scarce high-number card, alongside the Mantle, one of the two keys to the 1953 Topps set. Over 22 seasons (1951-1973) with the New York and San Francisco Giants and finally the New York Mets, Mays hit .302 with 660 home runs, 3,283 hits, 1,903 RBI and 338 stolen bases. He was a 24-time All-Star, won NL MVP twice (1954 and 1965) and 12 consecutive Gold Gloves, and led the 1954 Giants to the World Series title — capped by "The Catch," his over-the-shoulder grab of Vic Wertz's drive in Game 1. Nicknamed "The Say Hey Kid" for his habit of greeting teammates with "Say hey," Mays was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979 on the first ballot with 94.7% of the vote.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Designations, variations & errors
High Number
Series 4 (#221-280). Printed in shorter supply and distributed late in the season, when retailers cut orders for the football months. The scarcest run in the set - holding #244 Willie Mays and the #258 Gilliam and #263 Podres rookies - and routinely 3-4x the price of low-number commons.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 2,365 | 1 | 1 | 46 | 120 | 201 | 337 | 1,527 | 132 |
| SGC | 1,217 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 25 | 24 | 90 | 826 | 240 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8). PSA counts are straight-graded.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1953 Topps Willie Mays card?
It is card #244 of the 1953 Topps Baseball set - one of the most beautiful sets ever made, with hand-painted color portraits numbered to 280 (274 cards issued). It pictures the New York Giants player.
Why is the 1953 Topps Willie Mays so valuable?
It is the premier high number (#221-280), the scarce run released late in the season, and one of the set's two keys alongside the Mantle. Mays had been away on military service, adding to its appeal.
Why is this card scarce?
It is in the 1953 Topps high-number series (#221-280), released late in the season in shorter supply - the scarcest run in the set, routinely 3-4 times the price of low-number commons.
Is the 1953 Topps Willie Mays valuable?
Value depends on grade and eye appeal. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.