A high-quality PSA NM-MT 8 from a superior 1961 Topps set, with many stars offered as singles for this auction. Cards graded at this level display excellent overall images and detail quality, with minor factors holding them from the very highest scores. A faint print break on the image border and fisheye on his nameplate seem its sole issues and neither detracts from the impressive central image.

This near-perfect example captures an all-time season, as Maris and Mantle duked it in a race to 61 homers. Maris would take home his second straight MVP, break the single-season home run mark, and win his first of two titles for New York. Roger's serious-minded pursuit of baseball success made for a compelling story opposite The Mick's boyish appeal and the two remain linked in the hearts and minds of fans around the world. A iconic card in terrific shape from a special era.