Topps has set the trading card world abuzz with the launch of their opulent 2023-24 Topps Mercury Victor Wembanyama collection box, a set dedicated entirely to the NBA’s exciting Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. Priced at a hefty $8,000 per box, this luxurious offering contains a total of eight cards, including two valuable autographs, pieces of game-worn jerseys, and a selection of rare chase cards that will surely set collectors’ hearts racing. This release marks the debut of the Topps Mercury line, promising a future of premium collectibles to come.
The collection capitalizes on Topps’ exclusive autograph agreement with the promising young basketball star, Victor Wembanyama, combining this privilege with relics from his rookie season in the NBA. Each card is elegantly enclosed in a magnetic case and wrapped in foil, emphasizing the high-end appeal of this special edition set.
Among the most sought-after cards in the collection is a dual autograph card featuring Wembanyama alongside basketball icon LeBron James, both boasting exclusive autograph deals with Fanatics. Additionally, the set includes red parallels, limited to just five copies, along with a unique one-of-a-kind SuperFractor, further enhancing the allure of this collection and ensuring its desirability among enthusiasts.
The set also showcases ten distinct autograph cards, some of which feature personal inscriptions from Wembanyama himself. The relic cards within the collection capture memorable moments from Wembanyama’s rookie season, such as his NBA debut and the game in which he reached the impressive milestone of scoring his 1,000th point.
Notably, Wembanyama’s debut NBA jersey garnered a staggering $762,000 at auction last year, foreshadowing the excitement and anticipation surrounding the inclusion of game-worn relics in this exclusive collection.
Furthermore, the collection offers other coveted dual autograph pairings, aligning Wembanyama with NBA legends like David Robinson, Tony Parker, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd, and even football sensation CJ Stroud, who is also under an exclusive deal with Fanatics. With no more than ten copies per dual autograph card, the rarity and value of these cards are guaranteed.
In addition to the autographs and relics, the set features 20 base cards that showcase memorable moments from Wembanyama’s rookie campaign. To pay homage to his French heritage, the base short prints are printed in French and limited to just 45 copies each. Moreover, a special “Specimen” super short print iteration, limited to only 15 copies, celebrates his unique “Alien” moniker. All 20 base cards will have serial numbers capped at 99 for the various parallels.
Apart from the autographs and base cards, the collection boasts ten distinctive insert designs. Standout inserts include “Cote to Coast,” a tribute to the Cote d’Azur, the 1971 Topps Chrome, and Wingspan, some of which will be available with autographs for an added layer of exclusivity.
While Topps has previously introduced sets focused on individual athletes, such as the Topps x J-Rod (Julio Rodriguez) set in 2023, the Wembanyama collection marks Topps’ most expansive single-athlete release to date, promising to reach a wider audience of collectors.
Collectors can anticipate the availability of these lavish boxes on Topps.com and select hobby shops, with a special debut exclusively through Fanatics Live one day before the official release date of October 9. The Topps Mercury series is set to continue beyond Wembanyama, with future single-athlete products tied to the inaugural professional seasons of emerging sports stars, ensuring a continuation of premium releases for avid collectors.
