Topps is breaking barriers in the trading card world with the grand unveiling of the 2023-24 Topps Mercury Victor Wembanyama collection. This exclusive and high-end offering is entirely dedicated to the NBA’s bright star and Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. Priced at a whopping $8,000 per box, each luxurious package contains a total of eight cards, including two precious autographs, pieces of game-worn jerseys, and a variety of rare chase cards that will leave collectors in awe. This marks the inaugural release in the Topps Mercury line, hinting at more opulent collections to come in the future.
The collection is a testament to Topps’ special autograph agreement with Wembanyama, seamlessly blending in jersey relics from his rookie season to create a truly extraordinary card set. Every card is elegantly sealed in a magnetic case and further adorned with foil wrapping, enhancing the premium and exclusive feel of the collection.
A standout gem in the set is a dual autograph card featuring not only Wembanyama but also the iconic NBA legend, LeBron James, who also possesses an exclusive autograph deal with Fanatics. The collection also includes red parallels, limited to just five copies, and a unique one-of-a-kind SuperFractor, adding to the allure of this highly sought-after set for passionate collectors.
Diving deeper into the box of wonders, there are ten distinct autograph cards designed, some of which include personal inscriptions from the rising basketball superstar himself. The relic cards hold fragments from memorable moments of Wembanyama’s rookie season, such as his debut in the NBA and the game where he achieved the milestone of scoring his 1,000th point.
Notably, last year saw Wembanyama’s debut NBA jersey fetching an astonishing $762,000 at an auction, setting a high bar for the excitement surrounding the game-worn relics featured in this unique collection.
In addition to the star-studded dual autographs, the set boasts pairings of Wembanyama with NBA icons like David Robinson, Tony Parker, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd, and even football sensation CJ Stroud, another exclusive with Fanatics. With no more than ten copies of each dual autograph to be produced, the rarity and value of these cards are guaranteed.
Adding to the glamour are twenty base cards showcasing pivotal moments from Wembanyama’s rookie season. To pay homage to his French heritage, the base short prints are elegantly printed in French and are limited to just 45 copies each. Furthermore, a super rare “Specimen” version, limited to only 15 copies, celebrates his “Alien” moniker. The parallels of all twenty base cards will have serial numbers capped at 99, adding another layer of exclusivity.
Beyond the captivating autographs and base cards, the collection introduces ten unique insert designs. Among these, the notable 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 lucky collectors to cherish.
While Topps has previously launched single-athlete sets like the Topps x J-Rod (Julio Rodriguez) set in 2023, the Wembanyama release stands out as Topps’ most widely distributed single-athlete set yet.
Enthusiasts can get their hands on these lavish boxes through Topps.com and selected hobby shops, with an exclusive early release on Fanatics Live one day before the official launch on October 9.
The Topps Mercury series continues beyond Wembanyama, with plans to roll out similar high-end single-athlete products tied to rookies’ first professional seasons, promising collectors more extraordinary releases featuring future rising stars.
