Topps is upping the ante in the trading card world with the launch of the 2023-24 Topps Mercury Victor Wembanyama collection, a deluxe product focused solely on the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. Priced at a hefty $8,000 per box, this collection is not for the faint of heart. Each box contains a total of eight cards, with two of them being coveted autographs, game-worn jersey pieces, and a selection of rare chase cards that will make any collector’s heart race with excitement.
This release marks the debut of the Topps Mercury line, promising a future series of high-end products to come. Leveraging their exclusive autograph deal with Wembanyama, Topps has integrated jersey relics from the rookie’s first season in the league, adding an extra layer of authenticity and uniqueness to each card. Sealed in a magnetic case and wrapped in foil, these cards exude luxury and prestige.
A standout card in the collection is the dual autograph featuring Wembanyama and the legendary LeBron James, both of whom have exclusive autograph deals with Fanatics. Limited to just five copies, the red parallels and the one-of-a-kind SuperFractor cards add to the exclusivity of this set, making it a must-have for serious collectors.
Furthermore, the collection boasts ten distinct autograph cards, some of which showcase personal inscriptions from Wembanyama himself. The relic cards included in the set capture memorable moments from Wembanyama’s rookie season, such as his NBA debut and the game where he reached the impressive milestone of scoring his 1,000th point.
With the buzz around Wembanyama reaching new heights, evidenced by the jaw-dropping $762,000 fetched by his debut NBA jersey at auction last year, the inclusion of game-worn relics in this collection is certain to attract significant attention from fans and collectors alike.
The set features additional dual autograph pairings, pairing Wembanyama with NBA icons like David Robinson, Tony Parker, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd, and even football star CJ Stroud. Limited to just ten copies each, these dual autograph cards ensure both rarity and value.
In addition to the autographs and relic cards, the collection includes 20 base cards highlighting standout moments from Wembanyama’s rookie season. Paying homage to his French heritage, the base short prints are printed in French and restricted to just 45 copies each. A special “Specimen” super short print version, limited to 15 copies, commemorates his “Alien” moniker. Parallels of all 20 base cards will be serialized with numbers capped at 99.
The set doesn’t stop there, introducing ten distinct insert designs. Noteworthy inserts include “Cote to Coast,” a tribute to the Cote d’Azur, 1971 Topps Chrome, and Wingspan, some of which will feature autographs, adding another layer of intrigue for collectors.
While Topps has ventured into single-athlete sets previously, such as the Topps x J-Rod (Julio Rodriguez) set in 2023, the Wembanyama release is set to be Topps’ most widespread single-athlete set yet, promising to capture the attention of collectors everywhere.
The boxes will be for sale on Topps.com and select hobby shops, with an exclusive debut through Fanatics Live one day ahead of the official release date on October 9. As Topps looks to the future, the Topps Mercury brand will continue with upcoming single-athlete products tied to the first professional seasons of new rising stars, guaranteeing more high-end releases to come for collectors to enjoy.
