Topps has set the bar high with its latest release, the 2023-24 Topps Mercury Victor Wembanyama collection box. Valued at $8,000 each, this exclusive collection revolves entirely around the NBA’s top rookie, Victor Wembanyama. Inside each lavish box are eight cards, including two autographs, unique game-worn jersey pieces, and a selection of elusive chase cards that will leave collectors buzzing.
Standing as the flagship in the emerging Topps Mercury line, this release marks the beginning of a new era in premium trading cards. The set utilizes Topps’ special agreement for exclusive autographs with Wembanyama, merging it with jersey relics from the rookie’s debut season. Every card is enclosed in a magnetic case, meticulously wrapped in foil, underscoring the upscale appeal of the collection.
A prize catch in this assortment is a dual autograph card uniting Wembanyama with none other than basketball maestro LeBron James, both under exclusive autograph contracts with Fanatics. The set also boasts limited red parallels, restricted to only five copies, along with a peerless SuperFractor, amplifying the desirability of this collection among ardent collectors.
Furthermore, the assortment includes ten distinct autograph cards, some featuring personal notes from Wembanyama himself. The relic cards encapsulate pivotal moments from Wembanyama’s rookie campaign, commemorating milestones like his NBA debut and the game where he notched his 1,000th point.
The buzz surrounding the collection is heightened by the jaw-dropping $762,000 sum fetched by Wembanyama’s inaugural NBA jersey at auction last year, setting the stage for the fervor surrounding the game-worn relics showcased in this premium set.
Dual autograph pairings extend beyond LeBron James, integrating NBA luminaries such as David Robinson, Tony Parker, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd, and even football standout CJ Stroud, another exclusive under the Fanatics umbrella. With no more than ten copies of each dual autograph in circulation, their scarcity and allure are guaranteed.
The product houses 20 distinctive base cards spotlighting significant junctures from Wembanyama’s rookie season. To pay homage to his French heritage, French-printed short prints of the bases are limited to 45 copies each. Additionally, a super limited “Specimen” version, restricted to a mere 15 copies, pays tribute to his “Alien” moniker. All 20 base card parallels will be serialized with numbers capped at 99.
Beyond autographs and base cards, the collection also comprises ten innovative insert designs. Noteworthy inserts include “Cote to Coast,” a nod to the Cote d’Azur, 1971 Topps Chrome, and Wingspan, some of which will be available with autographed versions.
While Topps has previously introduced sets dedicated to single athletes like the Topps x J-Rod (Julio Rodriguez) set in 2023, the Wembanyama release will mark Topps’ most extensive single-athlete set rollout to date.
Enthusiasts can secure their boxes on Topps.com and select hobby shops, with an exclusive preview scheduled via Fanatics Live a day prior to the official October 9 launch date.
The Topps Mercury brand is poised to endure post-Wembanyama, with future plans to unveil similar premium single-athlete assortments tied to rookies’ inaugural professional seasons, ensuring collectors can anticipate deluxe releases for upcoming rising stars.
