1952 Mantle card sells for record-shattering $12.6M

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card set a record for the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold after going for $12.6 million, Heritage Auctions announced, according to Dan Hajducky of ESPN.

The card, which has a 9.5 grade from grader SGC, easily topped the $7.25-million mark set by a T206 Honus Wagner card earlier this month.

"This card is arguably the finest-condition example of the most iconic post-war card in the world," said Heritage Auctions director of sports auctions Chris Ivy. "That grade, plus the fact it has documented provenance from the most storied find in hobby history, puts this card in a category of its own."

Mantle won three MVP awards and seven World Series titles while playing with the New York Yankees between 1951-1968.