Post Cereal cards are not just breakfast memories. They are hidden treasures sitting in attics across America.
These cards were printed directly on cereal boxes in the early 1960s. Kids had to cut them out by hand. That is exactly why mint condition examples are so rare today.
If you collect vintage cards, this list is for you. We cover the 15 most valuable Post Cereal baseball cards, what they sold for, and why they keep climbing in price.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Post Cereal Baseball Cards
Post Cereal launched its first baseball card set in 1961. The company printed cards on the backs of boxes across ten cereal brands including Alpha Bits, Sugar Crisp, and Raisin Bran.
The 1961 set measured 2½” by 3½” and featured 200 different players, several of which are short-printed and very hard to find. Dean’s Cards Cards could be cut from boxes or ordered directly from Post on thin cardboard sheets.
Post released another 200-card set in 1962, and notably the Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris cards were inserted into the April 13, 1962 issue of Life magazine rather than printed on cereal boxes. LoveToKnow After 1963, Post stopped making baseball cards until a brief revival in 1979 and again in the 1990s and 2001.
15 Most Valuable Post Cereal Baseball Cards
1. 1962 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle/Roger Maris Panel (Life Magazine Insert)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #5 / #6 |
| Set | 1962 Post Cereal |
| Origin | Life Magazine Insert, April 13, 1962 |
| Condition Note | Thinner card stock, white borders |
The Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris cards were reproduced as a special two-card panel insert in the April 13, 1962 Life magazine issue. The magazine itself is a collector’s item because of its famous cover featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. LoveToKnow
This panel is among the rarest Post Cereal pieces in existence. Finding one in near-mint condition is extremely difficult.
Collectors prize this panel for both its baseball history and its connection to a pop culture moment. It checks every box for serious vintage collectors.
2. 1961 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle #4 (Hand Cut)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #4 |
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Type | Hand Cut from cereal box |
| PSA Population | Very low at high grades |
Mickey Mantle is the biggest name in vintage card collecting. His 1961 Post Cereal card is the crown jewel of the entire set.
The 1961 Post Cereal set was the second most expensive Mantle card in the Post lineup, with Mantle leading the league with 54 home runs that season. Noname Antiques
Hand-cut examples graded PSA 9 have sold for several thousand dollars. Clean cuts and sharp corners are almost impossible to find.
3. 1962 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle #5 (Hand Cut)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #5 |
| Set | 1962 Post Cereal |
| Type | Hand Cut |
| Grading Service | PSA |
The 1962 Mantle is equally sought after. Collectors hunting a Mantle in every Post set need this card.
Mantle finished his career with a .298 batting average, 536 home runs, and won three AL MVP awards. He led the Yankees to seven World Series titles. PSA
High-grade copies rarely hit the open market. When they do, bidding gets intense fast.
4. 1961 Post Cereal Ernie Banks #191
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #191 |
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Position | Shortstop / First Baseman |
| Notable Sale | ~$1,600 on eBay (2019) |
Ernie Banks played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He is one of the most beloved figures in baseball history.
Banks won the National League MVP award in the 1959 season, which is one reason a PSA 9 Ernie Banks #191 card from the 1961 Post Cereal set sold for nearly $1,600 in a 2019 eBay auction. Noname Antiques
His enduring popularity keeps demand strong. This card is hard to find in sharp condition.
5. 1962 Post Cereal Sandy Koufax #109
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #109 |
| Set | 1962 Post Cereal |
| Position | Pitcher |
| Notable Sale | $1,592 (October 2009) |
Sandy Koufax is the youngest Hall of Fame inductee in baseball history. That distinction alone drives collector demand.
Koufax pitched his entire 12-season career for the Dodgers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. A PSA 9 Sandy Koufax #109 Post Cereal card sold for $1,592 in an October 2009 auction by Mile High Card Company. Noname Antiques
Any high-grade Koufax card commands serious money. The 1962 Post version is no exception.
6. 1961 Post Cereal Roberto Clemente #132
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #132 |
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Position | Right Fielder |
| Notable Sale | $1,920 (Heritage Auctions, 2019) |
Roberto Clemente played 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.
A PSA 9 Roberto Clemente #132 card from the 1961 set sold for $1,010 in 2008, then $1,335 in 2009, and reached $1,920 in 2019 at Heritage Auctions. The trend is clearly upward. Noname Antiques
Clemente’s legacy is untouchable. His cards only gain value over time.
7. 1961 Post Cereal Harmon Killebrew #92
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #92 |
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Nickname | “The Killer” |
| Notable Sale | ~$1,000 on eBay (2018) |
Harmon Killebrew hit 573 career home runs, placing him in the top 12 all time. He won the AL MVP award in 1969.
Killebrew led the American League in home runs six times. A PSA 9 Harmon Killebrew #92 card from the 1961 set sold for nearly $1,000 in a 2018 eBay auction. Noname Antiques
Power hitters from the golden era always attract buyers. Killebrew is a consistent performer in the hobby.
8. 1961 Post Cereal Hank Aaron #107
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #107 |
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Position | Right Fielder |
| Notable Sale | $855 (eBay, 2016) |
Hank Aaron hit 755 career home runs over 23 seasons. He is one of the greatest players ever to play the game.
In a 2016 eBay auction, a PSA 9 Hank Aaron #107 card from the 1961 Post Cereal set sold for $855. It was sold by PWCC, the largest trading card seller on the platform. Noname Antiques
Aaron cards across all sets remain highly collectible. The Post Cereal version is a key vintage piece.
9. 1961 Post Cereal Willie Mays #145
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #145 |
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Team | San Francisco Giants |
| Status | Key short print |
Willie Mays is widely considered the greatest all-around player in baseball history. His 1961 Post card is a must-have.
Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Yogi Berra, and Hank Aaron are among the all-time greats featured in the 1961 Post Cereal set. The Cardboard Connection
High-grade Mays cards from this era are very scarce. Demand from both player collectors and set builders keeps prices strong.
10. 1963 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Set | 1963 Post Cereal |
| Total Cards in Set | 206 |
| Distribution | Tied to cereal popularity |
| Value Range | $400 to $500+ |
The 1963 set had a unique distribution quirk. Popular players appeared on popular cereals, which ironically made some lesser-known players harder to find.
The most valuable items from the 1963 Post Cereal set include Mickey Mantle and Carl Yastrzemski, each selling for between $400 and $500. LoveToKnow
The 1963 Mantle is more attainable than his 1961 and 1962 cards. It still belongs in any serious Post Cereal collection.
11. 1963 Post Cereal Carl Yastrzemski
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Set | 1963 Post Cereal |
| Team | Boston Red Sox |
| Value Range | $400 to $500+ |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted 1989 |
Carl Yastrzemski was one of the greatest Red Sox players ever. His early Post Cereal card is a true classic.
The Carl Yastrzemski card from the 1963 Post Cereal set sells for between $400 and $500, matching Mantle as one of the most valuable cards in the entire 1963 series. LoveToKnow
Yaz collectors are dedicated. Clean examples of this card are not easy to come by.
12. 1961 Post Cereal Chuck Stobbs #94
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #94 |
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Position | Pitcher |
| Notable Sale | ~$800 on eBay (2018) |
This card surprises most collectors. Chuck Stobbs is not a household name, but his Post Cereal card is genuinely rare.
Stobbs pitched 8 of his 16 seasons for the Washington Senators and is considered one of the best pitchers in franchise history. In 2018, a PSA 9 Chuck Stobbs #94 from the 1961 set sold on eBay for almost $800. Noname Antiques
This is a great example of how scarcity beats fame in vintage collecting. Low-population PSA grades create big prices.
13. 1962 Post Cereal Roger Maris #6
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Number | #6 |
| Set | 1962 Post Cereal |
| Achievement | Set record of 61 home runs in 1961 |
| Graded Examples | Actively traded on eBay |
Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth’s record in 1961 with 61 home runs. His 1962 Post Cereal card captures him at the peak of his fame.
Maris was named 1961 AL MVP and guided the Yankees to the World Series title that same year. He was a seven-time All-Star selection. PSA
The Life magazine panel version (with Mantle) is most valuable. Standalone graded copies also sell for solid money.
14. 1961 Post Cereal Yogi Berra
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Team | New York Yankees |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted 1972 |
| Status | Short print variation exists |
Yogi Berra is one of the most iconic Yankees ever. His 1961 Post Cereal card carries strong collector demand.
Yogi Berra is listed among the all-time greats on the 1961 Post Cereal checklist, alongside Mantle, Mays, Clemente, and Aaron. The Cardboard Connection
Short-print variations of this card exist. Collectors who know what to look for can find hidden gems here.
15. 1961 Post Cereal Roger Maris
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Set | 1961 Post Cereal |
| Context | Year before his record-breaking season |
| Collectibility | High demand from Maris collectors |
| Condition Challenge | Hand-cut from cereal box |
The 1961 Maris card predates his record-breaking season. That timeline makes it historically significant.
The M&M Boys nickname came from Maris and Mantle’s epic 1961 home run chase. Mantle hit 54 home runs while Maris broke the record with 61 on the final day of the season. PSA
Pair this with the 1962 Maris and you have a two-year snapshot of the most exciting season in baseball history.
Why Are Post Cereal Cards Worth So Much?
Three reasons drive the value of early Post Cereal cards.
First, condition is everything. Because cards had to be hand-cut from boxes, very few examples are graded PSA 10. Cards graded PSA 9 can sell for thousands of dollars. LoveToKnow
Second, the players matter. Cards featuring Hall of Famers like Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Clemente will always attract buyers.
Third, nostalgia is powerful. These cards represent a unique intersection of breakfast culture and baseball history. Nothing else quite like them exists.
Factors That Affect Value
| Factor | Impact on Value |
|---|---|
| PSA / BGS Grade | Biggest single factor |
| Player Fame | Hall of Famers command premiums |
| Cut Quality | Clean cuts = higher grades |
| Card Stock Type | Box cut vs. company issue |
| Set Year | 1961 and 1962 most valuable |
| Short Print Status | Rare prints worth more |
| Centering | Off-center cards grade lower |
The 1961 Post Baseball set has over 350 cards when all variations are counted. Some players are short-printed, creating a major challenge when building a complete set. The Cardboard Connection
The type of cut matters too. Cards from cereal boxes were printed on thick cardboard stock, while company-issue sheets came on thinner cardboard, giving them a flimsier feel. Dean’s Cards Both types exist and graders account for this.
Value Guide
| Card | Year | Estimated Value (PSA 9) |
|---|---|---|
| Mickey Mantle/Roger Maris Panel | 1962 | $500 to $2,000+ |
| Mickey Mantle #4 | 1961 | $1,500 to $5,000+ |
| Mickey Mantle #5 | 1962 | $1,200 to $4,000+ |
| Ernie Banks #191 | 1961 | $1,000 to $1,600 |
| Sandy Koufax #109 | 1962 | $800 to $1,600 |
| Roberto Clemente #132 | 1961 | $1,000 to $2,000+ |
| Harmon Killebrew #92 | 1961 | $600 to $1,000 |
| Hank Aaron #107 | 1961 | $500 to $900 |
| Willie Mays #145 | 1961 | $400 to $800 |
| Mickey Mantle | 1963 | $400 to $500 |
| Carl Yastrzemski | 1963 | $400 to $500 |
| Chuck Stobbs #94 | 1961 | $400 to $800 |
| Roger Maris #6 | 1962 | $200 to $400 |
| Yogi Berra | 1961 | $150 to $350 |
| Roger Maris | 1961 | $150 to $300 |
Values are estimates based on recent sales. Always check PSA’s price guide and recent eBay completed sales for current pricing.
Sports memorabilia appraisers typically value complete 1961 or 1962 Post Cereal sets in good condition at $1,000 to $3,000, depending on condition. Individual cards for lesser-known players usually cost between $15 and $40, while top stars can reach $2,000 or more. LoveToKnow
Final Thoughts
Post Cereal baseball cards are one of the most underrated collectibles in the hobby. The challenge of cutting them cleanly, the short-printed players, and the Hall of Fame roster make these sets endlessly interesting.
Whether you are chasing a PSA 9 Mantle or hunting for a rare short print like Chuck Stobbs, the Post Cereal sets reward patient collectors.
Check the PSA population reports before you buy. Low population at high grades means big potential upside. And always inspect the cut quality first. A clean hand-cut card can be the difference between a $50 card and a $500 one.
The best finds are still out there in old shoeboxes and binders. Happy hunting.
