CGC Unveils 3 Holy Grail Cards at Fanatics Fest NYC

CGC Brings Three Hobby Icons to Fanatics Fest

CGC is set to showcase three of the most recognizable cards in the sports card hobby at Fanatics Fest NYC later this month. The company says its CGC Graded Grail Showcase will feature a Wayne Gretzky rookie card, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card, and a T206 Honus Wagner.

The cards will be on public display at CGC Booth #137 during Fanatics Fest NYC, which runs July 16-19 at the Javits Center. CGC describes the display as a rare chance for fans to see several of the hobby's most famous cards together in one place.

Among the three cards, the Honus Wagner is the most mysterious heading into the event. CGC says more details about the card, including its grade and other specifics, will be available on July 9.

The Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card on Display

One of the centerpiece items in the showcase is a 1979-80 Topps Wayne Gretzky rookie card. CGC says the card is the Topps version of the Gretzky rookie, not the O-Pee-Chee issue.

What makes this example especially notable is the combination of grades. CGC says it is the only authenticated Wayne Gretzky-signed 1979-80 Topps rookie card known to combine a CGC Gem Mint 10 card grade with an Auto 10 grade. The autograph was also given a 10 by JSA, adding to its standout status in the hobby.

Population data included with the source underscores how rare top-grade examples are across major grading companies. PSA has a 10 population of 1 and a 9 population of 127. BGS has a 9.5 population of 4 and a 9 population of 25. SGC has a 9.5 population of 1 and a 9 population of 7.

The source also notes recent sales history for signed examples of the card. The top sales of any 1979-80 Topps Wayne Gretzky cards with an autograph were a PSA 7 with Auto 10 that sold for $17,093 in January 2026 and then again in April 2026 for $22,570.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Type 1 Rookie Card

The second major card in the CGC Grail Showcase is a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Type 1 #311 rookie card. The card is one of the most iconic in the hobby and is often mentioned alongside the most important sports cards ever produced.

CGC says the example it will display is graded CGC 8. The source also points to how difficult high-grade copies of the card are to find across the major grading services.

According to the population figures provided, PSA has 3 copies graded 10, 6 copies graded 9, 5 copies graded 8.5, and 35 copies graded 8. SGC has 1 copy graded 9.5, 2 copies graded 9, 2 copies graded 8.5, and 4 copies graded 8. BGS has 1 copy graded 8.

The article also references recent market activity for the card. An SGC 8 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle sold for $600,000 at Heritage Auctions in 2023. A PSA 8 sold for $1.83 million on June 20, 2026 at Goldin Auctions.

With those results in mind, the CGC 8 example adds another notable Mantle to the conversation, especially as part of a public display focused on hobby history.

Honus Wagner Joins the Showcase

The third card in the display is a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, widely regarded as the Holy Grail of sports cards. CGC says the card has been authenticated and preserved by the company.

While the source does not disclose the grade or additional card details yet, the inclusion of a T206 Wagner gives the showcase another cornerstone piece from the early history of the hobby. CGC says more information will be released on July 9.

For collectors, the Wagner card remains one of the most talked-about names in the entire sports card market. Its place in the display alongside a Gretzky rookie and a Mantle rookie gives the CGC booth a lineup built around three of the most recognizable cards in the hobby.

Why the CGC Grail Showcase Matters

CGC says the display is intended to offer a museum-quality experience for fans attending Fanatics Fest NYC. The three cards represent different eras of sports history and different collecting touchstones, from pre-war baseball to post-war baseball to modern hockey.

The Gretzky rookie stands out for its combination of card grade and autograph grade. The Mantle rookie represents one of the most important post-war baseball cards ever made. The Honus Wagner brings the pre-war era into the mix and adds the kind of card that often sits at the center of hobby conversations.

For attendees, the showcase offers a chance to see cards that are usually discussed in auction results, population reports, and hobby lore rather than displayed side by side in public. CGC Booth #137 will be the place to find the exhibit when Fanatics Fest NYC opens at the Javits Center on July 16.

What Collectors Can Expect at Fanatics Fest NYC

Fanatics Fest NYC runs July 16-19, and CGC's booth will feature the Grail Showcase during the event. The company has positioned the display as one of the highlights of its booth presence, with three cards that are rarely seen together in any setting.

The confirmed lineup includes:

• The only authenticated Wayne Gretzky-signed 1979-80 Topps rookie card known to combine a CGC Gem Mint 10 card grade with an Auto 10 grade
• A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Type 1 #311 rookie card graded CGC 8
• A 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, authenticated and preserved by CGC

CGC says the Honus Wagner will receive additional detail on July 9, leaving one final piece of the showcase to be fully revealed before the event begins. For collectors planning to attend, Booth #137 will be one of the most closely watched stops at Fanatics Fest NYC.