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Topps is taking trading cards to a new level with the release of its 2023-24 Topps Mercury Victor Wembanyama collection, a high-end product centered entirely around the NBA's Rookie of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. Priced at $8,000 per box, each box contains eight cards, including two autographs, game-worn jersey pieces, and several rare chase cards. This is the first in the Topps Mercury line, but certainly not the last.

The collection leverages Topps' exclusive autograph deal with Wembanyama and incorporates jersey relics from his rookie season. Each card is sealed in a magnetic case and wrapped in foil, adding to the premium nature of the set.

One of the most coveted cards in the collection is a dual autograph card featuring Wembanyama and NBA legend LeBron James, both of whom have exclusive autograph deals with Fanatics. Red parallels, limited to just five copies, and a one-of-a-kind SuperFractor, are also part of the collection, making this set highly desirable for collectors.

Topps has also designed ten unique autograph cards, with some including personal inscriptions from Wembanyama. The relic cards in the set come from some of the most memorable moments of Wembanyama’s rookie season, including his NBA debut and the game where he scored his 1,000th point.

Last year, Wembanyama’s debut NBA jersey fetched an astounding $762,000 at auction, setting the stage for the excitement surrounding the game-worn relics featured in this collection.

Other dual autograph pairings in the set include Wembanyama with NBA icons such as David Robinson, Tony Parker, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd, and even football star CJ Stroud, another Fanatics exclusive. No more than ten copies of each dual autograph will be produced, ensuring the rarity and value of these cards.

The product also includes 20 base cards that highlight significant moments from Wembanyama's rookie season. In a nod to his French roots, the base short prints are printed in French and limited to 45 copies each. Additionally, a “Specimen” super short print version, limited to 15 copies, celebrates his "Alien" nickname. Parallels of all 20 base cards will have serial numbers capped at 99.

Beyond the autographs and base cards, the set also features ten insert designs. Notable inserts include “Cote to Coast”, a nod to the Cote d'Azur, 1971 Topps Chrome, and Wingspan, some of which will be available with autographs.

While Topps has released single-athlete sets before, including the Topps x J-Rod (Julio Rodriguez) set in 2023, this Wembanyama release will be Topps' "most widely distributed single-athlete set" to date.

Boxes will be available for purchase on Topps.com and select hobby shops, with an exclusive debut via Fanatics Live one day before its official October 9 release date.

The Topps Mercury brand will continue beyond Wembanyama, as Topps plans to use it for future single-athlete products tied to athletes’ first professional seasons. Collectors can expect similar high-end releases for future rising stars.