In a thrilling development for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a trove of approximately 2,000 unopened 1963 Exhibit “stat back” baseball cards has recently come to light. These cards, which remain encased in their original brown packaging, constitute a remarkable find within the hobby, particularly notable for their untouched condition. The discovery was brought to public attention through a social media post showcasing a vintage arcade machine reminiscent of the ones that once dispensed these prized cards.

As news of the find spread, Bill Mendel, a respected figure in the sports memorabilia industry, expressed his astonishment after hearing about it from a contact on the east coast. The individual had ties to the arcade business and had acquired the cards from Mike Munves, a well-known distributor and repairer of arcade machines during the 1950s and 60s. The revelation of these sealed packages, complete with Exhibit Supply’s Chicago address, confirmed their authenticity and historical significance.

Representing Memorabilia Experts, a reputable memorabilia store and auction house based in Las Vegas, Mendel wasted no time in arranging for the consignment of these exceptional artifacts. The unopened packs, each likely containing multiple complete sets of the 64-card series, could command substantial value, fetching thousands of dollars each due to their pristine, uncirculated state. Among the treasure trove, there was also a partially opened fifth package and hundreds of loose cards, including ten Hank Aarons, ten Willie Mays, nine Mickey Mantles, and other baseball legends, elevating the find to an even greater level of rarity and significance.

Renowned for their career statistics printed in red, the 1963 “stat back” cards are considered rare due to their quality and size. While loose cards from this era and series are not uncommon, discovering them in unopened vending packages is exceedingly rare, granting them high prices in the collector’s market.

The entire collection, including both the unopened packs and the loose cards, will be put up for auction and has already garnered significant interest and bids. This auction presents a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire these vintage gems while simultaneously celebrating the history and nostalgia of baseball card collecting, evoking the time when obtaining a card was as simple as inserting a coin into a machine.

For Mendel and Memorabilia Experts, securing these items for auction marks a noteworthy achievement, bringing attention to the enduring allure and excitement of discovering sports memorabilia treasures. Whether the unopened packs will be opened or remain sealed, that decision rests with the winning bidders. However, the mere existence of these cards in their original state is a triumph for collectors and historians alike, commemorating the legacy of baseball’s past and celebrating the joy of card collecting.

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