The Rarest Mario Card Ever Made!

Since the early days of the success of the Mario franchise, Nintendo has produced many trading cards over the years. Out of all the cards that Nintendo has produced, there is one card that rivals all the others. I have been collecting Mario cards for many years, and I have discovered many rare cards along the way. I went on a journey several years ago to find out if Mario had a “rookie” card, and if so, what it was. Through a lot of help with many of my Japanese connections, I finally discovered Mario’s rookie card. What I didn’t realize is just how rare this Mario rookie card really was.  

A company called Amada started producing Menko cards in Japan for Nintendo in the early 1980’s. Menko is a game where you put several Menko cards on the ground or a table. Then you take a Menko card in your hand and slam it down on the ground trying to flip over other Menkos on the ground. Also, a lot of Menkos were often miss-cut, off-centered, stained, and marked on by Menko players. Finding a Menko with sharp corners, centered, with good surface and edges is next to impossible.  

So, Menko was a popular game played by many Japanese children. Due to the nature of the game, finding Menko cards in good condition is extremely hard to find, even in Japan. Amada made many round Menkos, but the square (rectangle) Menkos were made in less quantities. There was a larger quantity of square Menkos produced in 1985, but the pre-1985 Menkos were not mass produced. It is here in the pre-1985 Menkos that we find the rarest Mario card ever made. 

Amada made a Donkey Kong/Jumpman Menko card in 1981. Over the years I have had many Japanese dealers and collectors looking for this card for me. I have been lucky enough to only find a few. Menkos were only produced and sold in Japan and after many years of intense searching in Japan has only produced a few. And yes, most of these have condition issues. I was lucky enough about a year ago to finally find one that was at least worthy of grading. Until recently, no card grading companies would grade Nintendo Menko cards. Since CGC recently started grading Menkos, I decided to send in my best example of my 1981 Donkey Kong/Jumpman Menko. I was pleased to get this Menko back from CGC graded as an 8.5.  

I have searched, and continue to search, for this particular 1981 Menko and like I have for many years, I usually come up empty. Through all my Japanese connections and online searches, I have come to the realization that this Menko is by far the rarest of all Mario cards ever produced. Several Japanese dealers and serious Menko collectors share this point and have agreed that no more than 1,000 of these cards were ever produced. It could be less, but we will never be sure because Amada didn’t keep specific records on Nintendo Menko card production.  

With all of this said, the 1981 Donkey Kong/Jumpman Menko card is the rarest Mario card ever produced in the world. And finding one in good condition...well, is “Ultra Mega Rare.”

Look out Heritage Auctions...Mario’s rookie card might find its way on your auction block soon!