Toughest Topps Baseball Issues 1981-2006

[ALR-bishop]

Dave-- for me these were the toughest Topps sets of the 80s to assemble

80 Coins
82 Blackless
84 Encased or Head In The Box
85 Minis ( blank backs harder than regular backs)
88 Cloth
89 Big Head Suckers
88 Mets/ Yankee Stand Up Prototypes
89 Mets/ Yankees Stan ups

For 90-94 ( after that I just did base sets, updates and Heritage

90 President Bush card
90 Mylar Stickers (6)
90 Golden Spike Fernandez
91 Golden Spike Kelly
91 Garagiola business card
92 Golden Spike Nevin
93 Golden Spike Dreifort
93 Rockies and Marlins inaugural issues
94 Bilingual set
93 and 94 Black Gold uncertified redemption cards

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Dave-- for me these were the toughest Topps sets of the 80s to assemble

80 Coins
82 Blackless
84 Encased or Head In The Box
85 Minis ( blank backs harder than regular backs)
88 Cloth
89 Big Head Suckers
88 Mets/ Yankee Stand Up Prototypes
89 Mets/ Yankees Stan ups

For 90-94 ( after that I just did base sets, updates and Heritage

90 President Bush card
90 Mylar Stickers (6)
90 Golden Spike Fernandez
91 Golden Spike Kelly
91 Garagiola business card
92 Golden Spike Nevin
93 Golden Spike Dreifort
93 Rockies and Marlins inaugural issues
94 Bilingual set
93 and 94 Black Gold uncertified redemption cards

Thanks Al:

A 1980 coin is probably not going to happen, although I've come close once or twice but that was years ago. I generally collect a type of anything sold in a Topps retail pack (including tests) and just add proofs/protoypes as I find them without worrying about the latter stuff being complete. Never say never though as I've found and won rarities over the years I never thought would pop up or fall into my lap. I think I have all but an 85 mini from the first list otherwise and I may even have one of those around here

I waver on the Bush card as it seems like some shenanigans may have led to a handful being inserted in packs but do hope to nail one of those someday. I think I have the latter day Garagiola card but am still pulling stuff out of deep closet storage, I definitely have the one from the 70's. That last Black Gold entry, is that the insert redemption card?

[ALR-bishop]

The 93 and 94 Black Gold cards had A,B,C,D,A/B, C/D and A/B/C/D checklists. You could redeem the checklist cards for the cards listed on them, but the checklist you got back had "Certified" on it. Most checklist cards you see on eBay are certified. Unredeemed non certified cards are harder to find and if you want a master set you need one of each. Plus some of the uncertified checklists are pricey

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

The 93 and 94 Black Gold cards had A,B,C,D,A/B, C/D and A/B/C/D checklists. You could redeem the checklist cards for the cards listed on them, but the checklist you got back had "Certified" on it. Most checklist cards you see on eBay are certified. Unredeemed non certified cards are harder to find and if you want a master set you need one of each. Plus some of the uncertified checklists are pricey

Ah, got it. A wrinkle (and now two types to collect for that insert!)

[ALR-bishop]

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Dave-- for me these were the toughest Topps sets of the 80s to assemble

80 Coins
82 Blackless
84 Encased or Head In The Box
85 Minis ( blank backs harder than regular backs)
88 Cloth
89 Big Head Suckers
88 Mets/ Yankee Stand Up Prototypes
89 Mets/ Yankees Stan ups

Al,

Do you have the 1988 Cloth Nelson Simmons? I would love to see a scan of the card.

[ripfan008]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Al,

Do you have the 1988 Cloth Nelson Simmons? I would love to see a scan of the card.

Alan,

That was my mistake about the card on the Brooks Robinson thread.

I was using a faulty checklist. It's been confirmed to me that that card doesn't exist.

Sorry about that,

Mike

[ripfan008]

Here's a previous thread on 1989 Topps Gold Border cards.

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=191504

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Here's a previous thread on 1989 Topps Gold Border cards.

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=191504

Thanks-I didnlt see these in either Standard Catalog or Beckett Almanac. Did they ever get sussed out as to intent/origin?

[ripfan008]

Originally Posted by toppcat

Thanks-I didnlt see these in either Standard Catalog or Beckett Almanac. Did they ever get sussed out as to intent/origin?

The only other info I've been able to find is from some old threads from other forums.

https://forums.collectors.com/discus...ify-other-item

This one claims that bmw cards was the first to sell them on Ebay and they were originally purchased from a former Topps employee.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

The only other info I've been able to find is from some old threads from other forums.

https://forums.collectors.com/discus...ify-other-item

This one claims that bmw cards was the first to sell them on Ebay and they were originally purchased from a former Topps employee.

Hmmm....BMW is a reliable source. Thanks for the link!

[ALR-bishop]

Geez Mike, you and Alan had me in a state of panic

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Alan,

That was my mistake about the card on the Brooks Robinson thread.

I was using a faulty checklist. It's been confirmed to me that that card doesn't exist.

Sorry about that,

Mike

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Alan,

That was my mistake about the card on the Brooks Robinson thread.

I was using a faulty checklist. It's been confirmed to me that that card doesn't exist.

Sorry about that,

Mike

Mike,

Thanks for the clarification. I guess that means my Orioles team set is complete with Jim Dwyer and Mike Hart.

1988 Topps Cloth Test Issue.jpg

[sthoemke]

1991 Topps (C Sheet) Bold 40th Anniversary Logo cards.

I've only heard of Jose Canseco and one other card surfacing from the C sheet with the bold logo.

Sorry 1980 Coins The Original Presentation Board that I have

[Blackless Collector]

Originally Posted by rgpete

Sorry 1980 Coins

Nice Coins!!

[jacksoncoupage]

Originally Posted by sthoemke

1991 Topps (C Sheet) Bold 40th Anniversary Logo cards.

I've only heard of Jose Canseco and one other card surfacing from the C sheet with the bold logo.

Do you have a photo?

I’ve found partial bolds on C* sheet cards but never a full, distinct Bold 40th card. Just higher saturation red in that area.

[sthoemke]

There is an image on Tanner Jones' Canseco website:

https://tanmanbaseballfan.com/my-hav...age_number_0=1

Looking at the card, I think it might be possible that it is higher ink saturation, as you suggest.