1987 Topps Wrapper Question

[deweyinthehall]

On my 1987 Topps page, I show the wax wrapper from that year, which came in 3 varieties - album ad, sheets ad and anti-drug message. Each bears the commodity code 0-362-94-02-7, in green.

My fried Tom recently let me know that each wrapper is available in a version which identical to the first, except that the code is written in blue and bears the number 0-362-94-01-7.

We know commodity codes were generally used to track distribution/sales of cards in different packaging formats. But with 1987 wax, was there any other way the packs were available than the standard 36-ct. box? The existence of two codes suggest so.

The only thing I can come up with is that perhaps one version was sold from cases marked for distribution to the big box stores - we know of cases from at least 1986 and 1990 which have different markings in this regard.

Thoughts on the explanation for these two codes?

[steve B]

The only thing I see is the product code in green on one and blue on the other.

It might indicate wrappers printed in a different plant, or everything done in a different plant.
Or maybe something to do with the contest?

Or more likely Topps being Topps.