Topps Does This Better Than Others: Knowing the Source Material for Relic Cards

[SHowley2003]

Okay, admittingly, this first one doesn't fit the theme, but It's my newest pickup so I included it.

For this one, the tell is that gold trim around the number piece. It can only be from opening day at Fenway for the 2019 season when the Red Sox got their rings, and raised the banner for the 2018 WS win. Sale was the starting pitcher for that game.



These are my favorite baseball cards. The MLB certification sticker allows you to enter the cert number into this site
https://www.mlb.com/official-information/authentication
and you get info for exactly what the material is and when it was worn/used.



I especially like this one because it includes a photo of Mookie from the specific game the patch is from.


Topps then takes some of their cards a step further and includes stats and other information from the game the patch is from into the design of the card.

[daeve]

I do sometimes pu pu on Topps, just because I think they make about equal the number of flubs as Panini, but they really do these perfectly. And I didn't know about the cert numbers being searchable, that's very cool!

[GlenRice_90s_Cards]

Great looking cards Steve!

[volumeaccumulation]

Awesome looking cards. That Chris Sale is nasty. It's nice to see him pitching again and doing well.

[Deadshot]

This seems very doable for Topps basketball relics in the Fanatics era.

[SHowley2003]

This seems very doable for Topps basketball relics in the Fanatics era.

Thanks guys. I agree that Fanatics should be able to do this with basketball. I've been impressed with the quality of some of their baseball Topps releases, however, I don't think I've seen them use the MLB authentication stickers yet. I could be wrong, I'm not overly familiar with all of the product they've released.

[Knightrunnermatt]

First off, awesome cards! You collect the same three that I do (Devers, Sale, Betts).

Second, I love relics. I never knew they were seachable! I have always found them underrated by the hobby as they don't get the same price love that some of the other numbered/SP type cards do. Verifying that the relic is game worn/used on a wider basis should (maybe?) start to change that.

[SHowley2003]

First off, awesome cards! You collect the same three that I do (Devers, Sale, Betts).

Second, I love relics. I never knew they were seachable! I have always found them underrated by the hobby as they don't get the same price love that some of the other numbered/SP type cards do. Verifying that the relic is game worn/used on a wider basis should (maybe?) start to change that.

Thanks for the compliments. You would think that the ability to know exactly when the patch was worn would add value. I don't find it to be that way though. Topps has been doing this since at least 2016 and it doesn't have much of a following. That's fine with me though, I think it's the best way to collect relic cards.

This is my favorite example in my PC of how well the program works. I looked up the cert number, and then went to watch highlights of the game on YT. I was able to find the exact play (a head first slide into second) when Dustin dirty up the jersey. Unfortunately it's dirt from the Trop and not Fenway

[Iowa_Dave]

Gorgeous cards all of them. I love when players like Xander understand the quality of their autos matter.

[SHowley2003]

Gorgeous cards all of them. I love when players like Xander understand the quality of their autos matter.

A solid signature absolutely seems to be a thing that most athletes have lost track of. It's too bad, it really adds so much value to the memorabilia side of being a fan.

[1956ToppsGuy]

This seems very doable for Topps basketball relics in the Fanatics era.

Thanks guys. I agree that Fanatics should be able to do this with basketball. I've been impressed with the quality of some of their baseball Topps releases, however, I don't think I've seen them use the MLB authentication stickers yet. I could be wrong, I'm not overly familiar with all of the product they've released.

This is what I’ve been saying about the fanatics era. If they know what they’re doing, all relic cards should come with the authentication sticker. It’s so cool to know what play or game these things come from and it deepens the connection to the card. Seems like such a straightforward combination of strengths to push in this direction.

[CatchingHeaters]

Totally agree, big fan of how Topps produces their patch/relic cards especially with the auth stickers. I like the example you showed of the “On This Day” I think adding the stats from the game used jersey is really cool. Here is my Soto Topps Dynasty from 2021, the gold is like the Sale you showed, it’sfrom the Nationals opening day after their WS I believe.