Topps Tiffany: Heroes of the “Junk Wax” Era
The 1980s to the early 90s was a boom period for the sports card industry. Collectors wanted all the sports cards and memorabilia they could get their hands on, and the companies that produced these items were happy to oblige. This dynamic led to never before seen levels of sports card production, with the larger companies like Topps, Donruss, and Fleer often printing millions of cards each year to satiate the appetite of a growing base of collectors. These record-breaking print runs eventually led to a massive devaluing of cards from this time period (especially cards printed from 1987-1992), which was later dubbed the “Junk Wax Era.” However, one product from the 1980s stands out from the sea of “junk wax.” The cards from these sets are incredibly sought after and maintain a high value to the present day. This product is Topps Tiffany - the cure for the Junk Wax blues.
What is Topps Tiffany?
Topps Tiffany was introduced in 1984 as a premium, high-end version of the regular Topps baseball cards. Originally called “Collector’s Editions” (and later referred to as “Topps Tiffany” by collectors), Tiffany sets were produced until 1991. Unlike standard Topps cards, which were produced in massive quantities and printed on lower-quality cardboard, the limited Tiffany cards were produced with glossy, bright white card stock. Additionally, these cards were packaged in different ways and included distinctive features, making them easy to differentiate from their standard counterparts. Topps Tiffany sets were typically sold only through specific retail outlets or offered via special promotions, making them more limited in distribution.
Scarcity and Value of Topps Tiffany Cards
The most significant factor that has made Topps Tiffany cards so desirable to collectors is their relative scarcity. While standard Topps cards from the 1980s were printed in the millions, Tiffany sets were produced in much smaller quantities, often numbering in the thousands/tens of thousands. As a result, these cards have become increasingly rare over time, particularly in high-grade condition.
Due to their limited production, Topps Tiffany cards often command a premium in the market compared to their regular counterparts. In fact, Tiffany cards from the 1980s typically fetch prices as much as ten-twenty times higher than their standard Topps versions, especially if they are graded by third-party services like PSA, SGC, or BGS.
For example, a 1984 Topps #230 Rickey Henderson graded PSA 10 has recent sales around $150, while the Topps Tiffany version of the same card recently sold for a staggering $1650. As an illustration of the relative scarcity of the Tiffany products, there are only about 30 PSA 10 copies of 1984 Topps Tiffany Rickey Henderson, while there are over 400 PSA 10s of the standard 1984 Topps Henderson. The difference in value becomes even more pronounced when looking at sealed factory sets from this era. The coveted 1986 Topps Traded factory set, which includes key rookies of Bo Jackson and Barry Bonds, typically sells for around $50-70, while the Tiffany version of the same set often has sales in the $2300 range!
How to Tell the Difference Between Tiffany and Regular Topps Cards
There are a few key ways to tell the difference between Tiffany and regular Topps cards from the 1980s. First, as mentioned earlier, Tiffany cards have a glossy, shiny finish that is more reflective than regular Topps cards, which have a more matte or dull appearance. Another way to distinguish Tiffany cards is by the card stock. Tiffany cards are printed on a much thicker and whiter cardboard compared to the standard Topps cards, which are generally thinner and have a more off-white or cream color. The bright white edges of Tiffany cards are one of the defining features collectors look for when verifying authenticity.
Finally, the packaging and distribution methods can also help identify Tiffany cards. Topps released these premium cards as sealed sets which were not available in retail stores (or in wax packs/boxes). These sets had unique, recognizable packaging that is very different from the standard Topps sets/products, and were typically sold through specialty hobby shops or by mail order, giving them a more exclusive feel. Tiffany sets have the words “Limited Edition Collector’s Series” as well as a gold seal on the packaging.
List of Topps Tiffany Years/Sets
Topps Tiffany sets mirrored their regular Topps counterparts from 1984 to 1991. The Tiffany sets produced are as follows:
1984 Topps Tiffany baseball
1984 Topps Traded Tiffany
1985 Topps Tiffany
1985 Topps Traded Tiffany
1986 Topps Tiffany
1986 Topps Traded Tiffany
1987 Topps Tiffany
1987 Topps Traded Tiffany
1988 Topps Tiffany
1988 Topps Traded Tiffany
1989 Topps Tiffany
1989 Topps Traded Tiffany
1990 Topps TIffany
1990 Topps Traded Tiffany
1991 Topps TIffany
1991 Topps Traded Tiffany
Topps also produced 1989 Bowman Tiffany and 1990 Bowman Tiffany sets.
Conclusion
Topps Tiffany products from the 1980s represent an intriguing niche within the world of baseball card collecting, and as time has passed, the scarcity and value of these cards have only increased. If you have any Topps Tiffany cards in your collection that you might be interested in selling or would like more information about, please contact us today!
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