After MONTHS of waiting, Topps Chrome retail is live and on eBay. This is by far one of my favorite sets of the year, as evidenced by the wall to wall coverage, and this year should prove to be no different. On top of added on card content and added refractors, this year’s Topps Chrome is already playing against a field of products that hasnt really measured up to the quality of the rookie class. Chrome is our first real opportunity to see high end chase cards in action, and I expect some major fireworks when it goes live for hobby later this week.
Here is what is up so far:
2012 Topps Chrome Andrew Luck Orange Refractor RC
2012 Topps Chrome Andrew Luck Rookie Red Zone Die Cut
2012 Topps Chrome Doug Martin Tall Boy – Updated Pic
2012 Topps Chrome Brandon Weeden Purple Refractor RC
2012 Topps Chrome Robert Griffin III RC
2012 Topps Chrome Trent Richardson Refractor RC
So far, the retail version is all that is out, and like last year, the exclusive refractors are back. I love the colored refractors a ton, as they not only look awesome, but they generate huge value outside of the box hits in the product. Guys like Luck and RGIII could break 30 bucks on the first completed auctions for all these types of “hits” which means that the 100 dollar price tag on a hobby box might actually bring some potential.
The design, as I have said over the last few weeks, might be the most Chrome auto friendly design in years. Because there is a large space for the player picture on the base cards, and a large space for the autographs when present, the cards look tremendous. In the usage of pink borders for BCA and camo for the troops, Topps adds an element that hasnt been as prominent in mainstream sets as it probably should have been. These cards will be collected for these reasons alone, just as they were in the first Topps release.
Chrome doesnt JUST represent a higher end version of the Topps set from earlier, it brings about a level of consistency that is rarely available in the hobby. Each and every year, Topps has been at the top of the mountain over the last few years with cards that come out of a low end box. Its a testament to what they have built in loyalty to Chrome, and that says something. As the cards become more readily available, Ill have more to update on the site – STAY TUNED!
I know it doesnt matter much but why is retail live 4 days before the hobby version?
Lot of lip service by topps about how important hobby shops are but it really shows the power of wal mart and target…
How long will it be before one of these 2 retailers make a commitment to increase floor space for cards or put in a little boutique collectible section
I can’t wait to tear into my case on Saturday and that I locked it in at $70/box. I don’t know if I can afford the 2+ cases I ended up buy last year though.
Just got a bunch of racks & blasters from Target today. Didn’t hit anything big but I have to say that the cards look really great. The inserts & refractor parallels make this a great break and I wish other sets had the retail presence that Chrome is able to achieve.
I opened $260 worth of retail (5 blasters, 15 rack packs) and loved the selection. Biggest hit was an Andrew Luck BCA PInk Refractor /399 that should grade well, a Matthew Stafford Gold /50, Doug Flutie QB Reprint refractor 01/99, Autos of Nick Toon (sticker) and Greg Childs (on card). Also had two camos, a handful of purples, and a Calvin Johnson Pink. Only RGIII was the 1984 RC version. Overall, I am pleased, probably about the same amount of value was had out of the retail as I would have had I spent $260 at a hobby store.
i got a blue payton manning and matt stafford refractor refractor and a brandon weeden “tall boy” #/75
Do not purchase rack packs from Walmart – especially in Ohio. The packs that I purchased have all been tampered with. Neither company wants to take responsibility for it. Unbelievable.