Class Action: How to Tell the 2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball Base Cards Apart

2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball has three different sets. Aptly titled Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3, they all have the same general layout and identical checklists. However, Class 1 is available in greater quantities than Class 3 (Class 2 is sandwiched between them as far as rarity goes).

But it can be tricky to decipher what tier some of the cards belong in. It’s even tougher if you’re looking for cards online as the tell-tale label doesn’t always show up well in a scan.

If you know what to look for and where to direct your attention, it can be much easier.

1. The Label on the Front

Here’s the thing. All of the 2017 Topps Gold Label base cards are labeled on the front according to their class. It’s in a ribbon running down the side of the card.

In theory, there shouldn’t be an issue telling what’s what. So start your search there.

The thing is, the writing is both small and faint. So what’s happened is that the writing on this ribbon, either in part or in large chunks, blends into the background. When you’re holding a card, it’s a little more clear. But digital scans can be hard.

This Freddie Freeman is a perfect example.

About a third of the way up, there is a break in the background tint. Here’s where the Class 1 ribbon is the easiest to see. But the window is small. And even if you see it, the writing very clear. The remainder of the background is darker and the color is similar to the letters. This happens on many cards in the set.

It doesn’t matter if your eyesight is 20/20, going the obvious route isn’t always easy.

But it’s a place to start.

Other cards have a lighter background and the writing more clear and easy to spot.

2. The Background Photos

Many may not be familiar with the early days of Topps Gold Label. When the brand debuted in 1998, it also came with the three-Class structure. Each Class used a specific type of photo in the background as a tipoff for the level. Class 1 cards had an image of the player fielding in the background. Class 2 had them running. Class 3 was all about hitting or the pitching motion, depending on the player’s position.

Although not foolproof, there is definitely a running theme on many of the cards that should help quickly identify most of the 2017 Topps Gold Label cards. And it’s a nod to the past.

Class 1

The majority of the 2017 Topps Gold Label Class 1 cards returning to the fielding theme, at least for non-pitchers.

For batters, there are a couple of exceptions that don’t have fielding poses for Class 1 (such as #5 Carl Yastrzemski, #26 Roberto Clemente, #55 George Brett, #65 Albert Pujols and #91 Hank Aaron).

For pitchers, the consistent theme is poses early in the windup, usually with their throwing hands and the ball inside the glove.

Class 2

The main theme for Class 2 position players in 2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball is batting.

For pitchers, it’s more of a mid-windup pose.

Class 3

For the final Class, the main giveaway may be that you don’t see too many of them. Of the three tiers, Class 3 cards are the toughest to pull. But rarity may not help unless you have a large stack to sort from.

Class 3 cards have position players running in the background photo.

On the pitching side, players are pictured in the latter part of their throw. Generally, this means in the follow-through. This also completes the logical sequence carried throughout the three Classes for pitchers, starting at the beginning of a throw and going to the end.

Figuring out the Classes on 2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball cards isn’t impossible. It’s not even that hard when you know what to look for. That said, it may not be the clearest thing for a lot of collectors. Perhaps as the brand is refined for future releases, the text may be a little clearer. It could also moved to another spot like the nameplate or somewhere on the back.

But the labels are there. You just might have to look closely to see them.

Comments? Questions? Contact Ryan Cracknell on Twitter @tradercracks or by email.