2015 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball looks to have unannounced surprises
By Ryan Cracknell | Hobby Editor
It’s still a couple of days away from its official release, but it looks as though 2015 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball is taking a page from the earlier set. Although Action Image and Color Swap variations were announced in advance and included on the checklist. But based on some early info from breakers and retail sightings, it looks like there’s a lot more 2015 Topps Heritage High Number that is arriving unannounced.
At this point it’s early and things could change once packs start getting ripped in larger quantities, but here are some things to look for.
Black and White
Case breaker brentandbecca, as he’s also known on Twitter, posted this image this afternoon.
Looks like Heritage has new unannounced variation BLACK AND WHITE pic.twitter.com/pGP2w5f1Zv
— Brent Williams (@brentandbecca) September 23, 2015
According to brentandbecca, the card came from a retail pack but additional reports suggest they’re a case hit that can be found in retail as well. Signs also point to the cards being more of a parallel than a variation. It’s unknown whether every card in the set has a Black and White card or if it’s only a partial parallel set like the Chrome cards and Minis.
Wood Grain/Glossy Back Parallels
The name of these might change when more surface, but there have been multiple reports of cards that have a wood grain texture on the front. It doesn’t sound like they’re wood cards like the Allen & Ginter Minis or the ones found in Triple Threads, though. These cards are also distinct on the back with a glossy finish. Some have described it as the regular front feel is now on the back and vice versa. Either way, it seems that these could be on the subtle side.
Both the Black and White and Grain cards look to be landing at about the same general rate as the Blue Back parallels (1:375), which are limited to ten copies each.
Gum Stain Backs
Hopefully you don’t have the fall cold right now because some of your 2015 Topps Heritage High Number cards could have the sweet smell of nostalgia. Gum Stain Backs, which debuted as a surprise in 2015 Topps Heritage return. These have small bits of synthetic gum on the back that are easily missed. Besides looking like old-school gum stains, they also have a bubble gum scent. Gum Stain Backs are inserted 1:43 hobby packs.
Variation Codes
If Action Image and Color Swap cards are the only variations, they shouldn’t be hard to spot. But the codes in the small print on the back can confirm things for you as well.
According to brentandbecca, base cards have two codes, 79 and 84. Base set short prints end in 89.
Action Image variations 94 while Color Swap variations end in 95.
Stay tuned for more 2015 Topps Heritage High Number Baseball details as they’re confirmed. In the meantime, this should get you started.
