2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Parallels Guide
The 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball parallels might not form the same massive rainbow as flagship Topps or Bowman Chrome but there are several quirks and rarities worth pointing out.
Yes, some use standard color changes in the border, but many of the 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen parallels opt for changes that are more subtle or change the larger complexion of the card.
On the color-based side, 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball has four different types of parallels that have a different border color. Green are exclusive to retail packs. Indigo are on the easier side, but still somewhat tough when you span it out over the entire checklist. These, which look blue-ish around the outside of the card, are 1:17 hobby packs.
Red (/10) and Black (1/1) are among the most scarce 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen parallels.
Although the border isn’t really in play, Black and White cards take a color-based approach. Simply put, the color has been take out of the front of the card. These are numbered to 50.
2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball Parallels: Look a Little Closer
Here’s a breakdown of the parallels that take different approach, rather than just playing with the color dials.
You need to flip a card over to spot a Bazooka Back. These have an ad on the back for Bazooka Gum. Card fronts are the same, though.
GQ Logo Swap cards are a new addition for 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen. Regular base cards have a text-based logo with the GQ letters. Logo Swap parallels switch it out for a lady’s face.
Missing Blackplate parallels return. These cards, which are exclusive to retail blasters, take an opposite approach to color. They subtract instead of add. Missing Black Plate cards have a bit of a washed out look. That’s because they skipped the black portion of the printing process.
Another somewhat stealth parallel are Missing Nameplate cards. The thing is the nameplate isn’t actually missing, but that’s what they’re referred to as on the packs. If you look at the name then move up the card, you’ll notice there’s a blank spot where the team usually is. Some are referring to these as Missing Team Name parallels, which is how they were originally on the set’s sell sheet.
It’s worth noting that the high number short prints (#301-320) aren’t part of all the parallel runs. They only have Missing Nameplate, GQ Logo Swap, Bazooka Back and Black versions.
2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Parallels Gallery
Here’s a quick reference for all of the 2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball parallels.
Odds are noted for hobby packs.
Bazooka Back
Odds: #1-300 – 1:43, #301-320 – 1:1,263
Production Run: not announced
Black
Odds: #1-300 – 1:4,221, #301-320 – 1:64,240
Production Run: 1/1
Black and White
Hobby only.
Odds: 1:41
Production Run: /50
Green
Odds: 3 per retail value pack
Production Run: not available
GQ Logo Swap
Odds: #1-300 – 1:22, #301-320 – 1:843
Production Run: not available
Indigo
Odds: 1:17
Production Run: /250
Missing Blackplate
Odds: 5 per retail blaster box
Production Run:
Missing Nameplate
Odds: #1-300 – 1:16, #301-320 – 1:422
Production Run:not available
Red
Odds: 1:422
Production Run: /10
Comments? Questions? Contact Ryan Cracknell on Twitter @tradercracks or by email.
The parallels are backwards in the pack. So there’s no trying to figure out what’s, what.
@Joseph — Not everyone is collecting from packs. Also, sometimes collectors know they have something different but want to know what it is. This is a simple resource to help that.
@Ryan I wasn’t knocking the article. It was very informative. Good job. I was just stating that from a pack opener, it’s good that Topps did this.
I got a backwards base card so sometimes the backwards cards aren’t variations at all
what about the “team swap”
@joe – The Team Swap cards are variations, not parallels. They can be found here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2018-topps-gypsy-queen-baseball-variations-gallery/