2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variations Guide
The 2020 Topps Archives Baseball variations checklist is a big one. As in “110 cards” big. Similar to the base set that they emanate from they do take on a few different forms. But no matter the type, it’s going to take a close look to spot most of them.
2020 Topps Archives 1955 Full Body Variations
The vast majority of the 2020 Topps Archives Baseball variations are found in the 1955 portion of the set, which accounts for the first 100 cards. All of them, which use the 1955 Topps Baseball design, have a Full Body Variation.
What this means is pretty simple. The smaller action shot on the card is swapped out for a different one.
For the most part, it’s easy to tell the difference — if they’re side-by-side. Things like jersey colors and batting versus fielding are usually enough. But there’s no running theme in the variations and they all look normal enough from the front.
We’ll get into using the backs as an easy (at least, easier) way to tell in a bit. Of course, there’s a massive gallery to help you out as well.
2020 Topps Archives 1955 Full Body Variations are 1:100 packs for both hobby and blasters. In retail fat packs, they’re 1:44.
2020 Topps Archives 1955 Full Body Black and White Variations
If the 100 image swaps weren’t enough, five of the 1955-style cards in 2020 Topps Archives Baseball also have a second SP card. However, these are some of the easiest to spot.
The premise is a simple one: the smaller full-body photo is in black and white.
Odds for these are 1:265 hobby and blaster packs, and 1:118 fat packs.
2020 Topps Archives 1974 Topps Variations
Four 1974-style 2020 Topps Archives Baseball variations are Heritage-esque. They’re a play on some variations found in 1974 Topps Baseball. At the time, the Padres were rumored to be making a move to Washington. Some cards noted the possible city change, although they were corrected.
For these variations, four Padres and Nationals players have the city switched in the top ribbon and “Nat’l Lea.” in the spot reserved for the team name.
Don’t be surprised to see more of these sorts of variations again in a couple of years as a part of 2023 Topps Heritage Baseball. That’s when it’s 1974’s turn with the other throwback brand.
Like the Black and White Variations, the stated odds for the 1974 SPs is 1:265 hobby and blaster packs, and 1:118 fat packs.
2020 Topps Archives 2002 Topps Variations
Rounding out the 2020 Topps Archives Baseball variations checklist is one card from the 2002 subset. More specifically, it’s Yadier Molina (#234). To spot it, the front of the card isn’t going to be much help.
Instead, it’s the photo on the back that’s different. It’s a nod to an Albert Pujols variation from 2002.
This one has the same odds as the 1955 Black and White and 1974 variations.
Another Way to Tell 2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variations
Card backs offer a relatively easy way to confirm whether you have one of the 2020 Topps Archives Baseball variations.
Like a lot of the company’s SSPs over the past few years, the code at the end of the fine print is like a code unto itself. Crack it and you’ve unlocked what type of card it is, whether you recognize that it’s a variation right away or not. It’s intended for production purposes, but it can be helped in situations like these — particularly when you have more than 100 possible short prints.
For the code method, focus on the final three digits and ignore the rest.
Each of the different base card designs has its own code. And each variation style has its own code. Here’s what you need to know based on the different card styles:
1955 Topps (#1-100)
- Base – 468
- Full Body Variations – 489
- Full Body Black and White Variations – 490
1974 Topps (#101-200)
- Base – 475
- 1974 Variations – 491
2002 Topps (#201-300)
- Base – 492
- 2002 Variation – 482
2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variations Gallery
Please use the tabs to navigate the different variation types.
1955 Full Body
2020 Topps Archives 1955 Full Body Variations
Missing images will be added ASAP.
1 Babe Ruth, New York Yankees
2 Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals
3 Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
4 Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds
5 Steve Carlton, Philadelphia Phillies
6 Aristides Aquino, Cincinnati Reds
7 Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
8 Kyle Schwarber, Chicago Cubs
9 Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers
10 Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
11 Rickey Henderson, Oakland Athletics
12 Marcus Stroman, New York Mets
13 Seth Brown, Oakland Athletics
14 Harmon Killebrew, Minnesota Twins
15 Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels
16 Willi Castro, Detroit Tigers
17 Jorge Soler, Kansas City Royals
18 Dylan Cease, Chicago White Sox
19 Pete Alonso, New York Mets
20 Whit Merrifield, Kansas City Royals
21 Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
22 Marcus Semien, Oakland Athletics
23 Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
24 Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
25 Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers
26 Keston Hiura, Milwaukee Brewers
27 Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
28 Aaron Hicks, New York Yankees
29 Robin Yount, Milwaukee Brewers
30 George Brett, Kansas City Royals
31 Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
32 Al Kaline, Detroit Tigers
33 Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
34 Brusdar Graterol, Los Angeles Dodgers
35 Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
36 Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians
37 Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners
38 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
39 Michael Brantley, Houston Astros
40 Sam Hilliard, Colorado Rockies
41 Deion Sanders, Cincinnati Reds
42 Jeff McNeil, New York Mets
43 Aaron Civale, Cleveland Indians
44 Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
45 Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
46 Gary Carter, New York Mets
47 Goose Gossage, New York Yankees
48 J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox
49 George Kell, Detroit Tigers
50 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
51 Brock Burke, Texas Rangers
52 Catfish Hunter, Oakland Athletics
53 Lou Boudreau, Cleveland Indians
54 Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers
55 Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins
56 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
57 Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
58 Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox
59 Will Clark, San Francisco Giants
60 Carl Yastrzemski, Boston Red Sox
61 Alex Young, Arizona Diamondbacks
62 Nomar Garciaparra, Boston Red Sox
63 Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates
64 Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
65 Sean Murphy, Oakland Athletics
66 J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
67 Kenta Maeda, Minnesota Twins
68 Jack Flaherty, St. Louis Cardinals
69 Trevor Bauer, Cincinnati Reds
70 Jim Thome, Cleveland Indians
71 Zack Greinke, Houston Astros
72 Isan Diaz, Miami Marlins
73 Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs
74 Ralph Kiner, Pittsburgh Pirates
75 Mike Mussina, Baltimore Orioles
76 Larry Doby, Cleveland Indians
77 Paul DeJong, St. Louis Cardinals
78 Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers
79 Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics
80 Ramon Laureano, Oakland Athletics
81 Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
82 Luis Aparicio, Chicago White Sox
83 Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves
84 Amed Rosario, New York Mets
85 Jake Fraley, Seattle Mariners
86 Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds
87 Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
88 Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
89 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
90 Nolan Ryan, Texas Rangers
91 Jordan Yamamoto, Miami Marlins
92 Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
93 Mallex Smith, Seattle Mariners
94 Charlie Morton, Tampa Bay Rays
95 A.J. Puk, Oakland Athletics
96 DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees
97 Monte Irvin, New York Giants
98 Wade Boggs, Boston Red Sox
99 Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers
100 Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Braves
1955 Black and White
2020 Topps Archives 1955 Black and White Variations
6 Aristides Aquino, Cincinnati Reds
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7 Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
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56 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
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78 Gavin Lux, Los Angeles Dodgers
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100 Hank Aaron, Milwaukee Braves
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1974
2020 Topps Archives 1974 Variations
105 Chris Paddack, San Diego Padres
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163 Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
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185 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
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194 Victor Robles, Washington Nationals
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2002
2020 Topps Archives 2002 Variations
234 Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Buy on:
Here we go again. Either memorize 100 different poses or break out the magnifying glass.
Why does Ralph Kiner have two cards in the set #74 1955 & #210 2002?
Does the Hank Aaron swinging variation actually exist? I’ve seen the black and white all over, but never the seining one.
@Billy – These are all images of live cards so it does exist.