1994 Topps Finest #331 Michael Jordan - Refractor or NOT a Refractor?

Flewbie

Hello everyone,

A friend of mine received a Michael Jordan card as a result of a death in the family. He asked me to see if I could find out some information about the card but I'm not a big collector of basketball cards, if one at all. What I've been able to seemingly determine at this time is that we are possibly dealing with a 1994 Topps Finest #331 Michael Jordan card WITH the protective coating still on the card (possibly refractor, short print, or both??....see my questions below).

I've looked at Ebay Listings and tradingcarddb.com and have seemingly come up with inconsistencies to where I'm unsure if I am dealing with a Refractor version of the card, a base card, a Topps Finest Chrome (if there is such a thing), a Short Print within the base set or an actual Refractor.....yada yada yada. The card is in GREAT SHAPE, corners look sharp and the coating is fully intact.

NOTE: The jersey number he is wearing is #45 on a red uniform, black number. It is NOT #23. The border of the card is a shiny/gray/silver color. The upper right portion of the background is a caribbean blue water type color that looks like a pitted cement look (not actually pits on the card, just the appearance). The bottom right has the same aesthetic except purple in color. The left side background, middle (top to bottom) is a greenish tint, moreso than the bluish color from the top right. The card as a whole has a shiny appearance however in what I consider a more traditional refractor I don't seem to get a rolling rainbow effect when tilting the card around with light, however it is definitely a shiny type look. Not sure of the protective coating being still on the card prevents the full refractor type effects from presenting itself on the card or not.

So this leads me to this.....my question(s) to the community.....
1). Do they make a Topps Finest Chrome set in addition to the Topps Finest Set?
2). Is the fact that he is wearing #45 make it a Short Print in the base set (ie did they make him in both a #23 and #45 jersey)?
3). Was the #45 jersey only used for the Refractor version of the card?
4). Ultimately, what card do I have here?
5). Are there specific things that I can look at on the card to confirm what card this is? The price valuation on a refractor version of this card vs. a non-refractor version is substantial and I want to be sure before submitting for grading.

Will try to post a picture of the card, front and back to this.

Flewbie

mtcards

Does not appear to be a refractor. No, they did not make a "chrome" version of the finest set. The #45 is used for all the cards, both refractors and non refractors. The easiest way to determine if its a refractor (for those that are not adept already in doing so) is to have a refractor handy. You can get a common refractor for a few bucks off ebay and use it for comparison

remedylane

Does not appear to be a refractor to me either. The are easy to tell. Light hits them and they refract all sorts of colors.

Flewbie

@mtcards said:
Does not appear to be a refractor. No, they did not make a "chrome" version of the finest set. The #45 is used for all the cards, both refractors and non refractors. The easiest way to determine if its a refractor (for those that are not adept already in doing so) is to have a refractor handy. You can get a common refractor for a few bucks off ebay and use it for comparison

Thank you!

remedylane

I'll post a picture of one when I get home.

calaban7

One of the set I collect is the 1994 Topps Baseball Finest Refractors . Here is what they look like

remedylane

Here's what the basketball refractors will look like

BLUEJAYWAY

remedylane has shown you the proof of what the refractor looks like.

remedylane

@BLUEJAYWAY said:
remedylane has shown you the proof of what the refractor looks like.

Yes.. so now go into the world with this knowledge and flourish. But remember,with great knowledge comes great responsibility.