1986 Topps Traded vs Topps Traded Tiffany

canyoubelieveit

The thread about the Bonds '86 got me interested in looking back at my '86 Traded set and I'm curious about how you differentiate between the Tiffany and non-Tiffany varieties. They look like the same card stock (I don't have any Tiffany cards to compare) which is what I would normally look for on a card outside the Traded sets. Is there any other way to differentiate? I did notice all the cards in my Traded set had two small black dots in the lower left corner on the back.

craig44

the tiffany is significantly more glossy. in hand you cant miss it.

burghman

Here's a link I found awhile back - there are still years that can't be differentiated from pictures alone, but it's helpful.

https://www.beckett.com/news/how-to-identify-topps-tiffany-baseball-cards-using-the-star-method/

canyoubelieveit

I looked at that article and one of the pictures seem to confirm what I thought: two black dots in the lower left is the non-Tiffany variety:

canyoubelieveit

Thanks for the article link!

NGS428

Here is a great resource:
https://www.tiffanycards.com/

parthur1607

The Tiffany is a much thicker card stock. A regular Topps will feel like you’re holding paper compared to a Tiffany. The front is a lot more glossy. I think the back is the best indicator, especially in the 86 and 87. A regular Topps 86 has a dull red colored back, where a Tiffany is bright red. I think the picture above with the two Bo Jackson’s both look like Tiffany. The 87 is even easier. The back of a regular Topps is sort of a brownish color border and the Tiffany has a white border.

parthur1607

blurryface

eric davis is a poor example to use here as he's in the regular set. easy to differentiate the backs. on both traded & tiffany traded, they both have the brighter/ lighter backs. tiffany's are much less grainier thoug.

of course now i'll just look for the dots!

craig44

I believe Tiffany's were printed in Ireland.

rtimmer

Yes the 1986 Traded Tiffany set doesn’t have the 2 Asterix marks I think is the easiest way to tell.

I completed the set together on the registry a few years ago and I will also tell you it’s a lot harder to get high grades on the Tiffany cards that on the regular cards.

https://psacard.com/psasetregistry/baseball/company-sets/1986-topps-tiffany-traded/alltimeset/184357

azvike

What about 89 reg vs Tiffany...I have an example with both labels that both have 2 dots...was it different in 89?

NGS428

@azvike said:
What about 89 reg vs Tiffany...I have an example with both labels that both have 2 dots...was it different in 89?

https://www.tiffanycards.com/topps-tiffany/1989-topps-tiffany

azvike

thx ...mine is the "traded"...so extremely difficult to tell when it is holdered.

bobbybakeriv

Louisiana Lightning!!!!!!! Tiffany are way more glossy, but I agree that isn't an easy "tell."