1956 Topps Koufax "sand" version

azvike

Can anyone shed more light on this card? (rarity vs "regular" card, values, estimated POPs, etc?..TIA. I don't think PSA currently "recognizes" it on the flip. but that may be changing at some point ...

mintonlypls

PSA recognizes gray back ( which I have in a PSA-8.5) vs the more common white back version, but I was unaware of this version you referenced and will have to look at mine. I would like to see the version you reference.

It could be like the 1955 Jackie Robinson full diamond vs partial diamond, which PSA does not recognize.

MantleFan23

I collect this set. I had never heard of the sand "variation". PSA does not differentiate and I would probably categorize it as an uncorrected error that probably adds no additional value. Do you have a picture of the "sand variation"? Here is my card as an example.

azvike

the "sand " is by his left ear at the card border

azvike

@MantleFan23 said:
I collect this set. I had never heard of the sand "variation". PSA does not differentiate and I would probably categorize it as an uncorrected error that probably adds no additional value. Do you have a picture of the "sand variation"? Here is my card as an example.

Supposedly it WAS corrected after the initial print run. I have heard there are 1 or 2 for every 100 "normal" version out there...but I don't know that for a fact. I appreciate everyone's feedback...TY

PatriotTrading

Sounds like a print defect a flipper would use to get max value. You would think after over 60 years, this "variation" would've been brought up already.

mintonlypls

So..the "rarity" is the dots or sand in the white border by his left ear. The 7.5 '56 Koufax is tan example of that "rarity in which the OP is referring to?

PatriotTrading

I've always felt like this new "variation" wave arose from a combination of the 1990 Topps Frank Thomas NNOF and the 1990 Donruss "dot" and "no dot" variations.

bgr

bgr

I think ^^^ this is the “sand” version. I’m not too sure about the story here so I won’t promote what I’ve heard.

azvike

@mintonlypls said:
So..the "rarity" is the dots or sand in the white border by his left ear. The 7.5 '56 Koufax is tan example of that "rarity in which the OP is referring to?

it is the sand-colored "grass" at the top of his ear down to the sandy mound area

azvike

@bgr said:
I think ^^^ this is the “sand” version. I’m not too sure about the story here so I won’t promote what I’ve heard.

What have you heard?...we're all just here to pick up some knowledge...thank you in advance.

brad31

1956 variations don’t seem to have anyone that cares. There are three versions of Ted Williams and the value is the same. I have never heard of the Koufax sand version before. Cool to learn about something new.

bgr

So I have no reason to believe any of this is true or untrue.

The first time I noticed this was at a dealers table. I asked about it and he informed me it was an error that was introduced in the initial gray back print runs for the 0-100 cards in 56 series 1. Midway they supposedly switched to the white stock. This continued in series 2 101-180 but they quickly switched back to the gray stock.

This is why there are white backs in series 1 and 2 but not later. This is also why series 1 has a premium on gray backs.

For this mound behind ear variation it supposedly only existed in the series 1 prints and was corrected before series 2 was released. I don’t know if this is true. Just what I was told by some random dealer. He also said that this means it’s like a 1 in 25 error.

It’s also the picture on VCP for this issue. So there’s that.

Anytime I see a white back I still check if it has the sand. I haven’t seen one of those yet so maybe there is some truth to it. But it could just be sports card lore.

azvike

Excellent info...thanks

craig44

this reminds me of the 75 yount rookie puddle "variation"

PaulMaul

When I saw this I was expecting a card where the “y” in Sandy was missing 😂

Tibor

How bout some arrows a better description.
I'm not seeing a difference.
Side by side pics with a descrption would help.

RonSportscards

@Tibor said:
How bout some arrows a better description.
I'm not seeing a difference.
Side by side pics with a descrption would help.

Tibor

@RonSportscards Thank you.

nam812

To me, it looks more like un-watered grass than sand.

Ahmanfan

@craig44 said:
this reminds me of the 75 yount rookie puddle "variation"

Yount tried to match Boggs beer-for-beer variation

olb31

Looks like abut 4 or 5 listed on ebay out of 180. Reminds me a lot of the Randy Johnson 1989 Fleer. Some of them were all brown, some had a little brown. Definitely a neat. find.

waxman

@PaulMaul said:
When I saw this I was expecting a card where the “y” in Sandy was missing 😂

Exactly what I was thinking as well. Just like the 1958 Pancho "Herrer" variation.

bgr

I want to know the real story behind this more than ever and I can't find anything.

BLUEJAYWAY

I would assume the attraction for this card is the name Sandy and the "sand" coincidence. If his name was George there would not be that much interest. But I could be wrong. Overall an interesting bit of observation

Panama Mutiny

@mintonlypls said:
So..the "rarity" is the dots or sand in the white border by his left ear. The 7.5 '56 Koufax is tan example of that "rarity in which the OP is referring to?

I DONT SEE THE SAND

Panama Mutiny

@RonSportscards said:

@Tibor said:
How bout some arrows a better description.
I'm not seeing a difference.
Side by side pics with a descrption would help.

THANK YOU

PatriotTrading

@PatriotTrading said:
Sounds like a print defect a flipper would use to get max value. You would think after over 60 years, this "variation" would've been brought up already.

I stand corrected. I learned something new.

Doogster

@mintonlypls said:
PSA recognizes gray back ( which I have in a PSA-8.5) vs the more common white back version, but I was unaware of this version you referenced and will have to look at mine. I would like to see the version you reference.

It could be like the 1955 Jackie Robinson full diamond vs partial diamond, which PSA does not recognize.

Whoa! Your Sandy is incredible! Truly the best I’ve ever seen of that card.

olb31

Neat difference, but probably only for the Die hard Koufax collectors. I may get one just the heck of it. I have one at home too graded by bvg, I will check and see if it has the sand version.