Can someone give me a detailed history of Topps Finest baseball (especially 1998-present)?

Estil

This was inspired by the thread regarding Topps Heritage. I'm starting to do my own Finest run and I want to know everything I can about the Finest baseball sets, in particular the 1996 & 1997 Finest sets (the ones with the gold/silver/bronze (G/S/B) cards). I know there were only 4,000 cases of 1993, but what about the other years? How many cards were in a pack, how many packs a box, and how many boxes a case for each year? Also, is the Finest brand still considered one of the premier, luxury brands like it used to be, or is now a "mid-brand" set as one person here mentioned earlier? Also, can someone do some scans for me of what the fronts AND backs (something nearly all Ebayers don't bother with) of all the Finest look like, especially 1998 onward? Finally, how exactly are the 1996 & 1997 sets numbered (for example, do they have a seperate numbering system for the G/S/B cards?

Thanks so much in advance for everyone's help; please be as detailed as possible. And I'm only interested in baseball, BTW.

jradke4

<< <i>Thanks so much in advance for everyone's help; please be as detailed as possible. And I'm only interested in baseball, BTW. >>



Thats too bad. I really only do Football Finest. So I cant help much.

Estil

bump

frankhardy

Don't know much about them. I would like to know as well. I have a 1993 Finest Complete Set (no refractors, thought), and a bunch of 1994 Finest Refractors.

fsjeter

From the Beckett Almanac (you really should consider picking up a copy as there is a wealth of info):

The 1997 Finest set was issued in two series of 191 cards and 168 cards respectively, for a total of 359 cards. A protective film, designed to keep the card from scratching and maintain original gloss, covers the front. This product provides collectors with the opportunity to complete a number of sets within sets, each with a different degree of insertion. Each card is numbered twice to indicate the set count and theme count. Series 1 set covers four distinct themes: Finest Phenoms, Finest Intimidators, Finest Gamers and Finest Sterling. Within the first three themes, some players will be common (bronze trim), some uncommon (silver) and some rare (gold). Finest Sterling consists of star players included within one of the other three themes, but featured with a new design and different photography. The breakdown for the player selection of common, uncommon, and rare cards is completely random. There are 110 common, 55 uncommon (1:4 packs), and 25 rare (1:24 packs). Series 2 covers four distinct themes also with common, uncommon, and rare cards seeded at the same ratio. The four themes are: Finest Franchises which features 36 team leaders and bonafide superstars. Finest Additions which features 47 players who have switched teams in ’96, Finest Prodigies which features 45 best up-and-coming players, and Finest Sterling with 39 top stars. In addition to the cards’ special borders, each card will also have either “common,” “uncommon,” or “rare” written within the numbering box on the card backs to let collectors know which type of card they hold.

6 cards per pack
24 Packs per box

Refractors
Bronze 1:12
Silver 1:48
Gold 1:288


Hope this helps!

Scott

Estil

I would buy me a copy of the 2006 Beckett Baseball Almanac if I could afford one right now; it looks like an awesome book; unless of course, someone wants to be a secret Santa or something for me. I got some really sweet spare 1995 Fleer insert sets I could give in exchange.

I have the 2000 edition of their regular annual baseball card price guide (which I heard isn't really worth it now and was basically made obsolete by the almanac) that lists little histories of each years' Finest sets; should I post those first and let the rest of you add to them facts and such that are not included in Beckett's guide?

Also, could someone show me front AND back scans of what the G/S/B cards in 1996 & 1997 Finest look like? And are either set numbered by G/S/B?

Estil

I also want to know more about how they did the Finest sets from 1998-present. Since they quit doing that very clever G/S/B set format they did in 1996 & 1997, I just wondered about going on to 1998 onward. I also take it Finest is no longer Topps' super duper premiere set anymore, right?