1994 Topps Print Code Variations

Grimster · August 16, 2015 12:09PM

Going through my cards this weekend I found some interesting variations on some 1994 Topps cards. Any idea on how scarce these really are? Baseballcardpedia doesn't give too much info...

1994 Topps - Baseballcardpedia

"1994 Topps has print code variations that are very scarce. All cards from series one that don't have a letter code on back (A,B,C,D,E,F), can also be found with a code."

Scans of my cards with and without the print code on the back...

Any thoughts?

Thanks

DanBessette · August 16, 2015 12:38PM

Interesting. LarkinCollector and junkwaxgems would be the best people to give your more info on those. Best of luck!

bishop · August 16, 2015 10:51PM

Dylan/ Jacksoncoupage/ junkwagems has a web site and it does have a section on 94 Topps. Just search for "junk wax gems"

LarkinCollector · August 17, 2015 12:43AM

<< Dylan/ Jacksoncoupage/ junkwagems has a web site and it does have a section on 94 Topps. Just search for "junk wax gems" >>

Link I don't know any more on the 94T than what he's already posted. Congrats, it looks like you have found quite a few additional. Do you happen to have the #102 w/name & position in red?

TNP777 · August 17, 2015 2:51AM

Kyle, that link isn't good. Is this the one you were looking for?

I'd be interested in seeing a master list for these variations. Butler is in Series 1, but I don't know if he has the variation available. Seems to me that I've asked this question before, but I don't remember what I was told.

I sent a PM to jacksoncoupage over on FCB. I think he's the owner of the site you mentioned. I'll report back if he has any further info.

LarkinCollector · August 17, 2015 3:02AM

<< Kyle, that link isn't good. Is this the one you were looking for? >>

Yep, fixed the one in my original post as well, https always gets me

I sent Dylan a PM on here as well, saw him posting in the BST recently.

Grimster · August 17, 2015 11:00PM

<< 

<< Dylan/ Jacksoncoupage/ junkwagems has a web site and it does have a section on 94 Topps. Just search for "junk wax gems" >>

Link I don't know any more on the 94T than what he's already posted. Congrats, it looks like you have found quite a few additional. Do you happen to have the #102 w/name & position in red? >>

You know, I want to say I do remember pulling a couple of those Delino DeShields with the red name and position, but I didn't keep any. At the time I wasn't really concerned with these error variations and just wanted to hang onto the stars / superstars.

Pretty neat coming across these variations 20+ years after the set has been released.

bishop · August 17, 2015 11:23PM

junkwaxgems · August 18, 2015 3:10AM

Yes, I figured out the formula to these a couple of years ago.

A and B sheet cards are commonly found without codes. The rare version is the coded type.

C and D sheet cards are commonly found with codes. The rare version is the missing code type.

They are very rare, at least as of today...you never know if thousands will suddenly show up for sale. But to date, these are among the rarest junk-era Topps variations.

OP: Would you care to share the distribution method? What packaging type they were found in? I have opened every type, including factory sets and all had the common versions.

Also, as far as I know, these variations only affect series 1 cards.

Grimster · August 18, 2015 5:04AM

<< Yes, I figured out the formula to these a couple of years ago.

A and B sheet cards are commonly found without codes. The rare version is the coded type.

C and D sheet cards are commonly found with codes. The rare version is the missing code type.

They are very rare, at least as of today...you never know if thousands will suddenly show up for sale. But to date, these are among the rarest junk-era Topps variations.

OP: Would you care to share the distribution method? What packaging type they were found in? I have opened every type, including factory sets and all had the common versions.

Also, as far as I know, these variations only affect series 1 cards. >>

I opened a 1994 Topps Series 1 case (20 boxes....15 cards per pack...2 gold per pack). I can do you one better than just a description...here is a thread I made on blowout showing the break

Link to Thread

LarkinCollector · August 18, 2015 5:29AM

So it looks like Retail boxes were the source of these variations and I don't see any available for sale.

TNP777 · August 18, 2015 5:43AM

Okay. So do the variations follow through to the Gold and Spanish parallels?

I looked through my Butler dupes box and found just one '94 dupe. Of course it had the print letter (C). If anyone feels like looking through their dupes and checking #172 for a Butler without the print letter, I'd be thankful.

LarkinCollector · August 18, 2015 6:13AM

<< Okay. So do the variations follow through to the Gold and Spanish parallels?

I looked through my Butler dupes box and found just one '94 dupe. Of course it had the print letter (C). If anyone feels like looking through their dupes and checking #172 for a Butler without the print letter, I'd be thankful. >>

Already checked COMC for you, but have no idea where my 94 dupes are at this point.

junkwaxgems · August 18, 2015 8:48AM

After looking at a bunch of loose 1994 Topps series one 12-card packs, I have noticed a wrapper variation that most likely is NOT related to these but odd nonetheless:

Version 1: Has black shadow behind text on front (1994, "picture cards" etc)

Version 2: Has full black border around text on front (1994, "picture cards" etc)

EDIT:

Also, it looks like there may be similar box variations:

1994 Topps Series 1 12-ct pack box - Yellow Text Shadow

1994 Topps Series 1 12-ct pack box - Blue/Gray Text Shadow

olb31 · August 18, 2015 11:49PM

do these variations include the "gold" cards as well?

TNP777 · August 18, 2015 11:54PM

<< 

<< Okay. So do the variations follow through to the Gold and Spanish parallels?

I looked through my Butler dupes box and found just one '94 dupe. Of course it had the print letter (C). If anyone feels like looking through their dupes and checking #172 for a Butler without the print letter, I'd be thankful. >>

Already checked COMC for you, but have no idea where my 94 dupes are at this point. >>

Ha!

Thanks, Kyle. I appreciate you looking. I headed there right after posting yesterday. I might email some of the sellers on Sportlots and see if they're willing to look.

Grimster · August 19, 2015 12:02AM

<< do these variations include the "gold" cards as well? >>

I don't know. I don't have any gold cards that are also variations. Not saying they DONT exist....but ya...

junkwaxgems · August 19, 2015 1:28AM

<< do these variations include the "gold" cards as well? >>

I don't think so. But not 100% sure. There is an old forum post on Beckett boards or possibly the FCB board where a McGwire collector with the handle Onionring9 posted his cards (he actually discovered these code variations) and I believe the general consensus was that the gold parallel doesn't exist with this variation.

The gold card are printed on separate sheets (hence the lack of Topps logo and name on the fronts which gets replaced by stamped foil. That said, the OP should be able to confirm by checking any gold parallel cards from the A or B sheets and seeing if they have the letter codes.

Grimster · August 25, 2015 7:55AM

I emailed PSA to see if they will slab these cards noting the variations. Here is their response:

"Thank you very much for providing this information. I have forwarded these details and will respond within 5-10 Business Days to confirm whether our research department can create specs for these items."

So in a couple of weeks we will see if PSA will slab these or not. I'm not holding my breath, but it should be interesting.

LarkinCollector · August 25, 2015 8:04AM

<< I emailed PSA to see if they will slab these cards noting the variations. Here is their response:

"Thank you very much for providing this information. I have forwarded these details and will respond within 5-10 Business Days to confirm whether our research department can create specs for these items."

So in a couple of weeks we will see if PSA will slab these or not. I'm not holding my breath, but it should be interesting. >>

They won't do it for other sets with sheet code variations (91 & 92 Bowman, 88 Topps Big, 92 Stadium Club, etc.), so I wouldn't expect them to for these, but good luck

Heck they won't even recognize 87 Donruss factory vs. wax where the backs are rotated 180 degrees or the splatter/border differences from other years.

1994 Topps Print Code Variations

Comments