2002 Topps Traded Baseball

Hank36 · January 21, 2013 1:06AM

I'm interested in this set, but I'm not clear on the value/scarcity of the cards. A survey of the web indicates either that the chrome cards are worth less than the base cards, or that the base cards are too low-velocity to be listed as singles. For example, a chrome complete set is listed on Ebay right now with a BIN price of $79.97, while the bidding on a base card set is at $152.50 with five days to go. The chrome cards are simply parallels of the base set...right? Or not?

This disparity seems to be reflected in the shortprint cards (1T-110T) as well. Choosing at random 110T, Ron Gardenhire, I'm finding listings on Ebay, Sportlots and Beckett for the Traded Gold, Chrome Traded , Chrome Traded Refractor, and Chrome Traded Black Refractor (which will set you back $4.20) variations--but if I just want the base card, my only option appears to be a 2002 Twins complete set for $23.

It just doesn't make much sense.

EAsports · January 21, 2013 2:00AM

If I recall correctly, you would only get one or two veteran "base" cards in a pack. (i.e. two base cards, four chrome and four rookies per pack)

Chrome veterans weren't short printed, either.

In short, 1-110T were a pain in the ass to get.

ElToroLoco · January 21, 2013 4:29AM

Topps likes to change things around.I just bought a 2009 Topps Updates&Highlights box with Heritage Hi numbers.....There were about 20 Update base cards in the box.

Hank36 · January 21, 2013 11:08AM

Well...I went to a local newsstand and thumbed through one of the monthly price guides. It took some squinting, but yes, the 2002 Chrome Traded cards are only worth a fraction of the non-chrome version. I'm not sure what the thinking was--I thought it was the prospect of either (a) the rookie card of a possible Hall of Famer, or (b) a shiny "premium" card that goosed sales, not the prospect of a regular cardboard Ron Gardenhire manager card. Weird.

Did Topps ever try this (short-printing base cards but not the chrome parallel) with any other sets?

frankhardy · January 21, 2013 12:04PM

I remember buying this set for my Topps base and traded set run (presently: 2012 down to 1972). The 2002 Topps Traded Set was probably the most expensive Traded Set I bought. The 2001 (with Pujols) was close. As stated earlier, it has to do with the short printed base cards.

One sold on November 26th for $203.

2001 Topps Traded sets range from $83 to $140.

2002 Topps Traded Baseball

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