2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations Guide
2015 Topps Heritage Baseball isn't shy about variations. Collectors have five different types to watch for as they're going through their packs and boxes. Some of the 2015 Topps Heritage variations are nods to the 1966 set the product revolves around. Others themes have been used with the retro brand before. And then there are the new Traded Player variations that will have you looking closely at the vital stats to see if one small line of text has been changed.
The five short print variation themes in 2015 Topps Heritage Baseball are: Errors, Traded Player, Action Image, Color Swap and Throwback Uniform.
While the 2015 Topps Heritage Baseball variations master checklist might not be the biggest on record, that doesn't mean that it's any less daunting. So we're going to do our best to break it all down and make finding them as easy as possible.
Code Cracking
For starters, the easiest way to spot some of the variation short prints is on the back of the card in the fine print. Like a lot of other sets from Topps, there's a small code at the end that connects to different types of cards. The last two digits in this code are the key. Here's what to look for in the base cards and the various types of variations:
- Base - end in 53
- Base SP (#426-500) - end in 58
- Errors - end in 59
- Traded Player - end in 60
- Action Image - end in 62
- Color Swap - end in 63
- Throwback Uniform - end in 61
Error Variations
1966 Topps Baseball has plenty of quirks to draw from to act as inspiration for Error Variations. These weren't mentioned on the final sell sheet, so it will take a bit of time to build a complete list. But they do exist. Everything from wrong birthdays to misspelled names to wrong photos are among the possibilities.
2015 Topps Heritage Error Variations are inserted 1:840 hobby packs.
Traded Player Variations
Landing 1:2,310 hobby packs, Traded Player Variations are among the toughest to pull. And they're not the easiest cards to see either. 1966 Topps Heritage Baseball has versions of a couple of cards that mention players, such as Bob Uecker, being swapped in the write-up portion of the card. These original cards also have versions that don't mention the trade. The same sort or idea is used here, but you need to check the vital stats.
Traded Player Variations switch out the bottom line of text ("Home" for regular versions) for a new "Acquired" line.
Action Image
Action Images are some of the easiest to spot. First off, you don't need to look on the back to see them. Many base card images use player portraits. And those that don't have players sitting around, so they're almost portraits.
Action Images use an in-game shot instead.
 
These are also the most common of the 2015 Topps Heritage Baseball variations, falling approximately one per hobby box.
Color Swap
The old color switch-er-oo returns in 2015 Topps Heritage. Look to the top and bottom banners to see that the colors are correct. Color Swap versions have black banners.
While they're relatively tough to pull at 1:140 hobby packs, they're on the easier to find side compared to most of the others. That said, with 25 in the set, getting them all is more challenging.
Throwback Variations
Along with Action Images, Throwbacks can be spotted from the card front. They show players in "Turn Back the Clock" Night jerseys that are replicas from the past. As with past years, these are extremely tough to pull at 1:3,310 hobby packs. Combine that with a 20-card checklist and it's easy to see that individual cards are going to be very tough.
Here's a detailed master checklist of all the confirmed variations. Click on the tabs at the top to get a detailed look at each type.
2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations Master Checklist
1 Buster Posey - Color Swap
10 Julio Teheran - Throwback
25 Jose Abreu - Action
25 Jose Abreu - Color Swap
30 Brandon Phillips - Error
36 Sean Doolittle - Error
68 George Springer - Throwback
70 Yoenis Cespedes - Traded
74 Jarrod Parker - Error
86 Norichika Aoki - Throwback
90 Jonathan Schoop - Throwback
100 Clayton Kershaw - Action
100 Clayton Kershaw - Color Swap
110 Anthony Rizzo - Throwback
126 Chris Tillman - Error
175 Josh Donaldson - Traded
192 Kole Calhoun - Error
200 Freddie Freeman - Color Swap
201 Jason Heyward - Traded
212 Matt Carpenter - Throwback
250 Johnny Cueto - Color Swap
260 Madison Bumgarner - Action
260 Madison Bumgarner - Throwback
266 Lonnie Chisenhall - Error
268 Nick Castellanos - Throwback
300 Andrew McCutchen - Action
300 Andrew McCutchen - Color Swap
310 Adam Jones - Action
310 Adam Jones - Color Swap
325 Michael Bourn - Throwback
331 Henderson Alvarez - Throwback
350 Masahiro Tanaka - Action
350 Masahiro Tanaka - Color Swap
365 Brett Gardner - Error
389 Shin-Soo Choo - Throwback
400 Joe Mauer - Throwback
426 Giancarlo Stanton - Action
426 Giancarlo Stanton - Color Swap
428 Evan Longoria - Action
428 Evan Longoria - Color Swap
436 Justin Upton - Color Swap
440 Bryce Harper - Action
440 Bryce Harper - Color Swap
442 Robinson Cano - Throwback
444 Jose Bautista - Action
444 Jose Bautista - Color Swap
445 Jonathan Lucroy - Color Swap
447 Chris Sale - Action
447 Chris Sale - Color Swap
447 Chris Sale - Wrong Photo
450 Yasiel Puig - Action
453 Troy Tulowitzki - Color Swap
455 Jose Altuve - Action
455 Jose Altuve - Color Swap
455 Jose Altuve - Throwback
459 David Wright - Color Swap
462 Felix Hernandez - Action
462 Felix Hernandez - Color Swap
467 Paul Goldschmidt - Action
471 Alex Gordon - Throwback
472 Craig Kimbrel - Action
473 Adrian Gonzalez - Action
475 Miguel Cabrera - Action
475 Miguel Cabrera - Color Swap
475 Miguel Cabrera - Throwback
480 David Ortiz - Action
480 David Ortiz - Color Swap
483 Adam Wainwright - Action
484 Corey Kluber - Color Swap
491 Victor Martinez - Action
491 Victor Martinez - Throwback
492 Jeff Samardzija - Color Swap
494 Starlin Castro - Throwback
497 Yu Darvish - Action
497 Yu Darvish - Throwback
498 Stephen Strasburg - Action
500 Mike Trout - Action
500 Mike Trout - Color Swap
500 Mike Trout - Throwback
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2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Error Variations
While Topps hasn't confirmed the exact number of Error Variations, we suspect this list is complete.
30 Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
Base: 158 hits in 2013, "2B'man records..." on back
Error: 163 hits in 2013, "2B records..." on back
36 Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics
Base: stats on back end in 2014
Error: stats on back end in 2013
74 Jarrod Parker, Oakland Athletics
Base: born in 1988
Error Variation: born in 1989
126 Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles
Base: "The 26-year-old was a key..."
Error: "The left-hander was a key..."
192 Kole Calhoun, Los Angeles Angels
Base: born in 1987
Error Variation: born in 1991
266 Lonnie Chisenhall, Cleveland Indians
Base: Last named spelled correctly (Chisenhall) on back.
Error Variation: Last name spelled "Chisenhal" on back.
365 Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
Base: born in 1983
Error Variation: born in 1980
447 Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
Base: photo of Chris Sale
Error: photo of Jose Quintana
It appears that card #62 Lance Lynn is an error (wrong photo) but it is not an intentional variation short print. It should be considered a base card.
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2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Traded Player Variations
While Topps hasn't confirmed the exact number of Traded Player Variations, we suspect this list is complete.
70 Yoenis Cespedes, Detroit Tigers
201 Jason Heyward, St. Louis Cardinals
175 Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays
387 Shelby Miller, Atlanta Braves
2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Action Image Variations
1 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
25 Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
100 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
260 Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
300 Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
310 Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
350 Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
426 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
428 Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
440 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
444 Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
447 Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
450 Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
455 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
462 Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
467 Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
472 Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
473 Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
475 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
480 David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
483 Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
491 Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
497 Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
498 Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
500 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
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2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Color Swap Variations
1 Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
25 Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
100 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
200 Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
250 Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds
300 Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
310 Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
350 Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
426 Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
428 Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
436 Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves
440 Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
442 Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
444 Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
445 Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers
447 Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
453 Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
455 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
459 David Wright, New York Mets
462 Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
475 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
480 David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
484 Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians
492 Jeff Samardzija, Chicago White Sox
500 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
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2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Throwback Uniform Variations
We're in the process of adding more images.
Click here to shop for 2015 Topps Heritage Baseball Throwback Variations on eBay.
10 Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
68 George Springer, Houston Astros
86 Norichika Aoki, Kansas City Royals
90 Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles
110 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
212 Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
260 Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
268 Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers
325 Michael Bourn, Cleveland Indians
331 Henderson Alvarez, Miami Marlins
389 Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers
400 Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
442 Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
455 Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
471 Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
475 Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
491 Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
494 Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs
497 Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
500 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Kyle Furuuchi | Mar 6, 2015 | Reply
I was wondering if there is an Ornage Stain Variation as well.
I cracked open 2 boxes one of them was a hot box and it had a Felix Hernandez with a large Orange Spill Stain on the back with no other indication of orange anywhere on the card.
Ryan Cracknell | Mar 6, 2015 | Reply
Kyle Furuuchi » Sounds more like a printing defect.
Garciatheone | Mar 6, 2015 | Reply
I believe #358 Shane Greene is a Traded Player? As wasn’t he traded from NY to Detroit? Mine says nothing of a trade but has NY in the stats & Tigers as the team. Hope this helps and I’m right!
Ryan Cracknell | Mar 6, 2015 | Reply
The Traded player variations have the traded line on the back. All have a regular version as well with their hometown listed in place of the traded line.
Garciatheone | Mar 6, 2015 | Reply
So those are not considered SP or errors? Cause I’ve got a Donaldson as well, that same way! Thanks
Garciatheone | Mar 6, 2015 | Reply
Sorry dumb question. I misread what you wrote. So the Donaldson is a base.
Kathleen savage | Mar 7, 2015 | Reply
Just opened a box and each pack had a purple chrome card…is this a hot box?
Mike Elliott | Mar 8, 2015 | Reply
Bought a retail hanger pack today- Snake Eyes!!! All cards were a bust. Heritage is too large of a set considering Topps Series 1 just came out 5 weeks ago. There should be an insert card, “Better Luck Next Time Sucker!”
Brady H | Mar 8, 2015 | Reply
There is also another base short print you are missing. I pulled a Zack Greinke card number 468 that has the code at the bottom ending in 63. Thanks so much for that little hint. Helped so much!
John W | Mar 12, 2015 | Reply
Just bought 1 retail pack to get a feel for the design. Pulled a Hank Aaron/Jason Heyward Dual Relic /66 and a high number SP. I win.
Mike S | Mar 15, 2015 | Reply
Aroldis Chapman’s Home is: N/A???
Error, or he has no official home?
Luke | Mar 16, 2015 | Reply
I pulled a Strasburg Bazooka Mini out of a 2015 Topps Heritage Target blaster box. The bottom left corner is defective. It looks like s grater sheared off the corner. Not much, maybe a couple of milimeters. Distinct scalloped grater marks on both sides that bevel down to a point. Anyone else seen this?
Dennis | Mar 16, 2015 | Reply
I bought retail before I could get my hobby case. The retails SUCKED. The best card I got was a Bumgardner Chrome Ref #/566. $180 for the 8 blaster boxes and really nothing to show for it.
But I did get my hobby case and have gone through the first 4 boxes. Got a Maris/Jeter bat card #/66 and a Miguel Cabrera Throw Back Uniform SSP. So Im doing really good on the hobby side of the house so far. No ink yet, hoping for something really good…
Tim | Mar 16, 2015 | Reply
I used to put the entire set together years back, but it became too cumbersome. Now I just dabble and sell the SP’s. Thanks for the information, it has helped, year in and year out.
Josh | Mar 16, 2015 | Reply
The Evan Longoria SP listed as an action variation shows his position as outfield on the front. Is this a variation of the Action SP, or an actual topps error?
Wayne | Mar 24, 2015 | Reply
Take a look at card #226. There is no “Heritage” logo on the front of the card. This may be another unintentional error.
Dave | Apr 12, 2015 | Reply
so what is considered as the case hits in this set?
Victor | Apr 26, 2015 | Reply
What are codes:
CMP012286 & CMP012287 ?
bryce | May 1, 2015 | Reply
I was looking up the sp for the 2015 topps heritage variations an the site showed me master checklist an i have one i just got its the first packs I’ve bought of the topps heritage an i found one that’s not on your list its ian kinsler number 457 code cmp012258 now u can add it to the list thanks for all the information on this site without it i wounldnt even know how for find the variations thanks
Ben | Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
I opened a 2015 topps heritage pack and pulled a Ryan Zimmerman card that has two small white spots on the back – almost like paint specs – and a small black line that looks like a pen mark. Are these likely to be printing defects? Thank you!
Ryan Cracknell | Jun 11, 2015 | Reply
Ben » Yes, sounds like it.
John | Jun 16, 2015 | Reply
I pulled a Trout/Cabrera Power Plus #52 card which has a small gray stain on the back that is in the shape of a hat. Anyone seen these? Probably a printing defect by it’s so perfectly shaped and distinct – just thought I’d ask.
Fat Pappy | Sep 27, 2015 | Reply
I popped a numbered card with the players jersey number, ie: 28/199. Regular player not a superstar. Traditionally how much more will a numbered card bring if it matches the players jersey number or is the 1st or last 1 in the run. Ie: 1/199 or 199/199. Appx: Double, triple 10% more ect.
Any help would be appreciated.
Fat Pappy
jeff newell | Nov 11, 2015 | Reply
please let me know what the error is on the 2015 topps series one base ball card jose Abreu 176
A. Silverstein | Mar 20, 2016 | Reply
Why doesn’t Topps put numbers on the ad panel box loaders so one can build a set easier?