2018 Topps Archives Baseball Variations Guide
2018 Topps Archives Baseball features two of Topps' favorite things: retro designs and short-printed image variations. The 2018 Topps Archives Baseball variations combine both aspects for several key players in each of the three main subsets.
Likely due to the huge release date gap between the Retail and Hobby formats, Topps actually disclosed the variations on the 2018 Topps Archives Baseball checklist. At just nine cards, this set is smaller than expected, but given the excessive nature of variations in other sets, this is not the worst thing.
Although the multi-subset base lineup can seem a little more confusing, the Topps Archives Baseball variations are simply an image change on the same design. The 1959 set also capitalizes the names. Retail odds for the variations are 1:106 packs, and they are a case-hit for Hobby.
2018 Topps Archives Baseball Variation Codes
Need another way to identify the 2018 Topps Archives variations? Flip the card over and look for the small CODE#CMP number at the bottom of the card (for 1959) or to the far right (for 1977 and 1981). Depending on how the final three digits end, you will know exactly what you are dealing with. While the base cards each have different codes, the variations all use the same number.
- 1959 - ends in #307
- 1977 - ends in #314
- 1981 - ends in #320
- 1959 - ends in #326
- 1977 - ends in #326
- 1981 - ends in #326
2018 Topps Archives Baseball Subset Parallels
Although they are not variations in the modern sense, 2018 Topps Archives does present unique versions of the three subsets from the base set. Each option only applies to the 100-card subset that is noted. Since these all carry the normal base code, you must spot the difference on the card to know you have one.
1959 Signature Omission / 1959 Venezuelan (#1-100)
The 1959 subset actually has two choices. The Signature Omission parallel is fairly obvious as it just removes the facsimile autograph from the card's front. The Venezuelan aspect is a bit more subtle, changing the back color of the card from white-ish to gray-ish. As a result, many collectors call them "Gray Backs" or "Grey Backs."
1977 Signature Omission (#101-200)
Again, the Signature Omission parallel for 1977 is easier to spot.
1981 Topps Logo Swap Parallels (#201-300)
And, lastly, 1981 brings a Topps Logo Swap edition. This features a change that replaces the generic Topps text with a more distinct, vintage-style logo.
As far as the odds, we only have the retails info right now. 1959 (No Sig and Gray Back) and 1977 (No Sig) are lumped together at 1:48 packs, while 1981 Logo Swap is 1:96 packs.
2018 Topps Archives Baseball Variations SP Checklist
31 Aaron Judge - New York Yankees
50 Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels RC
100 Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs
1977 Topps
108 Amed Rosario - New York Mets RC
150 Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers
200 Derek Jeter - New York Yankees
201 Roberto Clemente - Pittsburgh Pirates
202 Ernie Banks - Chicago Cubs
300 Bryce Harper - Washington Nationals
2018 Topps Archives Baseball Variations Gallery
Click on the listings to buy specific cards on eBay. More images will be added.
31 Aaron Judge - New York Yankees
50 Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels
100 Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs
108 Amed Rosario - New York Mets
150 Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers
200 Derek Jeter - New York Yankees
201 Roberto Clemente - Pittsburgh Pirates
202 Ernie Banks - Chicago Cubs
300 Bryce Harper - Washington Nationals
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James C. | Aug 16, 2018 | Reply
I believe I pulled an ’81 Logo Swap variation of Catfish Hunter, though the code is the same as the other ’81’s. See image link attached.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1776/44029431352_57436e198c_z_d.jpg
Trey Treutel | Aug 16, 2018 | Reply
Yep, looks like it. It’s a parallel so the code would not be different from the base. Can you email a straight image so I can add it to the site? trey@cardboardconnection.com
djdavyb | Aug 27, 2018 | Reply
Hi Trey,
Hey, whats up with the flags that show what position they play, some of them are blank, they don’t have any print on them showing said posistion? Anything on that? Thanks as always!
Dave
Trey Treutel | Aug 27, 2018 | Reply
Not sure. Likely just a printing error.
Christopher A. Hasen | Sep 17, 2018 | Reply
Hey quick question. I think I may have purchase a Juan Soto grayback thinking it was the base rookie and I think the code is the same for the base and grayback. Can you confirm? Is grayback a parallel or formal variation?
Thx,
Chris
Trey Treutel | Sep 17, 2018 | Reply
It’s a parallel.