2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variations Guide
As usual, the 2020 Topps Archives Baseball variations take several forms in the throwback-styled set.
Although the 2020 Topps Archives Baseball checklist contains the full lineup of variations, the guide below offers handy tips for spotting the various SP/SSP cards.
2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variations Set Details / Odds
Normally, Archives features a handful of variations from each subset and then a special parallel specific to the subset. This year is a little different. Just like in 2019, the total includes 10 main super short print (SSP) options. However, they awkwardly break down to five cards from 1955, four cards from 1974, and one card from 2002. The listed odds for these cards is 1:265 packs.
For whatever reason, Topps only focused on the 1955 subset for the extra elements. Collectors can find miniature versions for all 100 cards at 1:100 packs. Beyond the obvious size difference, these minis feature a 55M- prefix for the card number.
In addition, there is the subtle image variation for the entire 1955 subset, also falling 1:100 packs. The '55 design layout includes two images on the front, with one being a zoomed-in profile image and the other being a full-body action image. These variations switch out the little image that has a facsimile signature over it.
1955 Topps Full Body Image Variation SP
1955 Base
1955 Full Body Variation
Five players from this subset add black-and-white photo SSP versions, as well. Again, this only applies to the smaller, full-body shot.
In a nod to cardboard history, the 1974 variations provide a reminder of 1974 Topps Baseball. Ahead of that season, it looked like the San Diego Padres were relocating to Washington, DC. Although that didn't ultimately happen, Topps had already noted Washington "Nat'l Lea." on the first printing of Padres cards. In 2020, this is honored with the "Nat'l Lea." error designation along with the wrong city for a few of the Washington and San Diego players.
2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variation Codes
Because of the decision to change the tiny images on all 100 cards in the 1955 set, plus offering another 10 SSP cards, the CMP codes are extremely helpful. Most collectors know the drill, but just flip over the card and look at the small line of numbers at the bottom. You want the last line with CODE#CMP. Compare the final three digits and voila.
2020 Topps Archives Variation CMP Codes Breakdown
- 1955 (#1-100) - ends in #468
- 1974 (#101-200) - ends in #475
- 2002 (#201-300) - ends in #492
- 1955 - ends in #489
- 1955 B/W - ends in #490
- 1955 Mini - ends in #512
- 1974 - ends in #491
- 2002 - ends in #482
Of course, there are many other CMP codes on the Topps Archives cards, but these are the only ones worth pointing out since the rest are for all the inserts.
Also, the base Justin Upton card (#161) is not a variation. They are all like this. Topps only lists "Angels" as the full team name on cards rather than Los Angeles Angels, so that's why the city info is missing.
2020 Topps Archives Variations 1955 Full Body Image SP Checklist
2 Paul Goldschmidt - St. Louis Cardinals
3 Charlie Blackmon - Colorado Rockies
4 Nick Senzel - Cincinnati Reds
5 Steve Carlton - Philadelphia Phillies
6 Aristides Aquino - Cincinnati Reds
7 Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels
8 Kyle Schwarber - Chicago Cubs
9 Joey Gallo - Texas Rangers
10 Mariano Rivera - New York Yankees
11 Rickey Henderson - Oakland Athletics
12 Marcus Stroman - New York Mets
13 Seth Brown - Oakland Athletics
14 Harmon Killebrew - Minnesota Twins
15 Albert Pujols - Los Angeles Angels
16 Willi Castro - Detroit Tigers
17 Jorge Soler - Kansas City Royals
18 Dylan Cease - Chicago White Sox
19 Pete Alonso - New York Mets
20 Whit Merrifield - Kansas City Royals
21 Gary Sanchez - New York Yankees
22 Marcus Semien - Oakland Athletics
23 Francisco Lindor - Cleveland Indians
24 Xander Bogaerts - Boston Red Sox
25 Jackie Robinson - Brooklyn Dodgers
26 Keston Hiura - Milwaukee Brewers
27 Mookie Betts - Los Angeles Dodgers
28 Aaron Hicks - New York Yankees
29 Robin Yount - Milwaukee Brewers
30 George Brett - Kansas City Royals
31 Alex Bregman - Houston Astros
32 Al Kaline - Detroit Tigers
33 Will Smith - Los Angeles Dodgers
34 Brusdar Graterol - Los Angeles Dodgers
35 Tim Lincecum - San Francisco Giants
36 Shane Bieber - Cleveland Indians
37 Kyle Lewis - Seattle Mariners
38 Jose Altuve - Houston Astros
39 Michael Brantley - Houston Astros
40 Sam Hilliard - Colorado Rockies
41 Deion Sanders - Cincinnati Reds
42 Jeff McNeil - New York Mets
43 Aaron Civale - Cleveland Indians
44 Lucas Giolito - Chicago White Sox
45 Bo Bichette - Toronto Blue Jays
46 Gary Carter - New York Mets
47 Goose Gossage - New York Yankees
48 J.D. Martinez - Boston Red Sox
49 George Kell - Detroit Tigers
50 Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels
52 Catfish Hunter - Oakland Athletics
53 Lou Boudreau - Cleveland Indians
54 Max Muncy - Los Angeles Dodgers
55 Jose Berrios - Minnesota Twins
56 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays
57 Ozzie Albies - Atlanta Braves
58 Tim Anderson - Chicago White Sox
59 Will Clark - San Francisco Giants
60 Carl Yastrzemski - Boston Red Sox
61 Alex Young - Arizona Diamondbacks
62 Nomar Garciaparra - Boston Red Sox
63 Bryan Reynolds - Pittsburgh Pirates
64 Joey Votto - Cincinnati Reds
65 Sean Murphy - Oakland Athletics
66 J.T. Realmuto - Philadelphia Phillies
67 Kenta Maeda - Minnesota Twins
68 Jack Flaherty - St. Louis Cardinals
69 Trevor Bauer - Cincinnati Reds
70 Jim Thome - Cleveland Indians
71 Zack Greinke - Houston Astros
72 Isan Diaz - Miami Marlins
73 Ryne Sandberg - Chicago Cubs
74 Ralph Kiner - Pittsburgh Pirates
75 Mike Mussina - Baltimore Orioles
76 Larry Doby - Cleveland Indians
77 Paul DeJong - St. Louis Cardinals
78 Gavin Lux - Los Angeles Dodgers
79 Matt Chapman - Oakland Athletics
80 Ramon Laureano - Oakland Athletics
81 Corey Seager - Los Angeles Dodgers
82 Luis Aparicio - Chicago White Sox
83 Tom Glavine - Atlanta Braves
84 Amed Rosario - New York Mets
85 Jake Fraley - Seattle Mariners
86 Raisel Iglesias - Cincinnati Reds
87 Juan Soto - Washington Nationals
88 Derek Jeter - New York Yankees
89 Nolan Arenado - Colorado Rockies
90 Nolan Ryan - Texas Rangers
91 Jordan Yamamoto - Miami Marlins
92 Matt Carpenter - St. Louis Cardinals
93 Mallex Smith - Seattle Mariners
94 Charlie Morton - Tampa Bay Rays
95 A.J. Puk - Oakland Athletics
96 DJ LeMahieu - New York Yankees
97 Monte Irvin - New York Giants
98 Wade Boggs - Boston Red Sox
99 Shin-Soo Choo - Texas Rangers
100 Hank Aaron - Milwaukee Braves
2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variations SSP Checklist
6 Aristides Aquino - Cincinnati Reds
7 Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels
56 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays
78 Gavin Lux - Los Angeles Dodgers
100 Hank Aaron - Milwaukee Braves
105 Chris Paddack - Washington Nat’l Leg.
163 Max Scherzer - San Diego Nat’l Leg.
185 Fernando Tatis Jr. - Washington Nat’l Leg.
194 Victor Robles - San Diego Nat’l Leg.
2002 Topps
234 Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals
2020 Topps Archives Baseball Variations SSP Gallery
Click on the listings to buy specific cards on eBay or check completed sales values.
6 Aristides Aquino - Cincinnati Reds
7 Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels
56 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays
78 Gavin Lux - Los Angeles Dodgers
100 Hank Aaron - Milwaukee Braves
105 Chris Paddack - Washington Nat'l Leg.
163 Max Scherzer - San Diego Nat’l Leg.
185 Fernando Tatis Jr. - Washington Nat’l Leg.
194 Victor Robles - San Diego Nat’l Leg.
234 Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals
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