2017 TOPPS GOLD LABEL BASEBALL ($54.95 per box) ARRIVES WEDNESDAY AT SPORTS CARDS PLUS

From beckett

2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball (only $54.95 per box) is back after a much successful return to the hobby in 2016.  Its relatively small checklist (only 100 cards) means you only get the top stars and rookies in Gold Label. With three tiers of base cards, it has some complexities to it with challenges for those looking for rare cards of your favorite players.

As with the previous year’s release, each box has a Framed Autograph.

BASE SET

The 2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball  base set has 100 players, each has three different cards: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. This makes for 300 total cards. The checklist includes both current and retired players.

This set up gives collectors a few different options on how to approach it. The 100 Class 1 cards are the most common and considered the main portion of the release. But those looking for more of a challenge could tackle any of the tiers or all of them.

When the Gold Label brand debuted in the late 1990s, this was the same approach. Also consistent with the past is the fact that each base card has two different images. These pictures change for each tier.

Parallels come in four colors. Like the base cards, each tier is available in different quantities. Black are the most common with Class 1 cards falling every other pack. Class 2 Black are 1:6 packs while Class 3 Black are 1:20. All other parallels are numbered. These include Blue (Class 1 – /150, Class 2 – /99, Class 3 – /50), Red (Class 1 – /75, Class 2 – /50, Class 3 – /25), and Gold, which are all one-of-ones no matter the level.

AUTOGRAPHS

2017 Topps Gold Label Framed Autographs come with a gold border. Until Gold Label returned, Topps usually reserved these sorts of cards for high-end products or as extremely tough inserts in more affordable products.

Other than the frame, the general look of the autographs is similar to the base set.

While some signatures will be on-card, sales material for the set suggest stickers will also be in play.

Parallels include Black (/99 or less), Blue (/50 or less), Red (/25 or less) and Gold (1/1).

MEMORABILIA CARDS

Last year, Topps Gold Label didn’t have any memorabilia cards. 2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball adds some in the form of MLB Legend Relic cards. That said, they’re not exactly common. Legend Relics are a case hit, 1:16 boxes.

The only parallels are Black (/5) and Gold (1/1).

2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball is a hobby-only product. A retail version is not planned.

2017 Topps Gold Label Baseball at a glance:

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 5
Boxes per case: 16
Set size: 100 cards
Release date: September 20, 2017

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A HOBBY BOX:

• Autographs – 1
• Class 1 Black Parallels – 3
• Class 2 Black Parallels – 1