1998 Finest - Revision history

Stalegum: /* Insertion Ratios */

2025-09-25T20:22:14Z

Insertion Ratios

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:22, 25 September 2025
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	\|-		\|-
	\|Dual-Sided No-Protector Refractor\|\|150\|\|-\|\|1:24\|\|1:10		\|Dual-Sided No-Protector Refractor\|\|150\|\|-\|\|1:24\|\|1:10
			\|-
			\|Mystery Finest\|\|50\|\|-\|\|1:36\|\|1:15
			\|-
			\|Mystery Finest Refractor\|\|50\|\|-\|\|1:144\|\|1:64
	\|-		\|-
	\|Power Zone\|\|20\|\|-\|\|1:72\|\|1:32		\|Power Zone\|\|20\|\|-\|\|1:72\|\|1:32
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	\|-		\|-
	\|Centurions Refractor\|\|20\|\|75\|\|1:1020\|\|1:471		\|Centurions Refractor\|\|20\|\|75\|\|1:1020\|\|1:471
	\|-
	~~\|Mystery Finest\|\|50\|\|-\|\|1:36\|\|1:15~~
	\|-
	~~\|Mystery Finest Refractor\|\|50\|\|-\|\|1:144\|\|1:64~~
	\|}		\|}

Line 61:		Line 61:
	\|-		\|-
	\|No-Protector Refractor\|\|125\|\|-\|\|1:24\|\|1:10		\|No-Protector Refractor\|\|125\|\|-\|\|1:24\|\|1:10
			\|-
			\|Mystery Finest\|\|40\|\|-\|\|1:36\|\|1:15
			\|-
			\|Mystery Finest Refractor\|\|40\|\|-\|\|1:144\|\|1:64
	\|-		\|-
	\|Stadium Stars\|\|24\|\|-\|\|1:72\|\|1:32		\|Stadium Stars\|\|24\|\|-\|\|1:72\|\|1:32
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	\|-		\|-
	\|The Man Refractor\|\|20\|\|75\|\|1:793\|\|1:367		\|The Man Refractor\|\|20\|\|75\|\|1:793\|\|1:367
	\|-
	~~\|Mystery Finest\|\|40\|\|-\|\|1:36\|\|1:15~~
	\|-
	~~\|Mystery Finest Refractor\|\|40\|\|-\|\|1:144\|\|1:64~~
	\|}		\|}

Stalegum: /* Distribution */

2025-09-25T20:21:21Z

Distribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 25 September 2025
Line 7:		Line 7:
	=Distribution=		=Distribution=

	Hobby: 24 packs per box, 6 cards per pack (MSRP: $5).		Hobby: 24 packs per box, six cards per pack (MSRP: $5).

	HTA (Home Team Advantage/Jumbo): 12 packs per box, 13 cards per pack (MSRP: $10).		HTA (Home Team Advantage/Jumbo): Twelve packs per box, thirteen cards per pack (MSRP: $10).

	In Hobby boxes, inserts (Mystery Finest) and parallels (Refractors, No-Protectors, and No-Protector Refractors) were usually the 2nd card in the pack.		In Hobby boxes, inserts (Mystery Finest) and parallels (Refractors, No-Protectors, and No-Protector Refractors) were usually the 2nd card in the pack.

Linuxabuser: /* Centurions */

2024-06-27T11:36:47Z

Centurions

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:36, 27 June 2024
Line 158:		Line 158:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Centurions/C8/Mark-McGwire.jpg?id=8cca825c-d2d7-4d54-890a-c7ba7e018810&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Centurions/C8/Mark-McGwire.jpg?id=8cca825c-d2d7-4d54-890a-c7ba7e018810&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	Randomly inserted in Series One packs, cards from this 20-card set are each serial-numbered on back to 500 copies. Unfortunately, an unknown quantity of unnumbered Centurions made their way into the secondary market in 1999. It’s believed that these cards were quality control extras. To further compound this situation, some unscrupulous parties attempted to serial-number the cards. The fake cards have flat gold foil numbering and appear to be misaligned. The real cards have bright foil numbering.		Randomly inserted in Series One packs, cards from this 20-card set are each serial-numbered on back to 500 copies. Unfortunately, an unknown quantity of unnumbered Centurions made their way into the secondary market in 1999. It’s believed that these cards were quality control extras. To further compound this situation, some unscrupulous parties attempted to serial-number the cards. The fake cards have flat gold foil numbering and appear to be misaligned. The real cards have bright foil numbering. User tidel144 on Blowout Forums has [https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1265165 compiled a guide to compare aftermarket-stamped backdoor copies with legitimate copies].

	This set is also available in a Refractor parallel, serial-numbered to 75 copies. As with the base version, a number of serial-number-less Refractors have emerged over the years.		This set is also available in a Refractor parallel, serial-numbered to 75 copies. As with the base version, a number of serial-number-less Refractors have emerged over the years.

Stalegum: /* Mystery Finest */

2023-12-18T15:18:04Z

Mystery Finest

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:18, 18 December 2023
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	===Mystery Finest===		===Mystery Finest===

	~~Cards from this~~ 90-card set ~~feature color action photos of~~ top players on double-sided cards. Each player is matched with three different players on the opposite side ~~or another photo~~ of himself in each series. ~~Each side is~~ covered with ~~the Finest~~ opaque protector that must be ~~fully removed~~ on both sides.		This 90-card set features all the top players on double-sided cards. Each player is matched with three different players on the opposite side with a fourth card of himself on both sides in each series. Both sides of each card are covered with an opaque protector that must be peeled off to reveal the players on both sides -- hence the name "Mystery Finest."

	In the first series, 50 Mystery Finest cards were randomly inserted; while in Series Two, another 40 cards were produced. Unfortunately, Topps re-numbered the Series Two cards as its own distinct set, with a similar design and the same card numbering scheme. to distinguish between the two series ~~of Mystery Finest cards~~, all 50 Series One cards have a "wave" design, while the Series Two cards have an "arch."		In the first series, 50 Mystery Finest cards were randomly inserted; while in Series Two, another 40 cards were produced. Unfortunately, Topps sequentially-numbered the Series Two cards as its own distinct set, with a similar design and the same card numbering scheme (e.g. M1-M40). To distinguish between the two series, all 50 Series One cards have a "wave" design, while the Series Two cards have an "arch."

	Each card is also available as a Refractor~~, labeled~~ "~~Refractor~~".		Each card is also available as a Refractor and are sequentially-numbered with an "R" suffix.

	~~Some non-refractor Mystery Finest cards mistakenly have an R (refractor) printed next to the card number.~~

	====Series One====		====Series One====

Line 216:		Line 214:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Mystery-Finest-Series-1/M39/Andres-Galarraga.jpg?id=60f5d530-eb2d-4500-8223-35136ad827f2&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Mystery-Finest-Series-1/M39/Andres-Galarraga.jpg?id=60f5d530-eb2d-4500-8223-35136ad827f2&size=original&side=back&.jpg

			'''NOTE:''' For all 50 Series One cards, Topps mistakenly included the "R" suffix on some non-Refractor cards. Consequentially, Topps also forgot to print the "R" suffix on some Refractor parallels. This means all 50 Series One cards have four versions>

			* ERR: Base with "R" suffix.
			* ERR: Refractor without "R" suffix.
			* COR: Base without "R" suffix.
			* COR: Refractor with "R" suffix.

	<sql2wiki database="carddb">		<sql2wiki database="carddb">
	SELECT num,player,info from cards WHERE (year = '1998') AND (setname='Finest Mystery Finest 1')		SELECT num,player,info from cards WHERE (year = '1998') AND (setname='Finest Mystery Finest 1')
Line 227:		Line 232:
	SELECT num,player,info from cards WHERE (year = '1998') AND (setname='Finest Mystery Finest 2')		SELECT num,player,info from cards WHERE (year = '1998') AND (setname='Finest Mystery Finest 2')
	</sql2wiki>		</sql2wiki>

	===Mystery Finest Oversize===		===Mystery Finest Oversize===

Tidel144: /* Stadium Stars Oversize */

2023-05-23T01:09:31Z

Stadium Stars Oversize

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 22 May 2023
Line 178:		Line 178:
	===Stadium Stars Oversize===		===Stadium Stars Oversize===

	These six 3.25" X 4.5" oversize cards were randomly seeded into Series Two HTA boxes at the rate of 1:24 packs.		These six 3.25" X 4.5" oversize cards were randomly seeded into Series Two HTA boxes at the rate of 1:24 packs and featured a blue-foil finish over the “Stadium Stars” name. Interestingly, two players (marked with an * below) - Thomas and McGwire - have a purple foil version which could simply be a printing error. No other players with purple foil have been confirmed.

	~~<sql2wiki database="carddb">~~		Card #5 in the set is Chipper Jones, not Mike Piazza, contrary to the sell sheet and Beckett catalog.
	~~SELECT num~~,~~player,info from cards WHERE (year = '1998') AND (setname='Finest Stadium Stars Jumbos')~~
	~~ORDER BY num +0 ASC;~~		* 1 Ken Griffey, Jr.
	~~</sql2wiki>~~		* 2 Alex Rodriguez
			* 3 Nomar Garciaparra
			* 4 Frank Thomas*
			* 5 Chipper Jones
			* 6 Mark McGwire*

	===The Man===		===The Man===

Tidel144: /* Stadium Stars Oversize */

2023-05-23T01:00:14Z

Stadium Stars Oversize

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:00, 22 May 2023
Line 178:		Line 178:
	===Stadium Stars Oversize===		===Stadium Stars Oversize===

	These six 3" X 5" oversize cards were randomly seeded into Series Two HTA boxes at the rate of 1:24.		These six 3.25" X 4.5" oversize cards were randomly seeded into Series Two HTA boxes at the rate of 1:24 packs.

	<sql2wiki database="carddb">		<sql2wiki database="carddb">
Line 184:		Line 184:
	ORDER BY num +0 ASC;		ORDER BY num +0 ASC;
	</sql2wiki>		</sql2wiki>

	===The Man===		===The Man===

Tidel144: /* Distribution */

2023-05-23T00:58:18Z

Distribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:58, 22 May 2023
Line 9:		Line 9:
	Hobby: 24 packs per box, 6 cards per pack (MSRP: $5).		Hobby: 24 packs per box, 6 cards per pack (MSRP: $5).

	HTA: 12 packs per box, 13 cards per pack (MSRP: $10).		HTA (Home Team Advantage/Jumbo): 12 packs per box, 13 cards per pack (MSRP: $10).

	In Hobby boxes, inserts (Mystery Finest) and parallels (Refractors, No-Protectors, and No-Protector Refractors) were usually the 2nd card in the pack.		In Hobby boxes, inserts (Mystery Finest) and parallels (Refractors, No-Protectors, and No-Protector Refractors) were usually the 2nd card in the pack.

Stalegum: /* Parallels */

2021-03-15T20:17:14Z

Parallels

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:17, 15 March 2021
Line 114:		Line 114:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---No-Protector/40/Roger-Clemens.jpg?id=d25b83d7-210a-4655-a93c-42f6cf08ad45&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---No-Protector/40/Roger-Clemens.jpg?id=d25b83d7-210a-4655-a93c-42f6cf08ad45&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	As the name suggests, on each card ~~the "Peel And Remove Coating" is missing off card fronts, and~~ BOTH sides of the card are printed on chromium stock. For a more reliable way to tell the difference between the sets, on the "With Coating" version the name on the back is in plain white; with the "Non-Protected" cards the name is "sparkly," just like the front.		As the name suggests, on each card BOTH sides of the card are printed on chromium stock and the "Peel And Remove" coating is missing on the fronts. For a more reliable way to tell the difference between the sets, on the "With Coating" version the name on the back is in plain white; with the "Non-Protected" cards the name is "sparkly," just like the front.

	* Refractors		* Refractors
Line 121:		Line 121:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---Refractor/1/Larry-Walker.jpg?id=5d131d6e-c734-4c2c-8e94-ddbbb03aaa65&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---Refractor/1/Larry-Walker.jpg?id=5d131d6e-c734-4c2c-8e94-ddbbb03aaa65&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	'''NOTE:''' ~~ALL~~ Refractors in 1998 Finest (base and inserts) are sequentially-numbered with an "R" suffix.		'''NOTE:''' Most Refractors in 1998 Finest (base and inserts) are sequentially-numbered with an "R" suffix.

	* Dual-Sided No-Protector Refractor		* Dual-Sided No-Protector Refractor
Line 128:		Line 128:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---No-Protector-Refractors/135/Cal-Ripken-Jr.jpg?id=f1b3a544-b096-4d32-8848-fb4d8f55ff94&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---No-Protector-Refractors/135/Cal-Ripken-Jr.jpg?id=f1b3a544-b096-4d32-8848-fb4d8f55ff94&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	Both sides of the card are printed on chromium stock~~, but with~~ a refractive sheen.		Both sides of the card are printed on chromium stock and have a refractive sheen. Curiously, these cards do NOT have the "R" suffix.

	===Oversize===		===Oversize===

Stalegum: /* Parallels */

2021-03-15T15:35:39Z

Parallels

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:35, 15 March 2021
Line 114:		Line 114:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---No-Protector/40/Roger-Clemens.jpg?id=d25b83d7-210a-4655-a93c-42f6cf08ad45&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Base---No-Protector/40/Roger-Clemens.jpg?id=d25b83d7-210a-4655-a93c-42f6cf08ad45&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	~~Each of~~ the ~~275 base cards is available as a "Dual-Sided No-Protector" parallel. One difference is that~~ the "Peel And Remove Coating" is missing off card fronts, and BOTH sides of the card are printed on chromium stock. For a more reliable way to tell the difference between the sets, on the "With Coating" version the name on the back is in plain white; with the "Non-Protected" cards the name is "sparkly," just like the front.		As the name suggests, on each card the "Peel And Remove Coating" is missing off card fronts, and BOTH sides of the card are printed on chromium stock. For a more reliable way to tell the difference between the sets, on the "With Coating" version the name on the back is in plain white; with the "Non-Protected" cards the name is "sparkly," just like the front.

	* Refractors		* Refractors

Stalegum: /* Centurions */

2021-03-15T15:31:41Z

Centurions

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:31, 15 March 2021
Line 158:		Line 158:
	https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Centurions/C8/Mark-McGwire.jpg?id=8cca825c-d2d7-4d54-890a-c7ba7e018810&size=original&side=back&.jpg		https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/1998/Topps-Finest---Centurions/C8/Mark-McGwire.jpg?id=8cca825c-d2d7-4d54-890a-c7ba7e018810&size=original&side=back&.jpg

	Randomly inserted in Series One packs, cards from this 20-card set are each serial-numbered on back to 500 copies. Unfortunately, an unknown quantity of unnumbered Centurions made their way into the secondary market in 1999. It’s believed that these cards were quality control extras. To further compound this situation, some unscrupulous parties attempted to serial-number the cards. The fake cards have flat gold foil numbering. The real cards have bright foil numbering.		Randomly inserted in Series One packs, cards from this 20-card set are each serial-numbered on back to 500 copies. Unfortunately, an unknown quantity of unnumbered Centurions made their way into the secondary market in 1999. It’s believed that these cards were quality control extras. To further compound this situation, some unscrupulous parties attempted to serial-number the cards. The fake cards have flat gold foil numbering and appear to be misaligned. The real cards have bright foil numbering.

	This set is also available in a Refractor parallel, serial-numbered to 75 copies.		This set is also available in a Refractor parallel, serial-numbered to 75 copies. As with the base version, a number of serial-number-less Refractors have emerged over the years.

	<sql2wiki database="carddb">		<sql2wiki database="carddb">
	SELECT num,player,info from cards WHERE (year = '1998') AND (setname='Finest Centurions')		SELECT num,player,info from cards WHERE (year = '1998') AND (setname='Finest Centurions')
	</sql2wiki>		</sql2wiki>

	===Stadium Stars===		===Stadium Stars===