Everything You Need To Know About The Various 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Offerings

2023 Topps Factory sets are here! But what is a factory set? Why might you want one? And what are the details on the 2023 Topps Factory set offerings to date?

What is a factory set?

Traditionally, cards have been released in packs, and collectors purchased packs to try to hand-collate their own complete sets. Prior to 1973, Topps even spread their cards across multiple series to keep fans chasing packs all season long.

A factory set offers collectors a chance to skip the packs, sorting, and collation (what some would call “the fun parts”) and purchase a complete set all in one box, sealed at the factory in (hopefully) mint condition. The first Topps factory set was released in 1974, as an exclusive at J.C. Penney stores. After that one-year experiment, factory sets did not return until 1982.

It is noteworthy to mention that typically (and in the case of 2023 Topps) a complete Factory set does NOT include the update/traded series of that product.

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Why factory sets?

Back in the day, a complete set was a way to purchase an entire set worth of cards without sorting, checklists, and chasing those last few elusive cards. Nowadays, it’s really more of a cost play for people interested in the complete set of base cards. Think about it….these days, hand-collating a set would be cost prohibitive in almost all cases.

You’re paying more for packs to support the “lottery ticket” chase for parallels, inserts, autographs, relics, and the like. A complete set allows you to add all the base cards at a highly discounted price.

While they won’t include any of these “chase” cards, a factory set will include all the base set stars and rookies. A 2023 Topps factory set will contain all the top rookie cards, including players like Jordan Walker, Corbin Carroll, Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and more.

READ: 2022 Topps Complete set

2023 Topps Baseball complete factory set hobby version release date & release format

The release date for the 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version is August 2, 2023 (subject to change).

The 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version contains all of the base cards from both 2023 Topps Series 1 and Series 2. This totals 660 cards (330 from each series).

2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version have been pre-selling for $50.

The 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version also includes a 5-card bonus pack to sweeten the deal.

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2023 Topps Baseball factory set hobby version – The bonus

As mentioned, the 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version also contains one 5-card pack of exclusive Foilboard parallels.

This is a nice bonus for buying the complete set. Left sealed, they’ll help the resale value of the set compared to a set that doesn’t include a bonus. If opened, the cards might be commons that fetch only a dollar or two. If you happen to pull a hot rookie or popular superstar, the return is higher, especially if they’re in gradable condition.

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2023 Topps Baseball factory set retail version

The release date for the 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Retail Version is August 4, 2023 (subject to change).

The 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version contains all of the base cards from both 2023 Topps Series 1 and Series 2. This totals 660 cards (330 from each series).

2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version has been pre-selling for $60.

The 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Hobby Version also includes a 5-card bonus pack to sweeten the deal.

Shop for 2023 Topps Factory sets on eBay

2023 Topps Baseball factory set retail version – The Bonus

2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set Retail Version also contains one 5-card pack of exclusive Photo Variation Rookie Cards.

Special versions of rookie cards is a pretty appealing bonus. If you’re lucky enough to pull rookie cards of some of the top young players, there’s a chance for some real value here. Left unopened, these are likely to add value to the value of the sealed set. Crack them and you have a chance at a really nice card.

I think Topps understands the appeal of the rookie cards, which explains the price premium for the retail set.

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2023 Topps Baseball 582 Montgomery Club factory set

Members of Topps 582 Montgomery Club get an exclusive factory set as part of their membership. These sets include a special club stamp on each card.

2023 Topps Factory Sets and Value

We’ve established that whether you go retail or hobby, a Topps Factory set is a nice way to get all the base cards from Series 1 & 2 of the year’s Topps Flagship product. But how do these sets hold their value over time? Let’s take a look at sets from the last few years, and recent comp prices.

The prices suggest that perhaps the sets hold their value, but aren’t likely to significantly increase in value, at least in the short term of a few years. If you’re buying and holding, make it a long-term thing.

Typically, a factory set is best kept sealed, although the bonus packs will make cracking them open a bit more tempting. If you do submit to temptation, check out the key base cards to see if they’re gradable. Sure, grading base cards is “so 2021”, but there may still be a few worth that treatment.

Final thoughts (for now) on 2023 Topps Baseball complete sets

The 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Sets offer collectors a chance to get all the base cards from the 2023 Topps Series 1 and 2 offerings, as a reasonable price. While you’ll miss out on chasing parallels, inserts, and the like, there is a 5-card pack of exclusive extras to sweeten the deal.

Are you a fan of Topps Factory sets? Planning to buy a 2023 Topps Baseball Factory Set? Which version is your favorite? Let us know at card_lines on Twitter.

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More Cardlines.com 2023 Topps Coverage

• 2023 Topps Series 1 Baseball
• 2023 Topps Series 2 Baseball
• The Best 2023 Topps Series 2 Rookies To Invest In
• 2023 Topps Series 1 Rookies: What Topps Rookie Cards Are In This Series?