2023 Topps Chrome is always one of the most anticipated releases of the year. After controversial issues marred the releases of 2022 Topps Chrome and 2022 Topps Chrome Update, Topps/Fanatics is hopefully feeling they have something to prove with the 2023 release.

What will collectors find in 2023 Topps Chrome? What are the hits? And is it worth breaking?

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

2023 Topps Chrome release date and release formats

The scheduled release date for 2023 Topps Chrome is July 26, 2023 (subject to change).

Topps Chrome will be released in a number of different formats, each with its own hit rates and pack/box layouts.

Hobby boxes contain 24 packs per box. Each hobby pack 4 cards per pack. Hobby cases contain 12 hobby boxes per case. Currently, Hobby boxes are pre-selling for between $140-150.

Hobby Jumbo boxes contain 12 packs per box. These jumbo packs contain 12 cards per pack. There are 8 jumbo boxes in a jumbo hobby case. Hobby Jumbo boxes are pre-selling for $360.

On the retail side, Blaster Value boxes contain 8 packs per box. These retail packs each contain 4 card per pack. Blaster cases contain 40 Blaster boxes.

In terms of hits, you’ll find one autograph per hobby box and three autographs per Jumbo box. Blaster Value boxes don’t have any autograph guarantees, but include retail-exclusive parallels.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

2023 Topps Chrome base set and design

The 2023 Topps Chrome base set uses the design from the 2023 Topps flagship product, but with a chromium finish. While the base Topps set consists of 660 cards across two series, the Chrome version limits the checklist to only 220.

The checklist, made up of veterans and rookies, tends towards the top names in the game. Star power abounds here.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

2023 Topps Chrome parallels

The wide variety of parallel offerings in 2023 Topps Chrome are truly staggering. There’s a lot for collectors to chase, and they range from the fairly easy to pull to the super rare.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

The parallels include:

Refractors – 1:3 packs
Negative Refractors
Prism Refractors – 1:6 packs
Pink Refractors – 2 per blaster box
Sepia Refractors – 2 per blaster box
X-Fractors – 10 per monster box
Magenta Refractors – /399
Magenta Speckle Refractors – /350
Purple Speckle Refractors – /299
Sonar Purple Refractors – /275
Purple Refractors – /250
Aqua Refractors – /199
Aqua Lava Refractors – /199
Blue Refractors – /150
Sonar Blue Refractors – /125
Green Refractors – /99
Green Wave Refractors – /99 (hobby and jumbo only)
Sonar Green Refractors – /99
Blue Wave Refractors – /75 (hobby and jumbo only)
Gold Refractors – /50
Gold Wave Refractors – /50 (hobby and jumbo only)
Orange Refractors – /25 (hobby only)
Orange Wave Refractors – /25 (hobby and jumbo only)
Red Refractors – /5
Red Wave Refractors – /5 (hobby and jumbo only)
Printing Plates – 1/1
Superfractors – 1/1

2023 Topps Chrome Image Variations & Super Short Prints (SSP)

Select base cards get short-printed Image Variation versions. Image Variations also are available as Green Speckle (/99), Gold Speckle (/50), Orange Speckle (/25), Red Speckle (/5) and Superfractor (1/1) parallels.

There are also Super Short Print (SSP) available in the product. These include Sub-Zero FrozenFractor Variation, which are numbered to just 5 copies each.

2023 Topps Chrome inserts

There are a number of good-looking insert offerings in 2023 Topps Chrome. Several of them are new for 2023.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

1988 Topps Baseball

Celebrating the 35^th anniversary of the junk wax classic 1988 Topps set, this insert set features 20 cards. The checklist consists of some of the biggest stars and hottest rookie cards in the game.

Parallels include Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1).

Future Stars

Another 20-card offering, this one highlighting some of the best young players in the game.

Parallels include Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1).

Hidden Gems

New for 2023, this offering is very limited. Not much is yet known about them. I guess because they’re hidden.

Let’s Go

Also new for 2023, and also very limited with not a lot of info yet available. We do know that the set has 15 cards and that these have Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1) parallels available.

Radiating Rookies

Very limited insert set that features some of the top rookies. The checklist consists of 20 cards. These hobby exclusives also have Superfractors (1/1) parallels available.

Topps Chrome Exposé

New for 2023, these are limited to only copies each. Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1) parallels are also out there.

Topps Chrome Titans

Another offering new for 2023, these celebrate players who are larger than life in the cities they represent.

Parallels include Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1).

Topps in Technicolor

These new for 2023 cards put player’s names in full Technicolor, ready for the silver screen.

Parallels include Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1).

Ultraviolet All-Stars

Inspired by blacklights, these cards feature the work on artist Mitch O’Connell. The 15 card checklist features current and former stars.

Parallels include Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1).

Youthquake

With a 50-card checklist, these feature some of the hottest young players in the game today.

TacoFractor

What’s a TacoFractor? We don’t quite know yet. But we do know that the checklist consists of 200 cards, and they’re limited to only 5 copies each.

Mystery Surrounds Topps Chrome Tacofractors

2022 Topps Chrome MVP Buybacks

A limited number of cards of 2022 MVP Paul Goldschmidt and Aaron Judge, have specially stamped buy-back cards available.

By the way, the Topps MVP Buyback Program is returning for 2023.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

2023 Topps Chrome Memorabilia Cards

2023 Topps Chrome has one memorabilia offering in the product, including select autograph offerings.

Topps Chrome Authentics

These hobby-exclusive memorabilia cards have a checklist that consists of 42 cards. The checklist consists of some of the biggest names in the game today, including stars young and old. Oh, and retired star and Hall of Famer David Ortiz.

Parallels include Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and Superfractors (1/1).

Select Topps Chrome Authentics cards also have autograph versions available.

2023 Topps Chrome Autographs

As with any modern offering, autographs are a big part of the draw with 2023 Topps Chrome. With one auto per hobby box and three per jumbo box, they’re sure to be among the most sought-after hits in the product.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

Rookie Autographs

The largest autograph offering in 2023 Topps Chrome is all about the rookies. With 129 cards, the checklist here gets pretty deep, so it’s not just big names represented.

Parallels include:

Refractors – /499
Purple Speckle Refractors – /250
Aqua Wave Refractors – /199
Blue Refractors – /150
Blue RayWave Refractors – /150
Green Refractors – /99 (retail only)
Gold Refractors – /50
Gold Wave Refractors – /50 (hobby and jumbo only)
Orange Refractors – /25 (hobby only)
Orange Wave Refractors – /25 (hobby and jumbo only)
Red Refractors – /5
Red Wave Refractors – /5 (hobby and jumbo only)
Printing Plates – 1/1
Superfractors – 1/1 (hobby and jumbo only)

Dual Rookie Autographs

Five pairs of rookies appear on these dual-signed cards. Limited to 25 copies each, with Red Refractor (/5) and SuperFractor (1/1) versions also available.

Topps Chrome Legends Autographs

Featuring 14 cards of legends of the game’s history, stretching from the 1970s to the 2010s.

Radiating Rookies Autographs

15 subjects from the Radiating Rookies insert set get autographed. Numbered to 23 copies each. These are hobby exclusive. 1/1 Superfractor versions are also available.

Future Stars Autographs

Three subjects from the Future Stars insert set come in autographed versions. Print run is 99 copies per card. Parallels include Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Printing Plate (1/1) and Superfractors (1/1).

Topps In Technicolor Autographs

15 cards from the Topps in Technicolor insert set gets signatures. Parallels include Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and 1/1 Printing Plates and Superfractors.

Ultraviolet All-Stars Autographs

12 cards from the Ultraviolet All-Stars insert set get ink. The checklist is a mix of current players and former legends. Parallels include Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and 1/1 Printing Plates and Superfractors.

1988 Topps Baseball Autographs

Eleven subjects from the 1988 Topps Baseball insert set get autographed versions. Parallels include Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), and 1/1 Printing Plates and Superfractors.

Topps Chrome Authentics Autographs

18 cards from the memorabilia offering gets autographs. Exclusive to hobby and hobby jumbo boxes.

2022 Topps Chrome MVP Buybacks Autographs

Autographed versions of the 2022 Topps Chrome MVP Buybacks are available, in very limited quantities. Only 22 copies of the autographs of MVP’s Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt are available.

2023 Topps Chrome MVP Buyback Program

Topps has announced that similar to last year, 2023 Topps Chrome will be the exclusive home of the Topps MVP Buyback Program.

How does it work? Collectors will be able to trade in 2023 Topps Chrome cards of the AL & NL MVP’s to local card shops or select online retailers for store credit at significantly higher price points than the cards would otherwise sell at.

Check out our Guide to the Topps Buyback Program for more info and thoughts on potential 2023 MVP’s.

As the trade deadline approaches, will the Angels dangling Ohtani on the trade market upend the MVP races? If he’s traded to an NL team, it sure might!

2023 Topps Chrome Value

2023 Topps Chrome has a lot of interesting inserts, parallels, and autographs to chase when breaking. But how do they hold their value unopened?

Year	Recent Comp Price
2023	$140-150
2022	$80-100
2021	$70-90
2020	$120-140

Despite often having more guaranteed autographs per box, prior year Topps Chrome products don’t seem to hold their value very well. This goes beyond the disastrous 2022 Topps Chrome release to other years of the product as well.

So, these are far better off cracked and enjoyed than held unopened, it appears. The value of the cards inside appears solid, especially for PSA 10-graded examples of the rarer parallels and autographs from top players and rookies.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

Final thoughts on 2023 Topps Chrome

Topps Chrome is always a much-anticipated release, and 2023 is no different. The mix of parallels, inserts, and autographs provide a lot to chase at a mid-level priced hobby box. The Jumbo boxes and Value Blaster boxes provide several price points to best match your collecting budget and goal.

And the MVP Buyback Program provides another wrinkle to breaking packs, with one more path to some value.

Shop for 2023 Topps Chrome boxes on eBay

Excited for 2023 Topps Chrome? Planning to break a box? Tell us about it at card_lines on Twitter.

Full 2023 Topps Chrome checklist

Coming soon