2023 Topps Heritage Is Back, Mixing Up The Past & Present
Topps Heritage has a long history of celebrating, well, the long history of Topps baseball cards. This is a set not driven by hits, although they’re in there. It’s not really driven by rookie cards, either, although they’re in there too. No, the product is driven by nostalgia, with a taste of today and tomorrow as well.
It’s a winning formula, but how does 2023 Topps Heritage stack up? What will collectors find inside?
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2023 Topps Heritage release date & release formats
The release date of 2023 Topps Heritage is scheduled for May 31, 2023 (subject to change).
Hobby packs contain 9 cards per pack. 2023 Topps Heritage Hobby boxes contain 24 packs per box. Hobby cases contain 12 boxes per case.
Each hobby box of 2023 Topps Heritage contains one Autograph or Memorabilia card and one Box Loader per box.
Hobby boxes of 2023 Topps Heritage are pre-selling for around $95.
Retail blasters will also be available, although the exact format and contents of these have not yet been announced.
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2023 Topps Heritage base set & design
The 2023 Topps Heritage base set design is based on the classic vintage 1974 Topps set. The checklist contains current players and rookies with a few legends mixed in. Subsets include League leaders, All-Stars, Postseason highlights, and rookie stars.
The 2023 Topps Heritage checklist consists of 500 cards, with the final 100 (numbers 401-500) being short-printed. These SPs are seeded 1:3 packs.
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2023 Topps Heritage parallels & variations
As is customary in Topps Heritage releases, there are a number of parallels and variations available for the chasing enjoyment of collectors.
Parallels include limited Black Bordered (/50) and Flip Stock (/5). Both are hobby exclusives.
Base Short Print (SP) and Super Short Print (SSP) Variations include:
- Mini Base, numbered out of 100.
- Throwback Uniforms, which are denoted as “ultra-rare”.
- Image Variations, which is a hobby exclusive.
- Nickname Variations, which are limited.
- Topps also teases that more surprises are in store.
100 of the most interesting cards receive Chrome variations.
Chrome parallels include:
- Refractor: /574
- Silver Parallel: /374
- Black Bordered: /74
- Gold Bordered: / 5 (Hobby Exclusive)
- Superfractor: 1/1
- Hot Box Refractor
2023 Topps Heritage Box Loaders
Each hobby box includes a box loader, of which there are several different types.
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Oversized 1974 Topps Baseball
50 base cards get oversized versions as box toppers, which are serial-numbered to 1,000 copies each.
Select subjects also get autographed parallels limited to only 25 copies each.
1974 Topps Puzzles
Inspired by puzzles produced by Topps in 1974, these are limited to 500 copies each.
1974 Deckle Edge Baseball
Based on the original 1974 Deckle Edge test issue. These are produced to match the original 2-7/8” by 5” size with scalloped edges. Seeded 1:2 boxes.
1974 Topps Originals
Buybacks of original 1974 Topps cards that get a foil “buyback” stamp. Seeded 1:2 boxes.
2023 Topps Heritage inserts
The inserts in 2023 Topps Heritage will be familiar to collectors of prior Heritage offerings.
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New Age Performers
Featuring some of the most exciting young players in the game, this insert set captures some future legends in the making.
Then and Now
Mixing past and present, this set features the top stars of 1974 paired with players of today.
Baseball Flashbacks
Features some of the biggest MLB highlights from 1974.
News Flashbacks
The biggest news stories of 1974 get featured in cardboard glory.
2023 Topps Heritage relics
Each box of 2023 Topps Heritage comes with either an autograph or a relic card. While autographs are usually the more popular hit, don’t snooze on the memorabilia.
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Clubhouse Collection Relics
Featuring a game-used uniform and bat piece of some of today’s stars.
Gold Parallel versions numbered /99 or fewer and 1/1 hand-numbered Patch Parallel versions are also available.
Clubhouse Collection Dual Relics
These are hand numbered to 74 copies each. Hand-numbered 1/1 Patch Parallel cards are also available.
Clubhouse Collection Triple Relics
Hand-numbered to 25 copies, with 1/1 Patch Parallels also available.
Clubhouse Collection Quad Relics
Hand-numbered to 10 copies, with 1/1 Patch Parallels also available.
1974 Mint
These feature major league stars with embedded coins minted in 1974. Nickel cards are numbered /15, Dimes are /10, Quarters /5, and you can find 1/1 Half Dollars as well.
1974 U.S. Postage Stamp Relics
In 1974, a first-class postage stamp would set you back 10 cents. These cards, which feature postage stamps minted in 1974 alongside players of today and yesteryear, figure to set you back more than that.
2023 Topps Heritage autographs
While 2023 Topps Heritage is not a product completely driven by hits, the autographs in the product are typically quite popular with collectors.
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Real One Autographs
On-card autographs that feature some of the MLB greats of today and the past.
Real One Special Edition Autographs
Similar to Real One Autographs, but signed in red ink and serial numbered out of 74.
Real One Dual Autographs
Dual-signed cards numbered 25 copies each.
Real One Triple Autographs
Three autographs on each card. Limited to only five copies each.
Clubhouse Collection Autograph Relics
Clubhouse Collection relics with an on-card autograph. Numbered to 25 or fewer. 1/1 Patch Parallels are also available.
Clubhouse Collection Dual Autograph Relics
These hobby exclusives are limited to only 10 copies or fewer. 1/1 Patch Parallels are also available.
Flashback Autographed Relics
Celebrating moments from the 1973 season and featuring a game-used relic and an on-card autograph. 1/1 Patch Parallels are also available.
1974 Baseball Cut Signatures
1/1 cut signatures featuring players who are no longer with us.
1974 Celebrity Cut Signatures
Another 1/1 cut signature set, this time featuring celebrities.
2023 Topps Heritage value
Topps Heritage is an affordable break high on nostalgia but not really hit or rookie card driven. But is it a good buy-and-hold candidate for fans of unopened materials? Let’s see what the numbers tell us.
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| Year | Recent Comp Sale |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $95 |
| 2022 | $55-75 |
| 2021 | $50-75 |
| 2020 | $100-120 |
This all suggests that while Topps Heritage doesn’t crater in value, it’s unlikely to be a big gainer in unopened form. This product is designed to be opened and enjoyed.
From a singles perspective, there’s some real potential here. Looking at 2022 Topps Heritage, some of the rarer autographs of big names in PSA 10 slabs (or equivalent) sell for $3,000-$6,000. Obviously, the vast majority are going to sell for significantly less than that. The potential upside is clear, however.
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Final thoughts on 2023 Topps Heritage
Topps Heritage is a homage to the past that celebrates the present. Despite its moderate price tag, there’s a chance at some interesting hits and a lot of fun. This has the makings of an enjoyable lower-cost break.
Excited for 2023 Topps Heritage? Planning to break a box? Tell us about it at card_lines on Twitter.
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Other 2023 Baseball Releases
2023 Topps Heritage Checklist
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