Guide to 2022 Topps Series 1 Parallels

The recent release of 2022 Topps Series 1 is a change of season. It’s now unofficially “parallel season” as collectors rip wax and search for parallels amongst their new 2022 cards. We present our guide to 2022 Topps Series 1 parallels in recognition of this fact.

Check out our guide to 2022 Topps Series 1 variations as well.

What Are Sports Card Parallels?

Look for 2022 Topps Series 1 Parallels on eBay. 

Parallels are versions of base cards that have some distinguishing feature (such as a color change) but in every other way have the same numbering and subjects as the regular cards in the set. These cards are produced in smaller quantities than base cards. Often the numbers are much smaller, and therefore they are “chase” cards. As a result, they usually demand a premium price and collector attention.

Modern parallels often come with different insertion rates/odds in various packaging types, and while most are available in packs, there are parallels created for different situations.

READ: Tips for investing in Donruss Parallels

History Of Topps Flagship Card Parallels

In 1992, Topps released what is generally accepted as the first pack-inserted parallel cards, Topps Gold. These cards featured gold foil on the player name section of the card. Topps Gold cards were randomly inserted into packs and included in complete sets as a bonus.

The cards still demand a slight premium over the base set, although overproduction and a rookie class that hasn’t stood the test of time hurts the current day values of these cards. Back in 1992, though, a Gold version of the Brien Taylor draft pick card was in high demand.

Topps also included game cards in packs of 1992 Topps that offered a chance to win more Gold cards with a scratch-off game. Unfortunately for Topps, this scratch-off game had a fatal flaw – if you held the card up to a strong light source, you could see the answer choices. As a result, Topps was flooded with “winning” game cards. To keep from completely devaluing the standard Gold cards, Topps created a parallel of the parallel set and called it Gold Winners to send to contest winners. These cards were just like the Gold cards, but with “Winner” in thin gold foil font on the card front. Today these cards are typically valued between base cards and standard Gold cards.

1992 Topps Gold were the original variations. Look for them on eBay. 

Guide to 2022 Topps Series 1 Parallels: “Pack” Parallels & Odds

 Thirty years later, in 2022, two parallel versions of a Topps flagship product feel rather quaint. After all, 2022 series 1 features a whopping 17 parallels.

All 2022 Topps Series 1 parallels appear to be available for all 330 cards, except for Advanced Stats and Clear. Advanced Stats appear to only be available for standard player cards in the set, while the Clear covers 100 cards.

Rainbow Foil parallels are always popular. Look for Wander Franco Rainbow Foils on eBay. 

Most parallel sets are relatively easily identified by their color and/or serial number. However, there are a couple of exceptions that are worth calling out.

Advanced Stats have card fronts that match the base set exactly. However, traditional stats such as batting average and RBI with advanced stats such as max distance and exit velocity are on the back. These cards are serial-numbered to 300, and that number appears on the card back as well.

Vintage Stock is another that may be harder to spot at first glance. The cards are printed on less glossy stock, and the most prominent visual indicators are a different font on the Topps logo on the front and the serial number on the back (SN/99).

Also of note, the Royal Blue parallel seems to exist with slightly different color borders. Time will tell if these turn out to be some sort of variation and if a particular shade proves rarer.

Guide to 2022 Topps Series 1 Parallels: Non-Pack Parallels & Odds

Got all that? Good! Because there’s more! Beyond parallels available in packs, Topps has several other parallels, and it’s likely more are to come.

Premiere Party Parallels were released exclusively at a release party for 2022 Topps Series 1 put on by Topps. The print run is not known but is expected to be small.

The same can be said of the 2022 Topps Rip Party parallel, released exclusively at another Topps event.

In addition, factory-sealed hobby sets have five exclusive Foilboard parallels. Topps 582 Montgomery Club factory sets will also feature a unique stamp, so that’s another parallel to keep an eye out for. There may eventually be others as well; stay tuned for more info.

And, of course, Series 2 may bring additional surprises. But that will have to wait for another day.

2022 Topps Rip Party parallels are fairly rare. What is available on eBay?

Bottomline Of The Guide to 2022 Topps Series 1 Parallels

The 2022 Topps Series 1 set features a dizzying array of parallels, ranging from the plentiful to the ultra-rare. While some collectors may find the number of parallels overwhelming, they offer a range of interesting “chases” for collectors and some interesting and attractive alternatives to the base product.