Star Wars trading cards are an important part of a wider cultural phenomenon. has arguably been the most culturally significant movie franchise globally, as well as amongst collectors. As a result, Star Wars trading cards have been around for several decades. The early releases started as simple cards, stickers, and gum. But as collectors have become more sophisticated, offerings have grown to include inserts, autographs, sketch cards, and costume relic cards.
Topps has tried to keep the Star Wars collection fresh through over three decades of production. So naturally, some are better than others. We will examine some recent releases. But first, let’s look back over the years to the very beginning.
Created by George Lucas in 1976, Star Wars started as a hit movie release. Over the years, it has evolved into a multi-genre mythology and multimedia franchise. It comprises movies, novels, comics, video games, toys, and television shows.
Star Wars has become one of the highest-grossing series of all time. It is one of the premier examples of the space opera subgenre of science fiction. As a result, it has taken up a place in mainstream popular culture. Part of the secret of its success lies in incorporating archetypal motifs derived from world religions, classical mythology, and ancient history.
The Walt Disney Company bought rights to the franchise for over 4.05 billion dollars from its creator, George Lucas, in 2012. Disney has since split Star wars into two categories: Star Wars Legends and Star Wars Canon. Canon is the official story of the franchise as Disney has designed it. Meanwhile, legends are the framework of the story as created by George Lucas and predating the acquisition.
Although the main storyline of the franchise, known officially as the Skywalker Saga, ended in 2019, the franchise is still going strong. Its current high profile is at least partially a result of the success of the Disney+ original television series The Mandalorian. Other elements of the franchise’s continued success include the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and publishing projects such as Star Wars: The High Republic.
Star Wars trading cards have achieved similar success to the film and television series. Except for one infamous exception, the most recognizable 1977 Topps Star Wars are from the first series.
They are generally divided into three categories:
Just like the movie Star Wars, the cards have been a hit since their release. Topps started producing Star Wars trading cards when the first film was released in 1977, which included the C3PO error card. There have been dozens of distinct sets released since then. The first films’ cards spanned five different series, each connected numerically yet outstanding on its own.
Below is an overview of recent releases from Topps, the official producer of Star Wars trading cards.
This set takes after the previous Star Wars Galaxy releases in its artwork. Also, Topps enhances the images with chrome technology.
2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Galaxy comes, for the first time, with a mature chromium stock. As a result, you can expect one autograph per hobby box and two sketch cards per hobby case. Each hobby pack also boasts of one refractor parallel.
Product Configuration is:
Base Refractors are one per pack. They come in the following variations:
Atomic Refractor – #/150
Wave Refractor- #/99
Prism Refractor- #/75
Mojo Refractor- #/50
Purple Refractor- #/25
x-Fractor- #/10
Red Refractor- #/5
SuperFractor- 1/1
The Mandalorian artwork makes its debut among the inserts of the trading cards with the Mandalorian Visions. The retro options have Global Posters, which highlight the original trilogy, and Vintage Star Wars shows characters and toys from the 70s and 80s. Meanwhile, all insert sets include five Refractor parallels too.
Insert Refractors
Green Refractor- #/99
Purple Refractor- #/50
Orange Refractor- #/25
Red Refractor- #/5
SuperFractor- 1/1
With a guarantee of one signed card per hobby, the 2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Galaxy Checklist rounds up with the hits.
The main autograph line contains several Refractor editions. Also, there are limited multi-signed cards to track down.
Blue Refractor – #/150
Green Refractor – #/99
Purple Refractor – #/50
Orange Refractor – #/25
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
The SuperFractor – 1/1
The Sketch cards make a 2-time appearance, which is a rare chase insert.
The 2021 Topps Star Wars Battle Plans takes a themed approach, and the collection highlights significant battles from the history of the galaxy. It showcases ten notable events and has 100-card base sets focusing on battles that changed the tides of galactic conflict.
You can anticipate two hits, including one autograph in the hobby boxes. Each of the packs has one parallel and one insert. Galactic adversaries covering key subjects from the good and bad guys are in the insert selection. There are also tools or warfare displaying vital weapons and ships and the ultimate showdowns for the classic Lightsaber duels.
Product configuration:
Blue (1:4 packs)
Green – #/99
Orange – #/50
Purple – #/25
Black – #/5
Red – 1/1
Printing Plates – 1/1 (4 per card)
Green – #/99
Orange – #/50
Purple – #/25
Black – #/5
Red – 1/1
As mentioned earlier, you can expect one signed card per 2021 Topps Stars Battle Plans hobby. Likely options are the main autograph cards with limited dual autographs (#/25 or less) and triple autographs (#/10 or less)
Blue – #/149
Green – #/99
Orange – #/50
Purple – #/25
Black – #/5
Red – 1/1
Printing Plates – 1/1 (4 per card)
The second Hobby box hit has more variety. Look out for Sourced Fabric Relics, Sketch Cards, or Panoramic Sketch Cards. Printing plates also count as a box hit.
Green – #/99
Orange – #/50
Purple – #/25
Black – #/5
Red – 1/1
2021 Topps Star Wars Battle Plans Box Break
1 Autograph and 1 Additional Hit (Auto, Sketch, Relic, Plate)
24 Parallels and 24 Inserts
Details on the set checklist can be found here.
The 2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Legacy highlights recent films and television programs from a fresh chromium perspective. Covered are the following movies: The Rise of Skywalker, Solo, Rogue One. It also covers the following TV shows: The Mandalorian, Star Wars Rebels, The Clone Wars. In addition, the master hobby boxes offer 2 six-pack mini-boxes and 2 hits with at least one autograph or sketch card.
2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Legacy Base Refractor Parallels Breakdown
Refractor (1:3 packs)
Blue Refractor – #/99
Green Refractor – #/50
Orange Refractor – #/25
Black Refractor – #/10
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
The theme inserts have Mandalorian Concept Art, Visions Concept Art, and Wielders of the Lightsaber. It offers parallels to chase too.
2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Legacy Insert Refractor Parallels Breakdown
Green Refractor – #/50
Orange Refractor – #/25
Black Refractor – #/10
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
Onto the hits, 2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Legacy guarantees one autograph or sketch card in each Master Hobby box.
So, you may want to look out for signed cards in Age of Rebellion Autographs, Age of Republic Autographs, and Age of Resistance Autographs.
2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Legacy Autograph Refractor Parallels Breakdown
Age of Republic Autographs
Blue Refractor – #/99
Green Refractor – #/50
Orange Refractor – #/25
Black Refractor – #/10
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
Age of Resistance Autographs
Blue Refractor – #/99
Green Refractor – #/50
Orange Refractor – #/25
Black Refractor – #/10
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
Age of Rebellion Autographs
Blue Refractor – #/99
Green Refractor – #/50
Orange Refractor – #/25
Black Refractor – #/10
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
The multi-signed dual Autograph cards are limited to 25 copies or less.
2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Legacy adds manufactured relics to the mix through Commemorative Ship Medallion. These cards highlight outstanding vessels and crew from Star Wars.
2021 Topps Chrome Star Wars Legacy Relics Refractor Parallels Breakdown
Commemorative Ship Medallion
Green Refractor – #/50
Orange Refractor – #/25
Black Refractor – #/10
Red Refractor – #/5
SuperFractor – 1/1
In the sketch cards, there are standard Sketch editions and Shaped Sketch cards with hand-drawn artwork.
Product Configuration includes 5 cards per pack, 6 packs per mini-box, 2 mini-boxes per master box, 8 master boxes per case
1 Autograph or Sketch and 1 Additional Hit
2021 Topps Star Wars Bounty Hunters highlight the roles of Boba Fett, the Mandalorian, and many more. In addition, it places the crosshairs on some of the iconic mercenaries from the Star Wars universe. Look forward to one autograph and one sketch card or manufactured relic.
This set works with a 3-level base format which is similar to Topps Gold Label Baseball. For the 100-card set, each subject has level 1-3 editions marked. Level 3 is quite rare, while level 1 is more common. The card level adds 5 limited parallels too.
2021 Topps Star Wars Bounty Hunters Parallels Breakdown
Bounty Level 1
Blue (1:2 packs)
Green – #/150
Purple – #/99
Red – #/75
Black – 1/1
Bounty Level 2
Blue (1:12 packs)
Green – #/99
Purple – #/75
Red – #/50
Black – 1/1
Bounty Level 3
Blue (1:24 packs)
Green – #/50
Purple – #/35
Red – #/25
Black – 1/1
The 50-card Feared Mercenaries looks into the notable bounty hunters further. The lineup has the Mandalorian with short-printed cards for Jango Fett (1:4 packs), Boba Fett (1:4 packs), Aurra Sing (1:6 packs), and Cad Bane (1:12 packs).
Meanwhile, the Feared Mercenaries Die-Cut (1:12 packs) set has 5 cards. It mainly has to do with the bounty hunters sent to retrieve the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back movie.
Inserts are two per pack.
The hobby boxes of 2021 Topps Star Wars Bounty Hunters guarantee two hits.
2021 Topps Star Wars Bounty Hunters Autograph Parallels Breakdown
Autographs
Blue – #/99
Green – #/75
Purple – #/50
Gold – #/25
Red – #/10
Black – 1/1
Printing Plates – 1/1
Dual Autographs
Base – #/25 or less
Red – #/10
Black – 1/1
Triple Autographs
Base – #/5 or less
Black – 1/1
You can see a second hit that is a hand-drawn sketch card or a manufactured relic.
Sketch cards are in a standard version or as Triptych Sketch cards.
The hobby-only Bounty Commemorative Patch cards show significant bounties from television shows and movies of the franchise.
2021 Topps Star Wars Bounty Hunters Manufactured Relic Parallels Breakdown
Bounty Commemorative Patch
Green – #/99
Purple – #/50
Gold – #/25
Red – #/5
Black – 1/1
If you are looking for a challenge, 2021 Topps Star Wars Bounty Hunters have foil-stamped 1977 Topps Star Wars original buybacks.
You surely want to consider this collection if you get 25 stamped buybacks and qualify for an exclusive Star Wars Bounty Hunters Ultimate Bounty Autograph (1/1).
Product Configuration includes 8 cards per pack, 24 packs per box, 12 boxes per case
1 Autograph and 1 Sketch or Manufactured Relic
24 Inserts
There are now cards for every major Star Wars project since 1977. The rarity varies, but fans of the franchise highly desire all of the releases. So here are some of the most valuable cards out there.
Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver do not have the same standing in the Star Wars universe as the prominent cast members of the original series. However, this card has two considerable advantages. First, it is a dual auto, and second, it is a 1/1.
Luke Skywalker cards fetch a particular premium. Meanwhile, autos have their unique value. Therefore, this signed card is immensely valuable. It has sold on eBay for $2,800. In addition, autos related to the original releases are very likely to hold value, so this card is a good investment.
Han Solo is the second most popular Star Wars character, at least as far as collectors are concerned. Unfortunately, this one sold for $2,350, which is $500 less than Han Solo. This is despite the fact that it is lower-numbered and that Harrison Ford is a far bigger star, at least outside the Star Wars universe.
Singles from the original Topps releases from 1977 and 1978 do not fetch the same prices as the autos available in later releases. However, sealed wax from those releases can be pretty valuable.
Here is a chart of sealed wax values. The early releases came in boxes of 36 packs, and the prices here refer to a sealed container in that format.
1977 Series One | $4,050 |
1977 Series Two | $4,000 |
1977 Series Three | $4,000 |
1978 Series Four | $3,150 |
1978 Series Five | $2,500 |
The Empire Strikes Back Series 1 | $650 |
Talking about franchises with collectibles, few can match up to Star Wars. While their value is not quite as high as Pokemon, the franchise has a lot of staying power and may hold more value in the long term. As the years go by, the Star Wars trading card sets continue to grow. Autographs and sketch cards seem to get a lot of attention too. However, the stellar signatures are the centerpiece of the sets that feature them.
Different collectors have varying definitions of a good Star Wars base set. It could be the informative ones or a design that is hard to pass. The dominating theme, innovation, and lingering impression are other factors that may come into play. All in all, investing in a Star Wars card set depends on overall intention.
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