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Here is the latest and greatest in all things Topps Chrome!
2023 Topps Chrome Cosmic baseball released August 30, 2023, nearly a month after 2023 Topps Chrome baseball released (July 26, 2023). 2023 Bowman Chrome released August 16, 2023—and 2023 Chrome Platinum Anniversary is, well, due in 2024.
2023 Topps Chrome F1 usually releases in January of the following year, so keep tabs. Speaking of waiting and seeing, will we see Topps Chrome NFL?
All in all, there is always some to look forward to for in the world of Topps Chrome, but let’s stick with the latest big baseball release.
2023 Topps Chrome Baseball Breakdown
As mentioned, we know there will be 220 cards on the checklist (paired down from from flagship’s 660). We also know all the best rookies from Topps Series 1 and the top RCs from Topps Series 2 will now be under one release.
Plenty of refractors are also expected, with more parallels than one can realistically keep track of. But in addition, per the tweet below, can Tacofractors be a real thing? (More on this in my 2023 Topps Chrome Jumbo Box Breakdown).
While traditionalists will undoubtedly see this as yet another gimmick, it’s still too early to even know what these might be, and if they will actually be part of the checklist, or are some other type of promotion.
Either way, Im all for innovation, especially during a time where every release seems to be borrowing something from another. Bring on the shine—here is a list of the different refractors along with their odds and serial numbers.
| Type | Odds & Print Runs |
|---|---|
| Refractor | 1:3 packs |
| X-Fractor | 10 per Monster Box |
| Prism Refractor | 1:6 packs |
| Sepia Refractor | 2 per Blaster |
| Pink Refractor | 2 per Blaster |
| Negative Refractor | 1:96 packs |
| Magenta Refractor | #/399 |
| Magenta Speckle Refractor | #/350 |
| Purple Speckle Refractor | #/299 |
| Purple Sonar Refractor | #/275 |
| Purple Refractor | #/250 |
| Aqua Refractor | #/199 |
| Aqua Lava Refractor | #/199 |
| Blue Refractor | #/150 |
| Blue Sonar Refractor | #/125 |
| Green Refractor | #/99 |
| Green Sonar Refractor | #/99 |
| Wave Refractor | #/75 |
| Gold Refractor | #/50 |
| Orange Refractor | #/25 (Hobby) |
| Orange Wave Refractor | #/25 |
| Red Refractor | #/5 |
| Red Wave Refractor | #/5 |
| SuperFractor | 1/1 |
| Printing Plates | 1/1 |
On a related note, it has been announced that the Topps MVB Buyback program will in fact be continuing, which will only fuel additional interest in Topps Chrome as people look to grab as many 2023 MVP hopefuls as possible (like Ohtani).
To preorder, it looks like Topps is sold out, but there are options on eBay. I’m personally waiting until Blowout Cards and other online card stores offer their pre-orders.
All of that said, want to scratch your Chrome itch before the end of the summer? While the Chrome inserts and parallels and are few and far between, here are a couple of sets to consider before Topps Chrome hits the shelves.
2023 Topps Heritage (Release Date 5/24/23)
If you didn’t know already, Heritage is a set geared toward set collectors (and those wanting to toe the line between vintage and modern). So, expect a large checklist (500 cards in 2023) and not a lot of hits. That said, the included hits are generally among my favorites, and autos are always on-card. (There’s only one hit per hobby box.)
Depending on how you look at things, you’ll either love the design or might be sick of it already given the 1974 Topps look and feel was just featured in 2022 Topps Archives.
It’s not all bore and snore, though—Heritage is also a great set for short prints (SPs) and SSPs – some of which are pretty difficult to spot if you don’t know what you’re looking for – and Chrome versions with refractors and parallels.
And back to autos, perhaps my favorite part about Heritage each and every year is their dual auto checklist, featuring classic pairs like Ohtani and Trout in years past. View the 2023 Heritage checklist and odds.
2023 Topps Series 2 (Release Date 6/7/2023)
While Series 2 doesn’t usually get nearly as much shine as the many cool and valuable cards of Topps Series 1, if I know collectors, there will still be plenty to chase.
This is also a good time to share a little reminder, which might provide a nice tip (perhaps only if you’re in California). But the two years I’ve pre-ordered Topps Series 1 from Blowout Cards, I’ve received it a day before the official release date. Thus, I was able to rip and sell at a premium because I was one of the first to market.
Read More: 2023 Topps Chrome Jumbo Box Review
This begs the question, are there any rookies that would make doing so worth it, like the many top rookies found in Series 1? Corbin Carroll is the biggest name to come to mind (Carroll had autographed cards in Series 1, but not a flagship base RC. Anthony Volpe is another one; James Outman, perhaps?
From recent developments, it does look like we will get rookie cards of Anthony Volpe, Jordan Walker,
