Enigma
12-07-2008, 05:25 AM
First and foremost, I like to thank our Sponsor, Topps, for providing us with this box to review.
http://www.blowoutcards.com/images/basketball/0809toppscosignersBKB.jpg
2008/09 Topps Co-Signers Basketball
10 packs per box
6 cards per pack
MSRP: $80-$85
Product Description
2008/09 Topps Co-Signers Basketball is the ultimate autograph collector's set and returns this year with more Dual Autograph combinations than ever before. Every box contains 1 Co-Signers Dual Autographed Card, 1 Rookie Autographed Card, 4 numbered Rookie cards, 6 Veteran Parallel cards, and 8 NEW Changing Faces Customizable cards! AND, every 20-box Hobby Distributor Case guarantees 1 Hobby Exclusive Triple Autographed Card and a One of One Parallel card!
PRODUCT BREAKDOWN
AUTOGRAPHED CARDS - 2 PER BOX!
Co-Signers Dual Autographed Cards (70) - 1 per box!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
- Hyper Gold - Seq. #'d to 10.
- Gold - Seq. #'d.
Hobby Exclusive! Tri-Signers Triple Autographed Cards (10) - Seq. #'d. 1 per 20-box case!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
Hobby Exclusive! Quad-Signers Autographed Cards (4 subs/5 variations) - Seq. #'d.
Rookie Autograph Cards (30) - 1 per box!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
- Hyper Silver - Seq. #'d to 25.
- Gold - Seq. #'d.
INSERT CARDS - 8 PER BOX!
NEW! Changing Faces Customizable Cards (50 subs/100 cards) - Seq. #'d.
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hyper Gold - Seq. #'d to 25.
- Hyper Silver - Seq. #'d to 99.
- Hyper Bronze - Seq. #'d to 199.
- Gold - Seq. #'d to 399.
- Silver - Seq. #"d to 599.
- Bronze - Seq. #'d to 799.
BASE CARDS
- Veterans (100) - 4 per pack!
- Rookies (40) - Seq. #'d to 2008.
PARALLEL CARDS - 6 VETERANS AND 4 ROOKIES PER BOX, INCLUDING ROOKIE BASE CARDS!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
- Hyper Gold - Seq. #'d to 10.
- Hyper Silver - Seq. #'d to 25.
- Hyper Bronze - Seq. #'d to 50.
- Gold - Seq. #'d to 99.
- Silver - Seq. #"d to 399 or less.
- Bronze - Seq. #'d to 799 or less.
WHAT WE PULLED
Base (40/100) - 40%
Dupes: 0
Rookies (4/40) - Russell Westbrook, Brook Lopez, Kosta Koufos, Chris Douglas-Roberts
Dupes: 0
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00010.jpg
The base and rookie cards are on a little thick card stock than most base cards. There are 100 base cards overall with mostly veterans and a few retired players. The bottom of the card is a black box with the team name and player position. The player's name run vertically along the left side of the card. A sun-type backdrop accentuates the player's photo and gives it the appearance of movement.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00012.jpg
There are two types of parallels, the base series and the Hyper series. The Base series are Bronze (numbered to 799 or less), Silver (numbered to 399 or less) and Gold (numbered to 99 or less). This series utilizes a shiny background instead of the flat background of the regular card. The three colors match the color of the parallel. Unfortunately, we did not pull any Hyper series to show off, so I cannot relay the differences.
Bronze (2) - Caron Butler /299, John Stockon /299
Silver (2) - LeBron James /199, O.J. Mayo /199
Gold (2) - Jamario Moon /99, Brook Lopez /99
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00011.jpg
The Changing Faces inserts are back with a twist. They are interchangable. You are able to pull them apart and create your own dual card. This means numerous possibilities for the set. The regular card is numbered to 899. The parallels are the same colors are the parallels for the base cards.
Regular /899 (4) - Ray Allen/Yao Ming, Deron Williams/Greg Oden, Kevin Martin/Tony Parker, Jerryd Bayless/Kevin Durant
Gold /399 (2) - Tony Parker/Kevin Martin, Brandon Roy/Richard Hamilton
Hyper Bronze (2) - Joe Alexander/Chris Paul, Jason Kidd/Dirk Nowitzki
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00013.jpg
Co-Signers has two autos per box. One is a rookie auto and the other is either a dual, triple or quad auto. The Rookie auto is simply the rookie card with the autograph sticker at the bottom of it. The multi-auto card is designed with a cut-out area where the autos reside. The player face is pictured next to the auto with his team and name directly below. The Triple and Quad auto cards come 1 per case.
Rookie Auto (1) - Ryan Anderson /350
Triple Auto (1) - Brook Lopez/Jason Thompson/Anthony Randolph /36
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Overall design: 4.5/5
Value: 3.5/5
Re-buy: 3.5/5
Overall: 19.5/25 (78%)
When Co-Signers first came out, I was a big fan. You would get two rookies autos and one multi-auto card. Soon after, the box stated three autos per box. But that was misleading as you got one rookie auto and a dual auto which equals three autos. Collectors did not realize that as most took it to mean three auto cards. So it is nice to see Topps has changed how they present the autos on the box.
I do like the change from just having the thick Hyper cards as the parallel as a lot of times, you couldn't tell which version you had. Seeing three distinct colors is nice, but not sure on the whole "numbered x amount or less" for a particular parallel. Why not simply make them numbered to the same amount? If you don't have this info about the product, you would be confused on what version you got. I was, until I went back to the description and got that tidbit of knowledge.
But above all else, the thing I did not like the most was the Changing Faces inserts being interchangable. I understand the idea of trying to come up with something new and catchy, but mix and match cards are for younger collectors. And since most younger collectors can't afford to buy a box or pay the normal $10 pack cost, is it unreasonable to ask not to put this in the pack? As collectors, we like to put our cards in a penny sleeve/top loader combo. Well, how do you collect this card? The only true compelte card would have the same player on both sides of the card, which defeats the purpose of Changing Faces. Very confusing to me and something I could do without.
This is not to say Co-Signers isn't a nice product. It really is. The photos and card designs are great. The color pop out to you and are quite eye pleasing. But the additions are unnecessary. No reason to change a good thing. What's that old saying about if something isn't broke...
As always, a big thanks to Topps for providing us with the opportunity to review this product and their sponsorship.
http://www.blowoutcards.com/images/basketball/0809toppscosignersBKB.jpg
2008/09 Topps Co-Signers Basketball
10 packs per box
6 cards per pack
MSRP: $80-$85
Product Description
2008/09 Topps Co-Signers Basketball is the ultimate autograph collector's set and returns this year with more Dual Autograph combinations than ever before. Every box contains 1 Co-Signers Dual Autographed Card, 1 Rookie Autographed Card, 4 numbered Rookie cards, 6 Veteran Parallel cards, and 8 NEW Changing Faces Customizable cards! AND, every 20-box Hobby Distributor Case guarantees 1 Hobby Exclusive Triple Autographed Card and a One of One Parallel card!
PRODUCT BREAKDOWN
AUTOGRAPHED CARDS - 2 PER BOX!
Co-Signers Dual Autographed Cards (70) - 1 per box!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
- Hyper Gold - Seq. #'d to 10.
- Gold - Seq. #'d.
Hobby Exclusive! Tri-Signers Triple Autographed Cards (10) - Seq. #'d. 1 per 20-box case!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
Hobby Exclusive! Quad-Signers Autographed Cards (4 subs/5 variations) - Seq. #'d.
Rookie Autograph Cards (30) - 1 per box!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
- Hyper Silver - Seq. #'d to 25.
- Gold - Seq. #'d.
INSERT CARDS - 8 PER BOX!
NEW! Changing Faces Customizable Cards (50 subs/100 cards) - Seq. #'d.
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hyper Gold - Seq. #'d to 25.
- Hyper Silver - Seq. #'d to 99.
- Hyper Bronze - Seq. #'d to 199.
- Gold - Seq. #'d to 399.
- Silver - Seq. #"d to 599.
- Bronze - Seq. #'d to 799.
BASE CARDS
- Veterans (100) - 4 per pack!
- Rookies (40) - Seq. #'d to 2008.
PARALLEL CARDS - 6 VETERANS AND 4 ROOKIES PER BOX, INCLUDING ROOKIE BASE CARDS!
- Hobby Exclusive! Hyper Platinum - All one of one!
- Hobby Exclusive! Framed Printing Plates - All one of one!
- Hyper Gold - Seq. #'d to 10.
- Hyper Silver - Seq. #'d to 25.
- Hyper Bronze - Seq. #'d to 50.
- Gold - Seq. #'d to 99.
- Silver - Seq. #"d to 399 or less.
- Bronze - Seq. #'d to 799 or less.
WHAT WE PULLED
Base (40/100) - 40%
Dupes: 0
Rookies (4/40) - Russell Westbrook, Brook Lopez, Kosta Koufos, Chris Douglas-Roberts
Dupes: 0
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00010.jpg
The base and rookie cards are on a little thick card stock than most base cards. There are 100 base cards overall with mostly veterans and a few retired players. The bottom of the card is a black box with the team name and player position. The player's name run vertically along the left side of the card. A sun-type backdrop accentuates the player's photo and gives it the appearance of movement.
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00012.jpg
There are two types of parallels, the base series and the Hyper series. The Base series are Bronze (numbered to 799 or less), Silver (numbered to 399 or less) and Gold (numbered to 99 or less). This series utilizes a shiny background instead of the flat background of the regular card. The three colors match the color of the parallel. Unfortunately, we did not pull any Hyper series to show off, so I cannot relay the differences.
Bronze (2) - Caron Butler /299, John Stockon /299
Silver (2) - LeBron James /199, O.J. Mayo /199
Gold (2) - Jamario Moon /99, Brook Lopez /99
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00011.jpg
The Changing Faces inserts are back with a twist. They are interchangable. You are able to pull them apart and create your own dual card. This means numerous possibilities for the set. The regular card is numbered to 899. The parallels are the same colors are the parallels for the base cards.
Regular /899 (4) - Ray Allen/Yao Ming, Deron Williams/Greg Oden, Kevin Martin/Tony Parker, Jerryd Bayless/Kevin Durant
Gold /399 (2) - Tony Parker/Kevin Martin, Brandon Roy/Richard Hamilton
Hyper Bronze (2) - Joe Alexander/Chris Paul, Jason Kidd/Dirk Nowitzki
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd158/enigmas_cards/Reviews/CCF12062008_00013.jpg
Co-Signers has two autos per box. One is a rookie auto and the other is either a dual, triple or quad auto. The Rookie auto is simply the rookie card with the autograph sticker at the bottom of it. The multi-auto card is designed with a cut-out area where the autos reside. The player face is pictured next to the auto with his team and name directly below. The Triple and Quad auto cards come 1 per case.
Rookie Auto (1) - Ryan Anderson /350
Triple Auto (1) - Brook Lopez/Jason Thompson/Anthony Randolph /36
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set: 4/5
Fun: 4/5
Overall design: 4.5/5
Value: 3.5/5
Re-buy: 3.5/5
Overall: 19.5/25 (78%)
When Co-Signers first came out, I was a big fan. You would get two rookies autos and one multi-auto card. Soon after, the box stated three autos per box. But that was misleading as you got one rookie auto and a dual auto which equals three autos. Collectors did not realize that as most took it to mean three auto cards. So it is nice to see Topps has changed how they present the autos on the box.
I do like the change from just having the thick Hyper cards as the parallel as a lot of times, you couldn't tell which version you had. Seeing three distinct colors is nice, but not sure on the whole "numbered x amount or less" for a particular parallel. Why not simply make them numbered to the same amount? If you don't have this info about the product, you would be confused on what version you got. I was, until I went back to the description and got that tidbit of knowledge.
But above all else, the thing I did not like the most was the Changing Faces inserts being interchangable. I understand the idea of trying to come up with something new and catchy, but mix and match cards are for younger collectors. And since most younger collectors can't afford to buy a box or pay the normal $10 pack cost, is it unreasonable to ask not to put this in the pack? As collectors, we like to put our cards in a penny sleeve/top loader combo. Well, how do you collect this card? The only true compelte card would have the same player on both sides of the card, which defeats the purpose of Changing Faces. Very confusing to me and something I could do without.
This is not to say Co-Signers isn't a nice product. It really is. The photos and card designs are great. The color pop out to you and are quite eye pleasing. But the additions are unnecessary. No reason to change a good thing. What's that old saying about if something isn't broke...
As always, a big thanks to Topps for providing us with the opportunity to review this product and their sponsorship.