2012 Topps Chrome

**Taliasen** · 09-13-2012, 12:44 PM

2012 Topps Chrome

Per box items:
24 packs per box
4 cards per pack
2 autographs per box

Topps sell sheet

These cards are basically identical to 2012 Topps Series 1, 2 and Pro Debut only in a chrome finish. The standard sized cards feature a full color action shot of the player. Bordered in silver/chrome, the card fronts list the set and player name. A rounded graphic in the lower left corner of the card fronts has the team logo. The graphic is trimmed in a similar color to the team color scheme. The card backs are photo-less and are horizontal in layout. The backs list moderate biographical information, complete career statistics, and career highlights.

What I pulled:
96 unique cards, no duplicates
78 base set cards = 78/220 = 35% of the base set
11 base refractor
2 blue refractor
1 gold refractor
1 red refractor
1 die-cut
2 autos

Base card front and back:

The inserts: (not all scanned)
Blue refractor #/199 Encarnacion, Marcum
Gold refractor #/50 Bourn
Red refracrtor #/25 Teixeira
Dynamic Die-cut Hamilton

The Hits:
Eric Surkamp auto
Liam Hendriks black refractor auto #/100

************************************************** ********************************

Keeping with the same design across all of their products this year, 2012 Topps Chrome is pretty much identical to Series 1, 2 and Pro Debut. I absolutely love this year's base card design though. It is simple and clean. I also really like the horizontal backs and the occasional horizontal fronts. The shot selection is great with some good actions shots and some candid moments. There are 20 base set car variations to chase, although I do not know if they indicated as such on the specific cards. The hits really lacked the wow effect. I think the Dynamic die-cut card looks cool though. After what, like 19 years, you would think someone would have figured out how to make these cards without 'chrome curl.' The curl was very evident as many of the sealed packs were warping! I actually would have preferred a few less refractors and a few more base cards in my box, but that will not make completing the base set that much harder.

The Bottom Line:
Loaded with RCs, I give 2012 Topps Chrome a shop around rating. It will should be easy to complete a base set with three boxes and some light trading. The refractors and serial numbered parallels will be fun to chase. Buy a box and trade your Tigers cards to me!

The Final Score:
Final Ratings (Out of 10):
Base set collect-ability: 3/10
Big-hit Hunter: 4/10
Prospector Hunter: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Overall Quality: 8/10

Overall: 32/50 (64% = D)
The biggest drawback being that set collectors will need 3+ boxes for a complete set.

Topps sent me this box to review for Full Spectrum Baseball. As always I am offering base and insert cards to members here for a SASE.

Thanks to Topps for making this review possible!