2011 Topps Tier One

[Taliasen]

2011 Topps Tier One

Per Box Items:
7 cards per box
2 autograph cards
1 relic card

Topps Sell Sheet

The base cards are thicker than regular base set cards. Fading to a white border, the card fronts feature a full color action shot of the player. The cards are serial numbered in the upper right corner and have the set logo and player name in gold foil along the card bottom. The backs are photo-less. Trimmed in red and black, the backs list moderate biographical information, complete career statistics, and "Career Tiers," highlights. Both the card fronts and backs are very glossy.

What I pulled:
7 unique cards
3 base #/799
1 parallel #/199
2 serial numbered autographs
1 serial numbered relic

Base card front and back:
Kershaw, Pineda, Gonzalez all #/799


The parallel:
Bert Blyleven #/199


The Hits:
Gio Gonzalez auto #/699
Jordan Zimmermann Auto #/999
Rogers Hornsby dual relic #/99


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As a replacement for the missing annual Topps Sterling, Topps Tier One fell short. An ultra premium, high-end box with only seven cards per pack/box certainly sounds like Sterling but there are some key differences. Not wanting to compare the two products though as this is a review of Tier One. For the price point, I expected a higher caliber talent checklist, bigger hits and no redemption cards. I personally did not pull a redemption, but they are plentiful in Tier One. The overall quality and design of the base cards and hits is good. Just like any lottery ticket you could strike it rich or strike out. If you strike out, you will have a hard time trying to flip/trade cards for your money back.

The Bottom Line:
I give 2011 Topps Tier One a shop around rating. You will be further ahead to buy singles of cards. Light on rookies, the potential for a redemption and the hit or miss of the hits means you should shop around for your lotto ticket. If you pick up any, trade your Tigers cards to me!

The Final Score:
Final Ratings (Out of 5):
Base set collect-ability: 1/5
Big-hit Hunter: 2/5
Prospector Hunter: 2/5
Overall Design: 5/5
Fun: 5/5
Value: 3/5
Re-buy: 5/5
Overall Quality: 5/5

Overall: 28/40 (70% = C)

Topps sent me this box to review for Baseball Digest.

Thanks to Topps for making this review possible!

Tal

[Hellwig]

Good review. Nice Hornsby though! Sells for about 15-22 with shipping...

LOL @ this guy doing everything he can to oversell his card:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-TOPPS-TIER-ONE-TRUE-1-1-ST-LOUIS-CARDINALS-ROGERS-HORNSBY-d-4-99-/180755330339?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item2a15db7523

The card design is very clean and does have the coveted on-card autos. Just wish the number wasn't so damn high.

[W_Raoul2]

Are you still giving out base for SASE? I'd be interested in the Kershaw and Pineda for my PC. LMK, thanks! :)