Official SCF Review: 2009 Topps Chrome

[Enigma]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank our sponsors at Topps for providing us with this box.



24 packs per box
4 cards per pack
Current Retail Price: 54.99 - 64.99

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

AUTOGRAPHED ROOKIE CARDS - 1 PER HOBBY BOX!

ROOKIES - 50 gifted NFL Rookies from the base set with their signatures on a base variation card!
Available in the following numbered Refractor Parallel Versions:
- SUPER-FRACTOR - 1 OF 1!
- GOLD #'d to 10
- BLACK #'d to 25

ROOKIE PATCH CARDS - 30 of the Top NFL Rookies featured on a limited Refractor Parallel #'d to 25! HOBBY EXCLUSIVE!

BASE CARDS - 4 PER HOBBY PACK!

VETERANS (110)
ROOKIES (110) 1:2 PACKS

PARALLEL CARDS - 9 PER HOBBY BOX!
Available in Refractor Parallel Versions:
- SUPER-FRACTOR - 1 OF 1! HOBBY EXCLUSIVE!
- RED - #'d to 25 - HOBBY EXCLUSIVE!
- COPPER #'d to 699!
- REFRACTOR - inserted 1:3 packs!
- PRINTING PLATES - four plates from each of the 220 base cards - ONE OF ONE!

INSERT CARDS - 10 PER HOBBY BOX!

CHICLE CARDS - Topps goes back to 1935 and spotlights 25 Rookies and NFL Stars on this historic design - inserted 1:4 packs!
CHEERLEADERS - 13 AFC team boosters - inserted 1:8 packs!
RING OF HONOR - Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes - inserted 1:24 packs!
All insert cards are available in the following numbered Refractor Parallel Versions:
- SUPER-FRACTOR - 1 OF 1! HOBBY EXCLUSIVE!
- RED #'d to 10
- WHITE #'d to 100
- REFRACTOR #'d


WHAT WE PULLED



Base (62/110) - 56.4%
Dupes - 0
Rookies (12/110) - 11%
Dupes - 0

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Refractors (8) - Dwayne Bowe, Tony Romo, Jared Allen, DeAngelo Williams, Manuel Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Peria Jerry, Robert Ayers
Bronze Refractors /649 (2) - Steve Smith, Jason Smith



Cheerleaders (3) - Amy, Tara, Johanna
Ring Of Honor (1) - Santonio Holmes
National Chicle (6) - Brian Westbrook, Troy Polamalu, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Vincent Jackson, Ben Roethlisberger
National Chicle Refractors /199 (1) - Wes Welker

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Malcolm Jenkins Autograph

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FINAL RATINGS
Base Set - 4.25
Overall Design - 4
Fun - 4.5
Value - 4.25
Rebuy - 4
Total - 21/25 (84%)

Other than the chrome coating, Topps Chrome is a mirror image of its regular Topps predecessor (with a streamlined base set). The player photos pop on the cards as the player is brought to the forefront as the background is faded out. Refractor versions can be found for the base cards, including a regular refractor that falls around once in every three packs.

Three insert sets are highlighted in Topps Chrome. Ring Of Honor is a continuation set dedicated to showcasing the previous year's Super Bowl MVP. Cheerleaders focus on some of this year's NFL cheerleaders. National Chile is a throwback set to an actual set released back in 1935. All insert sets have various refractor parallels.

There's only 1 rookie auto per box in Topps Chrome. Each rookie autograph, much like the rest of the set, has parallels. Also, randomly inserted in hobby boxes are rookie patches with a subject base of 30 rookies.

In the end, Topps Chrome is a great product. For set collectors, the veteran half is fairly easy as you get over half of them in a box. The rookies however are harder, as they should be. With 12 per box, you would be looking at around a case to get lucky to get them all. Definitely enjoy seeing the National Chicle cards. Throwback sets are nice as long as they are not overdone as stand alone releases. Though you only get one autograph per box, you do get something extra in almost every pack between the inserts and refractors. But I do have to say that I miss the uncirculated box loaders from previous years.

Once again, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors at Topps for giving us the opportunity to open and review this release. For more information on all their products, you can check them out at www.topps.com.

[andrewcstein]

Nice break. The cheerleader cards are a bit unnecessary, but I always like this set.

[etmill01]

Nice review, I also think that the cheerleader cards were unnecessary..This has always been One of my favorite football sets..Ed

[hagansp]

I think the cheerleader set is the best part.

Thanks to Topps and Tony for the review, 1 hit per box is a turn off to me in today's market. If you pull it in the first pack and it's an average player what do you left to look forward to?

[MadMan1978]

Great review thank you tony

This years Chrome IMO are an awesome product! I look forward to doing this set!

[mikesilvia]

I prefer the one hit per box! Keeps the price down and keeps the focus on the rookies and set collecting.

[trevorp121]

Nice design and I also like the Cheerleader cards.

[garnett_21]

Nice break and review! One hit per box, while it seems low, is better for low-mid end collectors, as most can afford a box of a mid-end product. I just wish that the cheerleaders last names were included ;-) Thanks, Topps!

[WilyWestbrook0]

I've sampled this product and found it a fun break. All the classic Chrome elements are in place. Not too many hits to be had, but it's a mid end product, so that's OK with me.

[yankeesfan24]

nice break, i like the product this year