If you’re looking to spend a little quality time with new cardboard this holiday season, you’re in luck. From a couple of fresh releases to a few others set to arrive before 2019 arrives, there is some variety in the market.
Courtesy of The Break Exchange, here’s a quick roundup of new releases from the trading card partners of the NBA, NFL and MLB.
2018 Topps Transcendent (12/14)
‘Transcendent is in its third year and definitely targeted at those who are confident they can make a profit—or really want to meet Mike Trout.
Only 83 Transcendent boxes were made this year. Each includes an invitation to the annual winter party where you’ll meet a big name guest and get some free exclusive autographed cards. Last year it was Hank Aaron in Atlanta. This time, it’s Trout February 22 in Arizona. Your pass includes lodging and accommodations.
As for the cards in the boxes, you’ll get over 50 autographs all numbered to 25 or less including at least two 1/1s, a complete base set, complete sketch card set and a 1/1 1952-style Superfractor. A Babe Ruth cut autograph has already been pulled.
There’s one box of Transcendent offered by Steel City Collectibles on eBay right now, priced at over $28,000.
2018 Bowman Draft (12/14)
Also fresh to the market, but not nearly as pricey, Draft once again comes in two configurations: the standard Jumbo box will consist of 12 packs of 32 cards including 23 base cards, seven Chrome base cards and two refractor parallels. Each full box will contain three autographs. Jumbo boxes are currently running about $170.
The Super Jumbo boxes have five packs and 600 total cards per box including a bounty of Refractor parallels and five autographs, on average, with prices online currently at around $270.
Of course, this one is focused on the newest draft picks and best prospects. Their autographed cards–especially the low serial numbered parallels– are the ones that sell for sky-high prices once they become stars.
2018-19 Panini Revolution Basketball (12/14)
Revolution is back for another year, offering a solo images of players on holographic stock with glitzy backgrounds and the chase for the one-per-case Galactic parallels.
Each box has eight packs with five cards in each. Every box should have four rookie cards, four inserts and eight parallels with autographs (all on-card) falling eight per case. Boxes can be had for $70-$80 online now.
The autograph possibilities include current stars, retired legends and hot rookies, and includes the likes of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson, Deandre Ayton, Trae Young and Luka Doncic.
2018 Donruss Optic Football (12/19)
Optic is essentially the Donruss brand product printed on a chrome stock. Each box will have 20 packs with four cards per pack. Boxes should deliver one autograph, ten rookie cards, ten Rated Rookies (part of the 150-card base set), ten parallels and four inserts.
New this year are Downtown inserts which feature original artwork on each card. Base versions will fall roughly one every 240 packs.
Other highlights include: Rated Rookies Autographs, Rookie Patch Autographs, Rookie Dual Autographs, Rookie Triple Autographs that include Gold Vinyl 1/1 versions, 1988 Tribute Autographs, 1998 Tribute Autographs and Legends Series Autographs.
Optic is being sold at the hobby, retail and Panini Store levels so there are plenty of different configurations.
2018 Bowman’s Best Baseball (12/21)
This is a hobby exclusive product that will be released on Friday, December 21 and you can grab a spot in one of The Break Exchange’s spots scheduled for that day.
Topps is promising four autograph cards per hobby box. There will be two mini-boxes in each hobby box, with six packs in each mini-box. Every pack will contain four Bowman’s Best base cards and a base card refractor parallel.
The base set will feature a regular checklist and a Top Prospects checklist.
A hobby box will contain one Atomic refractor.
Best of 2018 Autographs will be the most common of the signed cards in the product, featuring veterans, rookies, prospects and draft picks.
Box prices are currently running $120-$130.
2018-19 Contenders NBA Basketball (12/28) -Update: Moved to 1/11
Contenders made its NBA trading card debut last year and is back for 2018-19, packing 12 packs per box. Current pricing is running a bit hot at $195 or so.
Each box will have two autographs. The Rookie Season Ticket Autographs will feature this year’s top draft picks with Rookie Season Tickets Cracked Ice (#’d/25), Opti-Chrome Rookie Season Tickets Premium Edition Gold (#’d/10), and Rookie Season Tickets Championship Tickets (1/1) among the major hits.
Also look for Historic Rookie Tickets, which feature current NBA stars showcased on their original team with on-card autographs and autographed cards of young and established vets in MVP Contenders and Sophomore Contenders.
Contenders Optic Preview cards are new and will be tough to find.
Also scheduled for release are Topps Chrome Premier League Soccer (12/19), Topps Legends of WWE (12/21); Leaf Stickwork (12/28) and Leaf Best of Football (12/28).
The Break Exchange will be breaking some of these products in the coming days. The company offers daily breaks of current and past products you can participate in and watch online. You can learn more about how to get involved in their box and case breaks and even sell your cards through their website by clicking here.
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2017 Topps Transcendent Includes 50+ Autographs, Meeting with Hank Aaron
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New Sports Card Releases June 26-July 4
