The toughest modern cards you're still looking for...
 

Here's a thread for those of you still looking for those tough modern cards that you'd love to add to your collection.

Maybe you've never seen what you're looking for or you've seen it and it just keeps eluding you.

Either way, post it here and maybe the right person will see what you need and send you a message!

Good luck!

For me it's the following:

1980 Topps Pepsi All-Star Prototype - Dave Lopes
1981 MSA FBI Bantam Soda Disc - Steve Garvey (single or panel)
1982 MSA FBI Bantam Soda Disc - Steve Garvey (single or panel)
1985 MSA Subway Discs - Fernando Valenzuela and/or Pedro Guerrero
1985 Topps Mini Steve Yeager (tan blank back variation)
1986 Meadow Gold Milk or Chocolate Milk Carton w/ Fernando Valenzuela pictured
1994 Oscar Mayer Disc of Mike Piazza in an unopened cello pack
1994 Topps Black Gold ABCD found it

I am looking for two cards from the 2001 Greats of The Game autograph set. I need the Willie Mays auto and the Willie Stargell redemption card.

Other than my ongoing Barry Larkin collection and signed 95 ud cc se , the only two modern cards I'm looking for are:

1995 ud cc se gold signature Jose Canseco. (got it on 5-13-13)

There are hundreds buried in 5000 ct monster boxes out there somewhere.

and

2009 A & G silk Chipper Jones.... not sure I'd even spring for that one if it showed up..:)

Topps 1981 Coke Yankees--missing one
 

The SCD Standard Catalog for 2011 ( when it still had the post 1980 listings) listed 12 Topps team sets produced in 1981 for Coca Cola. Eleven of the teamsets were made up of 12 cards, 11 players and one Header team card. The cards are like the regular 1981 Topps card but with a Coke logo. The backs are numbered 1-11. The Header cards allowed you to order a 132 card uncut sheet of 1981 Topps cards. They are not too tough to find

The 12th set, the Yankee team set was apparently not issued at retail. SCD list only 3 known cards, plus the Header card. The 3 players listed are Gossage, Jackson and Cerone.

I have been able to locate 7 others: Guidry, John, Nettles, Dent, Randolph, R Jones and Watson--see below. Since all the other sets involved 11 players, I think there must be one more Yankee, but I do not know who it is. Based on the composition of the other team sets, I believe it will turn out to be an outfielder.

The 3 Yankees listed in SCD are tough, though Larry Fritsch lists them for sale in his Catalog/Web Site, which is where I got those 3. The 7 below are very tough ( Topps Vault). The 11th Yankee card, whoever it is, is my modern era obsession.
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1357669393

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1357669431

Very cool AL! You really amaze me in your ability to locate items! It's a gift!

Try contacting Mike Jasperson at the Topps Company. He is in charge of curating the Topps Vault. Since most of the cards in the team set came from the Vault it would make sense that the missing one may have come from there. Who knows, maybe it's still in there buried under a 1971 Topps Greatest Moments wax pack wrapper, lol.

Not sure if anyone noticed, but most of those are missing the black ink.

Blackless
 

I have a Topps 1982 Blackless set...I noticed :)

Very cool cards!! They are numbered 1 to 3, right? I was only aware of the 3 which are part of the groups of 3 "proofs" for each team. I had the Kingman Cubs proof back in the 80's. This was the only different front card for the proofs. I believe there are 3 proofs for each team, with the only difference being the numbering (other than the Kingman). Do the "blackless" ones have backs?

Coke
 

The 3 checklisted cards and header have full backs and the player cards are numbered 1-3. The others are blank backed proofs

Cards I am still looking for
 

I am looking for a 78 RC Cola iron on George Brett

The 1991 Leaf Gold Rookie errors, with standard set numbering, are extremely scarce. I've been on the lookout for the Mussina for quite a while. I've only ever seen one of them on the bay, but didn't have the money at the time. Unfortunately, I don't have the money now, if another were to pop-up either.

1991 Leaf Gold Errors
 

Do you know if a Rickey Henderson exists?

I've never heard of these variations before. Thx in advance!

There wasn't a Henderson variation. It was only the first 12 that were released with the first series. They had them numbered as a continuation of the 1st series, before they decided to number them separately as an insert. So instead of BC-1 through 12, they were numbered 265-276.

I don't think the Stargell redemption card exists. We never could prove that when I was at Beckett, but Stargell passed on as these cards were being printed and to me, it's a long shot he actually signed these cards.

Rich

Hi Rich

I read Mawitzi's post the other day and was wondering the same thing. I know in 2000 I bought a small baseball card collection that contained an UD Legends Stargell autograph redemption card. After waiting months for the card to be redeemed, I received a letter from UD stating that Willie was in the hospital and was unable to sign the cards.

Later that year I received a package from UD along with another letter from UD apologizing for the amount of time it took to redeem the card.

It wasn't long after that Willie passed away.

I've never seen the 2001 GOTG redemption card, so I'm wondering too if it actually exists.


Jantz

Modern Cards I can't find:
 

I have 2 Modern White Whales. The 2003 Topps 205 Bobby Cox Bazooka Back, and the 2006 Allen & Ginter Bobby Cox Bazooka Back.

ive been searching forever for a 2000 upper deck legends legendary signatures derek jeter auto - all the years ive collected this set ive only seen 3 of the 61 produced

Rickey Henderson
 

I've seen most and have been fortunate enough to buy some of the toughest Rickey Henderson cards out there, including the 1977 Chong, the '82 Topps Blackless, the 1982 Fleer Test, 1984 Topps "Proof" (Head-in-Box), and the 1992 Procter & Gamble Promo...BUT...I still have never seen (but would be willing to pay a nice sum for) the:

1990 Donruss Aqueous Test

Anyone have one or know of one, please let me know!

Thanks!!!

I wouldn't mind finding a reasonably priced 1986 Donruss Highlights White Letter variation Bo Jackson.. Don't see too many reasonably priced ones though..

I had a "find" of 1981-1983 Fleer Proof sheets back in 1987. In the 100 or so sheets were 2 complete blank back proof sets (2 sheets to a set) of the 1981Fleer Stickers. The Rickey Henderson had his photo, but listed Steve Henderson Mets. There were a few other players that were different. I cut one set and sold the other set in an Alan Rosen Auction around 1989-90. Don't know if more than 2 exist but it was a really cool item! I think he was at the bottom corner of the sheet as well so it would have color bars.

1973 Sherbrooke Pirates - anyone ever seen this minor league team issue?

1981 fleer stickers proof
 

Mike - that sounds so awesome...do you have any scans or photos??!!??

That would definitely be a "must-have" for my Henderson collection!!!

I wish I took more pics and had a decent camera at the time. I took a few pics of the sheets and some of the unissued proofs, but most of those had bad flash spots. Things are so easy now with digital.

I have been looking for the following for years. Any help?

Claudell Washington
1977 Rangers Team Issue - 21
1982 Braves Burger King Lids - 25
1985 Braves TBS America's Team - 4

Dane Iorg
1984 Royals Postcards - 15

Don Robinson
1985 Pirates - 18
1990 Giants Smokey - 17

Garth Iorg
1979 Syracuse Chiefs Team Issue - 9
1980 Syracuse Chiefs Team Issue - 11

Jesse Orosco
1985 Mets Colla Postcards - 21
1987 Mets Colla Postcards - 19
1990 Indians Team Issue - 32
1995 Orioles Postcards - 38
1996 Orioles Postcards - 25

Johnny Grubb
1973 Linnett Portraits - 155

Ken Phelps
1986 Mariners Pacific Northwest Bell - 10

Luis Salazar
1989 Padres Coke - 15

Mike Greenwood
1987 Pocatello Giants The Bon - 9

Mike Morgan
1988 Orioles Postcards - 21
2000 Pacific Platinum Blue - 427

Otis Nixon
1993 Braves Lykes Perforated - 21
1993 Braves Lykes Standard - 26
1998 Paramount Holographic Silver - 64
1998 Ultra Platinum Medallion - 356
1999 Braves Atlanta Journal-Constitution Jumbos - 11

U.L. Washington
1975 Omaha Royals Team Issue - 17
1976 Omaha Royals Top Trophies - 25
1982 Royals - 21
1984 Royals Postcards - 34

This is the card that I am looking for. I realize that none were signed. I need the redemption card.

Attachment 86434

I've been looking for a well centered NM+ 1978 Topps Burger King of Lou Whitaker. Haven't had much luck. The ones that pop up on Ebay are either in bad shape, well off-centered, or over-priced. Never had so much trouble with a $10 card.

I was lucky enough to pick up this Mays card last year. They don't pop up often.


Atleast you've seen one, I don't remember ever coming across one. I am also on the hunt for the 2000 Legends and the 2000 GOTG Jeter. I picked up all versions of the 96 Leaf Signature and Extended before the prices really took off so I'm happy about that.


Jim.

1971 Bazooka Dick Allen
 

I don't collect a whole lot of modern but this is the toughest one I am looking for:

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps441bab8a.jpg

this was the image i saved from the last one that sold on ebay about a year ago

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2000-UD-LEGEN...1,Q~~60_12.JPG

Only one (or two, depending on how a sheet is actually defined) full sheet (264 cards) of the 1990 Donruss set was done in the Aqueous Test "set". The cards were the first 10 MVPs and certain cards from 1-283. Rickey doesn't have an Aqueous Test card.

1990 Donruss Aqueous
 

Thanks to you (and another poster) for setting me straight. I also reached out to Brad Abbott (owner of rickeyhendersoncollectibles.com) and he said the same. I suspect the more recent SCD Price Guides have been updated accordingly. I had found Henderson checklisted in the 2003 SCD Guide.

All the best.

2007 UD Masterpieces Box Topper autos
 

I'm always looking for 2007 Upper Deck Masterpieces Box Topper autograph cards. There are 18 in the set. They're approximately 5"x7". I'm especially interested in the Koufax auto. Please contact me if you have any for sale. Below is my Ripken for an example:

Mauer
 

Every Mauer 2002 rookie card. Need only a few, T206 Uzit's etc will be tough. And the Gold Refractor BC

i just wanted to say hi and i am new on here. a huge bo jackson fan.

i am looking for the 1989 score football bo jackson promo and the 1990 score baseball bo jackson promo. they say the production numbers for the 1990 score baseball promos might be as little as 2 per card

I may have one of these. I'll have to dig around and get back to you...

friendly bump..........
 

Not sure why this doesn't "bump" when responses are made.

I love this thread. Spent most of my life assuming there were no true rarities in the era that I grew up collecting so I find it truly fascinating to read about all the difficult cards and variations. Thanks for posting.

Jarrod - if you have that NM+ Burger King Whitaker - I'd be glad to purchase it from you. My Trammell needs his pal!

Todd

Rarities & Variations
 

If you want to learn more about rarities & variations, make sure to get ALR talking about the stuff he has seen. What a store house of knowledge with some interesting cards & variations.

What an interesting collection he has online.....thanks for showing me parts of your collection ALR.

Z Wheat

1980 topps prototype coins
 

The last known count of Garvey's are 2 silver and 1 bronze. I could be wrong, don't know if any surfaced in the past 2 years

Topps 1980 Coins
 

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img023.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img024.jpg

I've never seen these coins before. However, I was born in '82. They look kinda cool.

1980 Coins
 

Unissued test item, with only Garvey, Carew and Jackson. Have seen them in gold, silver and bronze colors. Extremely scarce.

12 coins known so far, They are prototypes that never made it to production for a test issue . Still waiting for more to show up to see if three colors were minted for each

Coins
 

I gave a gold Jackson I had to a friend. He also has a Carew. Agree they were prototypes for a developed but unissued test set, much like the 61 Dice, 55 Stamps, 66 Punch Outs, 70 Cloth and 71 Rookie Artists Proofs , all of which are more valuable. There is a thread on the 80 coins in the post 80 forum

Great items Al! Thanks for sharing! What is the Bench/Wills item?

Bench/Wills item
 

Mike---that item is listed in SCD's Standard Catalog as a "1980 Topps( ?) Sticker Prototype". It lists 4 other two player panels as well. This is the only one I have or have seen personally. I assume the ( ?) means Bob Lemke was not positive it was a Topps item. The Wills pictured is obviously not Maury. But The Topps 1973 reprint set of 8 has 3 incorrectly identified players, so Topps is know to have made mistakes .

Here are 2 other items, one which has a comical number of errors, that may or may not really be Topps items. The Mantle is listed under Topps in SCD, but not the Puffy Stickers

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img028.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...9/P1010074.jpg

Interesting items! The Wills looks like Bump. I really like the 1980 Yankees team card as well. Is that a blank back proof?

For modern cards, here are two that are driving me crazy! Neither one of these should cost more than $5, but I have been looking for about 3 years for both of these for my Cardinals team sets.

1990 Topps Folders / Sport Shots / Portfolio / Duo-Tang Pedro Guerrero

2001 Topps Retrofractors 146 Fernando Tatis

= = =

Now, I know these are older than 1980, but here is what I need for the rest of my Cardinals collection. Some of these are next to impossible, but here goes!

1955 Topps Hocus Focus - Wally Moon

1955 Topps Stamps - Joe Cunningham, Alex Grammas, Harvey Haddix

1961 Topps Dice Game - Stan Musial, Bill White

1966 Topps Punchouts - Curt Flood

1967 Topps Discs - Orlando Cepeda

1967 Topps Stand Ups - Orlando Cepeda, Tim McCarver

1968 Topps Plaks - Orlando Cepeda (plak; I have the checklist)

1969 Topps 4-in-1 Stickers - Steve Huntz & Mike Torrez Rookie Stars (with Carl Yastrzemski)

1970 Topps Candy Lids - Richie Allen

1972 Topps Candy Lids - Lou Brock, Bob Gibson

1973 Topps Comics - Joe Torre

Full Picture

2013 Topps Heritage Bryce Harper - Washington Senators throwback uniform.

this one is a toughie..

tough modern card
 

Mauer 2002 topps chrome black ref

And any of his 2002 206 toughies


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I got an Alex Gordon cut out that's autographed


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How about the Frank Thomas NNOF error? Seems they don't come up often and go for a strong price. Counterfeits are everywhere.

Al, I'd like to think we're friends, whenever you want to send Garvey this way I'm open arms. :D

No Name
 

Bill--to which Thomas were your referring ?

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img252.jpg
http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...psbe3acf4f.jpg

The Alex Gordon foil only card has a TON of fakes out there. Your is a good one.

Now that on IS rare Al. All you need is to insert a swatch of Frank's underwear and you could sell it as a Topps Heritage "Piece of the Game" Card...

Any of the 2010 UD Exquisite patches out of 2010 UD Series 1 baseball are tough to find. The baseballcardpedia checklist for the set still is not complete.

2006 Allen & Ginter Postcards of Barry Bonds and Gary Carter. I've searched for quite some time with no luck.

The Standard Catalog claims Dave Winfield has a disc in the 1986 Sportflics Jumbo Disc set, but I've never seen one anywhere. I suspect that card does not exist.

Other Winfields I've never seen hide, nor hair of:

1985 MSA Subway Discs (which is supposedly identical to the 1985 Thom McAn, but with a blank back)

1989 Donruss/Leaf Blue Chips #6 (prototype for the Grand Slammers set. I've seen Cansecos and McGwires with both Donruss and Leaf logos, but never seen a Winfield with either)

1993 Topps/R&N China porcelain #131 (SCD claims the entire 1993 set was issued in porcelain. So far I've only been able to track 77 of 825 individual cards done in porcelain, but no Winfield).

1999 Padres MADD #23 (not even sure what this looks like, assuming it was SGA)
- Holy crap. I just did a completed search and see a complete set of these just sold last month for under $10. Somehow it never popped in my saved eBay search. I hate that!

I have seen some Ripken Subway discs, and a few Schmidt subway discs, but outside of that nothing. I suspect because of their blank backs they are being listed as something else.

They do exist they were on a Slurpee card board advertisement for 7-Eleven I only got 1 sign the disc came due to the glue drying out

My bad thinking of 7-11 not Sportsfics

I keep seeing the same handful of Ripkens and Schmidts listed over and over.

Yeah, I've seen several listed that way, but I have the over-sized 7-11 piece, and it was from 1985.

I wish those big catalog books had some sort of source reference database for how they built their checklists.

I'm looking for a 1989-90 Topps Randy Cunneyworth Penguins variation. I've never even seen one.

I don't recall where but I can confirm seeing a scan of it. Many people seem to be under the assumption that it depicts him in a Penguins jersey but the error is in the team name lettering on front, saying "pittsburgh penguins" beneath his name while still depicting him in the airbrushed Jets uniform.

Does it have the Penguins logo where the team logo is? I've always assumed that was what the difference was.

No, the image that I saw has the Jets logo but the black lettering under his name spells "pittsburgh penguins."

1989 Fleer #81 Wade Boggs without the black spot after Throws Right.

Here is a picture of the 1989 Fleer Wade Boggs Dot and No Dot after Throws Right versions. I have at least 250 of the Dot version and only 1 of the No Dot version. If any one has a No Dot version and you would part with it please let me know. With the insane # of these cards printed I know there has to be more out there, I just can't find one.

I sold a pair of them 5 or 6 years ago for a couple bucks. I recall there being a couple sales of them around that time. I've never seen another copy for sale since.

Thanks for the response. I have been looking for another one off and on since they came out and only have the one pictured.

Are you the person with the Junk Wax Gems error site?

Would love to find the last three Pep boys/Champion Phillies from 1987 that I need. Finally saw a Schmidt last week and bought it quick but have never seen the three commons.

Joshua

Hi, yes, that is my site. Though, it's been fairly derelict for some time. The only exception being that I try to respond to posted questions and the occasional updated "ongoing checklist."

Thank you for keeping it up and going. I still use it from time to time for the error lists.

That's really bizarre. I collected Boggs like crazy in the mid-late 90s and never read about this. I completely missed the boat. Thanks for sharing.