Are Topps Buyback cards the same as original vintage?
 

What are your thoughts on Topps buyback? Are they the same as original vintage?

If you bought a set in an auction and some of the commons were Topps Buybacks with a Topps stamp on them, would you consider those cards the same as original, better, worse?

As an example, I saw this 1970 Topps common for sale on Ebay in the UK today. I was pretty pleased because I don't see many 1970 Topps for sale in the UK. But I then I noticed it was a buyback. I had to look up what that meant. The condition isn't horrible but I'm not sure if that's the same as a vintage card (maybe better because it's been verified by Topps as Authentic) or worse.

So, let's have your thoughts on buybacks. Are the scourge or the earth? The best thing since sliced bread?

I, personally, think on a long-term basis these cards are going to be really good as they are a very small subset of the vintage card based upon.

I do understand the collectors who say they are no longer original and I get their POV but I think long-term these will appreciate in value.

However. if I were building a 1970 set I would not put one of these cards into my permanent set except as a place holder. There are more than enough 1970 Topps Willie Davis cards around to use one without the stamp.

Regards
Rich

I would put them with my set in a separate sheet overlaying to original

I collect Dodgers, so when I see them at a decent price, I would pick them up. That said, aside from Steve Garvey buybacks, I have never actively sought out any. I bought a few here and there and some lots mostly on impulse buys, but I am also not buying vintage singles much either. There are just too many to collect and often people do a poor job of describing them for sale, so finding them can be tricky too.

I agree with Rich though, millions of cards were printed originally, Many still survive today. How many have been "ruined" or "improved" by the official Topps applied stamp though? It is essentially an insert now. There will always be piles of regular 1970 Topps Willie Davis cards in all conditions, but there will only be a fraction of those stamped/embossed buybacks.