Help identifying years of issue

[swarmee]

1988 Topps, 1992 Triple Play, 1988 Score.

Normally easiest way of doing it is to look at the last year of the stat line, then add 1. So a card with 1987 stats is probably from 1988.

[Elberson]

Good rule of thumb……if the last year of stats on the back show 1987…..than most likely 1988….

[G1911]

1986 is the oldest I see, 1992 the newest.

[ocjack]

Thanks everyone. I can tell a '52 Topps from a mile away, but I never collected those more recent issues.

Hope you all have a happy Sunday.

[gonefishin]

A sure fire way to determine the year is look at the copyright year, on the back, small letters. Works every time.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by gonefishin

A sure fire way to determine the year is look at the copyright year, on the back, small letters. Works every time.

Except when it doesn't. But it will at least get you within a year or two. Some hockey or basketball cards (or even baseball) are printed/copyrighted in one year, then released in the following. Like this variation of 1994 Topps BlackGold:

1994 Topps - Black Gold #42.1 - Sammy Sosa (1993 Copyright)
Courtesy of COMC.com

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by ocjack

Thanks everyone. I can tell a '52 Topps from a mile away, but I never collected those more recent issues.

Hope you all have a happy Sunday.

If you want to feel old, note that the newest of these "recent" issues is 30 years old this year.