2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations Guide
The 2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations have lots going on. But that’s the expectation with the brand now. Most are returning themes but there is one new one that integrates seamlessly into the 1972 Topps Baseball design that the product is based on.
Action Images Variations
Kicking off the variations in 2021 Topps Heritage Baseball are Action Images. The idea here is simple. Regular base cards have a lot of posed shots. Action Image Variations swap out the photo for something that actually has some movement like a batter swinging, someone running or a pitcher actually throwing the ball instead of showing a fastball grip with an awkward photo day grin.
Action Image Variations are also home to some single-player rookies. Rookie Cards in the base set have two or three players. The variations focus on just one, although the photo doesn’t change. But for the checklist, they’re usually grouped together with the same odds.
Action Image Variations are exclusive to hobby packs.
More Returning Variations
Nickname, Team Name Color Swap and Error Variations are also back. Nickname cards are about as straightforward as they come in Heritage. Instead of the player’s name on the front, it’s an alternate moniker.
Team Name Color Swap Variations do just that. The team name on the front has two colors making the 3-D effect. On variations, these two colors switch spots.
Errors are not really “errors” in the sense that they’re manufactured mistakes. Typos, shifts in color and messed up stats are just some of the often inconspicuous ways that Error Variations arrive.
Throwback Uniform cards are the toughest 2021 Topps Heritage Baseball variations. Like Action Image, these are photo swaps. But this time there’s a more defined theme with players wearing old-time jerseys and caps from Turn Back the Clock Nights. Throwbacks are incredibly tough to find and can lead to some major sales.
Falling Stars
New this year are Missing Stars Variations. The idea of these is fairly simple. And while easy to miss in the sense that they don’t jump out, they’re not hard to spot. Base cards have a pair of stars under the team name on the front. Missing Stars Variations do not.
Don’t Worry About Codes or Staring at Fine Print
Heritage has become the easiest brand in Topps’ portfolio to confirm variations. Typically, outside of galleries and remembering specific images, collectors resort to looking at the fine print on the back as it’s often a tell.
But here, like the past couple of years, variations are labeled clearly. Not only do the cards tell you they’re a variation, they say exactly what type as well.
Flip the card over and look at the number on the back. Directly below it in the colored area is a label.
It’s that simple. And while the writing isn’t the biggest, it’s still much easier and more clear than the typical code method.
One thing to note is that Throwback Uniform Variations have “Alternate” as their label on the back.
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations Checklist
Here’s a quick checklist of all of the variations. If you’re looking for a specific card, click on the links to see what’s currently available on eBay.
11 Alec Bohm – Action | Throwback
13 Bryce Harper – Action | Missing Stars | Nickname | Team Color | Throwback
15 Sixto Sanchez – Action
17 Yadier Molina – Team Color
31 Pete Alonso – Nickname
33 Luis Robert – Action | Nickname | Team Color | Throwback
35 Juan Soto – Action | Missing Stars | Team Color
37 Clayton Kershaw – Nickname | Team Color
45 Joey Votto – Team Color
47 Shane Bieber – Action | Missing Stars | Team Color
51 Javier Baez – Action | Error | Missing Stars | Nickname | Team Color
97 Ke’Bryan Hayes – Action | Throwback
99 Jacob deGrom – Action | Missing Stars | Team Color
101 Kyle Lewis – Throwback
103 Paul Goldschmidt – Throwback
109 Luis Garcia – Action
121 Aaron Judge – Action | Missing Stars | Nickname | Team Color
123 Matt Chapman – Team Color
137 Fernando Tatis Jr. – Action | Error | Missing Stars | Nickname | Team Color | Throwback
163 Alex Bregman – Team Color
167 Mookie Betts – Action | Missing Stars | Team Color
169 Mike Trout – Action | Error | Missing Stars | Nickname | Team Color
173 Cody Bellinger – Action | Team Color
175 Anthony Rizzo – Error | Team Color
179 Joey Gallo – Throwback
181 Max Scherzer – Action | Missing Stars | Team Color
185 Bobby Dalbec – Action
187 Nick Madrigal – Action | Throwback
188 Jo Adell – Action
230 Byron Buxton – Team Color | Throwback
239 Andrew McCutchen – Nickname | Team Color | Throwback
249 Gerrit Cole – Team Color
251 Christian Yelich – Action | Missing Stars | Team Color
253 Casey Mize – Action
293 Bo Bichette – Team Color | Throwback
295 Dylan Carlson – Throwback
299 Ronald Acuna Jr. – Action | Error | Missing Stars | Team Color
301 Nate Pearson – Action | Throwback
307 Nelson Cruz – Nickname | Throwback
313 Nolan Arenado – Action | Team Color
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations Gallery
Use the tabs to easily navigate between variation styles. The gallery is a work in progress. Images will be added as they become available.
Action
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations – Action Image
11 Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
13 Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
15 Sixto Sanchez, Miami Marlins
33 Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
35 Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
47 Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians
51 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
97 Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates
99 Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
109 Luis Garcia, Washinton Nationals
121 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
137 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
167 Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
169 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
173 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
181 Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
185 Bobby Dalbec, Boston Red Sox
187 Nick Madrigal, Chicago White Sox
188 Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels
251 Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers
253 Casey Mize, Detroit Tigers
299 Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
301 Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays
313 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
Error
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations – Errors
Odds:
- Blaster – 1:7,354 packs
51 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
137 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
169 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
175 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
299 Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
Missing Stars
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations – Missing Stars
Odds:
- Blaster – 1:3,076 packs
13 Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
35 Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
47 Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians
51 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
99 Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
121 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
137 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
167 Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
169 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
181 Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
251 Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers
299 Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
Nickname
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations – Nickname
Odds:
- Blaster – 1:3,692 packs
13 Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
31 Pete Alonso, New York Mets
33 Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
37 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
51 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
121 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
137 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
169 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
239 Andrew McCutchen, Philadelphia Phillies
307 Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins
Throwback
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Throwback Uniform Variations
Odds:
- Blaster – 1:17,772 packs
If you look on the back and see “Alternate” for the label under the card number, it’s a Throwback Uniform Variation.
11 Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies
13 Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
33 Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
97 Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates
101 Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners
103 Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals
137 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
179 Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers
187 Nick Madrigal, Chicago White Sox
230 Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
239 Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
293 Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
295 Dylan Carlson, St. Louis Cardinals
301 Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays
307 Nelson Cruz, Minnesota Twins
Color Swap
2021 Topps Heritage Baseball Variations – Team Name Color Swap
13 Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
17 Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
33 Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
35 Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
37 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
45 Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
47 Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians
51 Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
99 Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
121 Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
123 Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics
137 Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
163 Alex Bregman, Houston Astros
167 Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
169 Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
173 Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
175 Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
181 Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
230 Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
239 Andrew McCutchen, Philadelphia Phillies
249 Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
251 Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers
293 Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays
299 Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
313 Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
What does “alternate” mean on the back of the card. I know “Action” and “Nickname” but this is the first I’ve seen of “Alternate”
It looks like these are the Throwbacks.
I pulled the chrome refractor version of the Luis Robert. It has the same picture as his base heritage, with the All Star Rookie trophy. Except the chrome refractor also has the RC logo on it. Why is that considering last year was actually his rookie year? Any input would help. Thanks
@Lance – Just looks like an oversight. Appears as though all are that way.
I do appreciate heritage being the only product that clearly lists its variations. I was at a local card show yesterday and I pulled a great many 2020 Panini Prizm variations out of a bin and then spent at least 20 minutes trying to identify them all. There were a good 10 different variations. The serial numbered ones were easy, although the Red Donut and Red Mojo ones would have looked exactly the same otherwise.
I stumbled upon a virtual sea of 2021 series 1 base in a dime bin also and for a moment I actually considered trying to look at the numbers on the back to see if I could spot a variation that maybe got missed by the dealer, but my 45 year old eyes could barely make out the serial number and I gave up after a few seconds.
Viva variations, though.
I scored a Hot Box with 25 purple refractors nice hits.
Thanks for the information. Also, I noticed many wrong backs appearing on Ebay. Are this intentional misprints or mistakes by Topps? And, where are these being found? Thanks!
@Roxy – I’m keeping an eye on the wrong backs but I don’t think they’re intentional. Historically, it’s a common printing mistake and they tend to clump together. From what I’ve seen online, it looks like a lot of the same sellers. That’s not to say Topps isn’t trying to sneak some by as a surprise but they haven’t confirmed and all signs currently point to printing mistake.
Any one else getting a bunch of red border cards?
I’ve seen cards on eBay saying there flip stick, what does that mean
@Roger – Flip stock? Those are parallels that are intentionally printed on the opposite side of the sheet. Basically, fronts feel like backs normally would and backs are more glossy.
For the In Action cards, I’ve seen four different variations on the backs: 1. Puzzle pieces, 2. Topps News 2020 highlights, 3. So you’re a baseball expert and 4. Lists of league leaders. I’ve seen some listed as errors on ebay. Has Topps announced if all are intentional?
@Eddie – From what I’ve seen, individual cards have only one back. For example, every Alec Bohm has a Topps News back, Tim Anderson has Baseball Expert, etc.
Hey Ryan, have you noticed the wrong back error cards? They seem to always correspond with the error front and back which makes me believe it could be intentional. For example the Tatis wrong back error seems to always have a Brandon Lowe back and vice versa Tatis error back on Brandon Lowe front. Your take?
Also just noticed the incorrect back (error?) Cards that I’ve pulled all have upside down orientation to the non error cards. They easily stand out when you have all the cards in one orientation on the front the errors all have an opposite or reverse orientation than the non error cards. Interesting…..
@Brandon – Answered a couple of comments above. Looks like they’re printing mistakes.
I just pulled a Liam Hendriks name error card – printed as Liam “Hendricks”. Appears to be just his base card with no variation listed in the fine print.
i have at least 26 error cards where the back does not match the front
I have an Anthony Rizzo (Cubs) error card #175. The “error” designation is listed on the back of the card and pertains to the date under the cartoon on the right side of the card being listed on 2 lines instead of 1 line. This card also has the zoomed out player image instead of the zoomed in image – which version is the normal image? Lastly, the team color swap variation is normally the dominant color of green instead of yellow – but this card has the letters C and S in green and the letters U and B in yellow. Is this a 3 error card? Thank you!
@Richard – All of his Error Variations are the same.
I have a 2021 topps homerun challenge nolan arenado (front) with a Christian yelich back, including the number (hrc-16), unscratched of course. I can’t find any other cards from the set like this anywhere. Nothing on ebay and nothing comes up when I use a search engine. Anyone come across any other HRC cards like this?
I found a 226 Austin Riley card with Zach Efrin picture on the front
Pulled 5 trouts, Otani, Bichette, Judge. Nice Cards. $10 a box
Hello I have a 25 /72 all black glossy Matt champman was wondering what exactly or what vartion this card is I cannot find it anywhere
@Mark – Sounds like a Chrome Black card. The full checklist for Heritage is here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2021-topps-heritage-baseball-cards/
So is the Mike Trout #169 no name “error” card valuable?
What about the Mike Trout front with Paul Goldschmidt name/stays on back and the Paul Goldschmidt front with Mike Trout name/stats on back?
@barry – The wrong backs appear to be printing mistakes. They’re explained in multiple comments above.
Thank you! What about the Mike trout with no name on front?
It’s one of the deliberate Error Variations. It’s in the gallery on this post.
Why does the angels players have their team name missing on back of the card on bottom right where all other teams have it italicized??? I found some with the team name but most are missing? Anyone notice this??? TIA
@Mike – It’s in the language of Topps’ deal with MLB. They’re only allowed to use the team name for the Angels and not the full Los Angeles Angels. Might have something to do with that.
I know you voiced the “wrong back” issue already, but I also see correct back versions as well. I have the Alec Bohm/Spencer Howard #11 front with the Sandy Alcantara #273 back and the Sandy Alcantara front #273 with the Alec Bohm/Spencer Howard #11 back, as well. But Ebay has corrected versions of both with the right backs being sold. So Topps either did this on purpose or found the error and corrected and redistributed them. If it’s the latter, it might be interesting to see which one becomes the short printed version.
They are printing mistakes. It happens during printing. Sheets can get messed up, out of order or any number of things. This has been happening for decades in a number of products. It does not appear to be intentional although it appears to be more widespread this year. It also looks like those who pull them might end up with several, which also suggests a production mistake as the cards would be coming from similar sheets.
Why does the mike trout not have a team name on the back of card bottom right side?
@Travis – It’s explained a couple of comments above this.
I found a #38 Clayton Kershaw card where the back is backwards. Unlike the ones listed in your article, it appears to be a genuine mistake. It’s the only one out of the 1,000+ cards I have for 2021 Topps Heritage. I checked, and it’s the correct back for the card, it’s just reversed. It’s one of the cards that says “SO YOU’RE A BASEBALL EXPERT.” Except when you’re looking at the card upright, and flip it over…the card number is bottom left, when it should be top right. Just a weird error I can’t find much else on. I doubt any change in value, but it’s still odd which makes it…pretty fargin’ cool.
redemption special autograph cards of aaron judge
a bit late on the train but, i have a jazz chisholm jr “no stars” card. why is he not on the checklist?
Is it from Heritage High Number? https://www.beckett.com/news/2021-topps-heritage-high-number-baseball-variations-guide/