2020 Topps Baseball Parallels: What They Look Like and Where to Find Them
Found a 2020 Topps card that looks a lot like a base card but something seems a little off? Chances are it’s one of two things. If the photo’s different, it’s probably a variation short print. If the color in the sidebar is different, you’ve likely come across a 2020 Topps Baseball parallel.
Parallels are essentially different versions of the main card. They bring in slightly different looks, sometimes different card stock and, of course, something that’s more rare.
The 2020 Topps Baseball rainbow has more than a dozen parallels. Some are obvious due to their shiny backdrop or patterned approach. Others might be a little more tricky to spot given the thin edge of the nameplate. This is where the different colors are incorporated.
In addition to rarity, collectors also have exclusives to consider when chasing a parallel rainbow. Several are exclusive to specific pack types while others are only available at certain stores.
One thing to note are cards with missing Topps logos. These aren’t planned parallels. Rather, they’re printing errors that missed the foil stamp step.
Here’s a full gallery of all the 2020 Topps Baseball parallels including details on where to find them, known print runs and pack odds.
2020 Topps Baseball Parallels Guide and Gallery
Base
Rainbow Foil
Hobby: 1:10
Hobby Jumbo: 1:2
Retail: 1:10
Blaster: 1:10
Retail Fat Packs: 1:4
Hanger Boxes: 1:2
Buy on:
Gold
Print Run: /2020
Hobby: 1:14
Hobby Jumbo: 1:5
Retail: 1:12
Blaster: 1:14
Retail Fat Packs: 1:6
Hanger Boxes: 1:3
Buy on:
Advanced Stats
Print Run: /300
Hobby: 1:107
Hobby Jumbo: 1:33
Retail: 1:94
Retail Fat Packs: 1:44
Buy on:
Vintage Stock
Print Run: /99
Hobby: 1:283
Hobby Jumbo: 1:86
Retail: 1:248
Blaster: 1:283
Retail Fat Packs: 1:117
Hanger Boxes: 1:60
Buy on:
Independence Day
Print Run: /76
Hobby: 1:359
Hobby Jumbo: 1:110
Retail: 1:314
Blaster: 1:359
Retail Fat Packs: 1:148
Hanger Boxes: 1:75
Buy on:
Father’s Day Powder Blue
Print Run: /50
Hobby: 1:546
Hobby Jumbo: 1:156
Retail: 1:478
Blaster: 1:546
Retail Fat Packs: 1:225
Hanger Boxes: 1:114
Buy on:
Mother’s Day Hot Pink
Print Run: /50
Hobby: 1:546
Hobby Jumbo: 1:156
Retail: 1:478
Blaster: 1:546
Retail Fat Packs: 1:225
Hanger Boxes: 1:114
Buy on:
Memorial Day Camo
Print Run: /25
Hobby: 1:1,091
Hobby Jumbo: 1:332
Retail: 1:972
Blaster: 1:1,093
Retail Fat Packs: 1:449
Hanger Boxes: 1:228
Buy on:
Clear
Print Run: /10
Only in hobby packs.
Printed on acetate stock making backgrounds somewhat see-through. Just 100 cards from Series 1 are included (found on the checklist).
Hobby: 1:437
Buy on:
Platinum
Print Run: 1/1
Hobby: 1:27,475
Hobby Jumbo: 1:8,332
Retail: 1:31,968
Blaster: 1:28,015
Retail Fat Packs: 1:11,527
Hanger Boxes: 1:6,674
Buy on:
Printing Plates
Print Run: 1/1
Each card has a Black, Cyan, Magenta and Red version.
Hobby: 1:6,801
Hobby Jumbo: 1:2,073
Retail: 1:6,394
Blaster: 1:6,857
Retail Fat Packs: 1:2,810
Hanger Boxes: 1:1,431
Buy on:
Trying to find a baseball card store so I can take them and get appraised and graded. I live near Syracuse,Ny if you know where I can go and get this done could you let me know plz thanks K. Hicks
@Kim – Here are some search results for card shops in the area: https://www.google.com/search?q=syracuse+sports+card+stores&oq=syracuse+sports+card+stores&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.6398j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Have you any information on the cards missing the topps logo and are they a intentional error or an actually manufacturing error, and what will there value be if corrected as to being left un-corrected…????
@JD – It’s mentioned in this article. Printing error.
Dont get me wrong, all these different variations of cards are really cool and make the chase for those top value cards all the more exciting. As I look at these though, you really have to know what you’re looking at to make some of these distinctions. For instance, the base from the clear, then the platinums compared to the golds. This has become almost too tricky and too varied unless, as I stated earlier, you really know your stuff when it comes to these. I used to be a very avid collector back in the 80s and 90s, and I’m just now finding myself scratching another itch when it comes to card collecting. Things have changed so much, that’s for sure!
Can you explain the differences now days between hobby boxes, hanger boxes, jumbo boxes?? Dinosaur collector that left the hobby with packs, boxes and sets. Now I’m finding myself drawn to collecting but don’t know where to start. Thanks.
@Joe – Different types of boxes at different price points. They have different sizes, number of cards, exclusives, better (or worse) odds on stuff like autographs. Hobby boxes are the ones aimed for card stores. Retail boxes are the ones you find at place like Walmart and Target.
A full breakdown of the odds for 2020 Topps Series 1 are attached to the checklist found here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2020-topps-series-1-baseball-cards/
A little more on hobby boxes versus retail boxes can be found here: https://www.beckett.com/news/hobby-or-retail-sports-cards-boxes/
HI-
I have a 2020 leaf rookie baseball card -Oswald Perazaz -Leaf # 50. What is meant by gold parallel card ?
Thanks
Gold versions would have Gold somewhere on the card. Depending on the set, typically on the border or in the text. Parallels have fewer copies than the regular cards.
Pulled a Vlad Guerrero Jr (Turkey Red) stamped gold 1/1. What are the odds and is it worth getting graded? Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Odds are found on the checklist here: https://www.beckett.com/news/2020-topps-series-1-baseball-cards/
I’m with you Corey, well said! So much to keep up with now. I don’t see how Topps has the time to print all these different cards. It’s amazing.