1987 Tiffany
Topps Tiffany & Topps Traded Tiffany Factory Sets
1987 Topps Tiffany & Traded Tiffany Set
Print Run: 30,000
The 1987 Topps Tiffany and 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany sets were distributed exclusively to hobby dealers in factory cases containing six complete sets per case. The standard 792-card Tiffany set and the Topps Traded Tiffany set were packaged and shipped separately in their own respective cases.
The 792-card Tiffany set was packaged in a distinctive solid purple box featuring an ornate gold border design and sealed with the classic gold foil label bearing the words "CONTAINS ONE COMPLETE SET" printed in purple ink. The bottom of the box is white, and every factory set was individually stamped with a unique serial number in black ink.
Production estimates indicate that fewer than 30,000 factory sets were produced, making the 1987 Topps Tiffany issue one of the more desirable premium factory sets from the 1980s.
The 1987 Topps Tiffany and 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany sets were distributed exclusively to hobby dealers in factory cases containing six complete sets per case. The standard 792-card Tiffany set and the Topps Traded Tiffany set were packaged and shipped separately in their own respective cases.
The 792-card Tiffany set was packaged in a distinctive solid purple box featuring an ornate gold border design and sealed with the classic gold foil label bearing the words "CONTAINS ONE COMPLETE SET" printed in purple ink. The bottom of the box is white, and every factory set was individually stamped with a unique serial number in black ink.
Production estimates indicate that fewer than 30,000 factory sets were produced, making the 1987 Topps Tiffany issue one of the more desirable premium factory sets from the 1980s.
1987 Topps Tiffany -vs- Base Cards
The 1987 Topps Tiffany cards can be distinguished from their regular Topps counterparts by their white cardstock and high-gloss finish. In addition, genuine Tiffany cards do not have the words "PRTN IN U.S.A." printed on the back.
Many sellers on eBay and other online marketplaces incorrectly identify standard Topps cards as Tiffany cards. The easiest way to distinguish a genuine 1987 Topps Tiffany card from a regular base card is by examining the back. Authentic Tiffany cards feature a bright white background, while standard Topps cards have a noticeably gray-toned back.
Collectors should also be aware that some sellers digitally enhance photos or brighten images to make regular cards appear to have the white background of a Tiffany card. As a result, online images alone should not be relied upon for authentication.
Unfortunately, advances in modern printing technology have also led to the production of convincing counterfeit Tiffany reprints. In some cases, it can be nearly impossible to distinguish a fake from a genuine card based solely on photographs of the back.
For this reason, once the card is in hand, it is recommended to compare its cardstock thickness, weight, and high-gloss finish to a known authentic 1987 Topps Tiffany card. A side-by-side comparison remains one of the most reliable methods for verifying authenticity.
Many sellers on eBay and other online marketplaces incorrectly identify standard Topps cards as Tiffany cards. The easiest way to distinguish a genuine 1987 Topps Tiffany card from a regular base card is by examining the back. Authentic Tiffany cards feature a bright white background, while standard Topps cards have a noticeably gray-toned back.
Collectors should also be aware that some sellers digitally enhance photos or brighten images to make regular cards appear to have the white background of a Tiffany card. As a result, online images alone should not be relied upon for authentication.
Unfortunately, advances in modern printing technology have also led to the production of convincing counterfeit Tiffany reprints. In some cases, it can be nearly impossible to distinguish a fake from a genuine card based solely on photographs of the back.
For this reason, once the card is in hand, it is recommended to compare its cardstock thickness, weight, and high-gloss finish to a known authentic 1987 Topps Tiffany card. A side-by-side comparison remains one of the most reliable methods for verifying authenticity.
1987 Tiffany Traded -vs- Base Traded Cards
Distinguishing 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany cards from regular 1987 Topps Traded cards can be challenging, as both feature white card backs. However, authentic Tiffany cards typically have a brighter, cleaner white background, while regular Traded cards often appear slightly duller or off-white.
Another potential identifier is the presence of the ""** symbols in the lower-left corner of the card back. Genuine Topps Traded Tiffany cards generally do not have these symbols. However, collectors should use caution, as some regular 1987 Topps Traded cards were also printed without the ""**, making this characteristic unreliable as a standalone authentication method.
Because the visual differences are subtle and difficult to evaluate from online photographs, images alone should never be relied upon to authenticate a Topps Traded Tiffany card. Once the card is in hand, compare its cardstock thickness and high-gloss finish to a known authentic 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany card from the same year.
If a Tiffany example is not available for comparison, place the card next to a regular 1987 Topps Traded card. The Tiffany version should exhibit a noticeably glossier front surface, while the standard Traded card has a much flatter, non-gloss finish. This side-by-side comparison is one of the most reliable methods for distinguishing authentic Topps Traded Tiffany cards from their regular counterparts.
Another potential identifier is the presence of the ""** symbols in the lower-left corner of the card back. Genuine Topps Traded Tiffany cards generally do not have these symbols. However, collectors should use caution, as some regular 1987 Topps Traded cards were also printed without the ""**, making this characteristic unreliable as a standalone authentication method.
Because the visual differences are subtle and difficult to evaluate from online photographs, images alone should never be relied upon to authenticate a Topps Traded Tiffany card. Once the card is in hand, compare its cardstock thickness and high-gloss finish to a known authentic 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany card from the same year.
If a Tiffany example is not available for comparison, place the card next to a regular 1987 Topps Traded card. The Tiffany version should exhibit a noticeably glossier front surface, while the standard Traded card has a much flatter, non-gloss finish. This side-by-side comparison is one of the most reliable methods for distinguishing authentic Topps Traded Tiffany cards from their regular counterparts.
1987 Topps Tiffany Key Rookie Cards
Key Cards
#320 Barry Bonds RC – Rookie card of an 8-time National League MVP, 14-time All-Star, and MLB’s all-time home run leader with 762 home runs.
#366 Mark McGwire RC – Rookie card of the powerful slugger who hit 583 career home runs and won the 1987 AL Rookie of the Year Award.
#648 Barry Larkin RC – Rookie card of the 1995 National League MVP, 12-time All-Star, 9-time Silver Slugger, and Hall of Fame shortstop.
#70T Greg Maddux RC – Rookie card of the Hall of Fame pitcher who won 355 games, earned 4 consecutive Cy Young Awards, and captured 18 Gold Gloves.
All-Star Rookie Cup Cards
#620 Jose Canseco – Features the iconic Topps All-Star Rookie Cup. Canseco became the first player in MLB history to record a 40 home run / 40 stolen base season and was the 1988 AL MVP.
Future Stars Cards
#170 Bo Jackson RC – One of the hobby’s most iconic rookie cards, featuring the legendary two-sport athlete who starred in both Major League Baseball and the NFL.
#634 Rafael Palmeiro RC – Rookie card of the slugger who finished his career with 3,020 hits, 569 home runs, and 1,835 RBIs.
Final Player Cards
#425 Tom Seaver – Final Topps card of the Hall of Fame pitcher, 3-time Cy Young Award winner, 1969 World Series champion, and one of baseball’s greatest right-handed pitchers.
#200 Pete Rose – Final regular Topps card of Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader with 4,256 career hits.
#300 & #52T Reggie Jackson – Final regular and Traded cards of “Mr. October,” a Hall of Famer who hit 563 career home runs and won 5 World Series championships.
#718 & #19T Steve Carlton – Final regular and Traded cards of the Hall of Fame left-hander who won 329 games, 4 Cy Young Awards, and recorded 4,136 strikeouts.
#694 Phil Niekro – Final Topps card of the Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher who won 318 games and pitched professionally into his late 40s.
#320 Barry Bonds RC – Rookie card of an 8-time National League MVP, 14-time All-Star, and MLB’s all-time home run leader with 762 home runs.
#366 Mark McGwire RC – Rookie card of the powerful slugger who hit 583 career home runs and won the 1987 AL Rookie of the Year Award.
#648 Barry Larkin RC – Rookie card of the 1995 National League MVP, 12-time All-Star, 9-time Silver Slugger, and Hall of Fame shortstop.
#70T Greg Maddux RC – Rookie card of the Hall of Fame pitcher who won 355 games, earned 4 consecutive Cy Young Awards, and captured 18 Gold Gloves.
All-Star Rookie Cup Cards
#620 Jose Canseco – Features the iconic Topps All-Star Rookie Cup. Canseco became the first player in MLB history to record a 40 home run / 40 stolen base season and was the 1988 AL MVP.
Future Stars Cards
#170 Bo Jackson RC – One of the hobby’s most iconic rookie cards, featuring the legendary two-sport athlete who starred in both Major League Baseball and the NFL.
#634 Rafael Palmeiro RC – Rookie card of the slugger who finished his career with 3,020 hits, 569 home runs, and 1,835 RBIs.
Final Player Cards
#425 Tom Seaver – Final Topps card of the Hall of Fame pitcher, 3-time Cy Young Award winner, 1969 World Series champion, and one of baseball’s greatest right-handed pitchers.
#200 Pete Rose – Final regular Topps card of Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader with 4,256 career hits.
#300 & #52T Reggie Jackson – Final regular and Traded cards of “Mr. October,” a Hall of Famer who hit 563 career home runs and won 5 World Series championships.
#718 & #19T Steve Carlton – Final regular and Traded cards of the Hall of Fame left-hander who won 329 games, 4 Cy Young Awards, and recorded 4,136 strikeouts.
#694 Phil Niekro – Final Topps card of the Hall of Fame knuckleball pitcher who won 318 games and pitched professionally into his late 40s.
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