Most Popular Hobby Releases of the Year
A brand that’s been delighting collectors since 1951 (yep, it’s that old), Topps is still kicking it like the cool grandparent who knows how to party. In 2023, the brand enjoyed another glorious year, playing its usual role as one of the major players in the sport of trading cards and producing several sets that climbed the charts. So, we’ve put on our collector’s hat and compiled a list of the five most popular Topps Hobby Box releases of 2023. Trust us, this lineup is hotter than a jalapeño in a salsa contest.
Top Five
5: 2023 Topps Cosmic Chrome
Topps Cosmic Chrome® returned for its second season in 2023 and saw no hints of a sophomore slump. The 200-card base set took chrome technology to new intergalactic heights, providing an otherworldly adventure featuring baseball’s biggest stars and inserts like Launched Into Orbit, Extraterrestrial Talent, and Star Clusters. The set also includes Supernova and Stellanova short print inserts, showcasing baseball’s brightest. It’s no wonder Topps Cosmic Chrome® soared to become the fifth most popular Topps hobby box release of 2023. Collectors were starstruck with its cosmic allure!
4: 2023 Topps Series 1
Batting clean up on our list of top Topps hobby box releases in 2023 is Topps Series 1. This flagship set boasts a star-studded roster, including today’s baseball legends, past greats, and emerging rookies across base cards, inserts, autos, and relic cards. But the real star here is the Golden Mirror Image Variation Short Prints, where all 330 base cards get a golden makeover with new images and gold card backs.
3: 2023 Topps Chrome
At No. 3 on our list of top Topps hobby box releases for 2023 is the legendary Topps Chrome Baseball. In the world of baseball cards, Topps Chrome holds one of the biggest seats at the table. It’s synonymous with the best: the best players, the highest card quality, and a collector’s experience that generates excitement like the Heatles when LeBron, D. Wade and Chris Bosh were flying around South Beach. Debuting in 1996, this set has consistently delivered a top-tier collecting experience. Unlike the flagship Topps Baseball product, which features every player on every team, Chrome hones in on a select group of the absolute best players. It’s the epitome of quality over quantity, and for collectors, that’s where the real magic lies.
2: 2023 Bowman Baseball
Securing the second spot on our list of top Topps hobby box releases for 2023, Bowman Baseball boasts a storied history dating back to 1948 when the first Bowman Baseball set was released in the post-World War II era. Though it discontinued in 1955 and returned in 1989, this beloved series has consistently been a favorite among contemporary collectors, particularly those keying on top prospects, offering the enticing opportunity to obtain the 1st Bowman of baseball’s next superstar. In 2023, it continued to honor this tradition, featuring 1st Bowmans from the likes of Druw Jones, Jacob Berry and Justin Crawford, and collectors returned the love, grabbing boxes in droves.
1: 2023 Bowman Chrome Baseball
Landing the leadoff spot on our list of top Topps hobby box releases for 2023 is none other than Bowman Chrome Baseball. Serving as the second primary release of the year for the esteemed prospect brand, Bowman Chrome is all about claiming the top position, much like the beloved Ludacris song, “No. 1 Spot.” This MLB card line seamlessly extends the excitement of 2023 Bowman Baseball, but with an enticing all-chromium twist. And for the collectors in the know, it’s worth mentioning that Bowman Chrome first dazzled the scene back in 1997 and has been shining like a fresh set of gold teeth ever since.
