Hobby Musings: Ripping into National redemption packs

Hobby Musings: Ripping into National redemption packs – Last week, I wrote about the highlights and items on displays at the National.  One of the things I wrote about at length was the box and pack redemption packs offered by the card manufacturers.   Proving to once again be a popular attraction at the National, collectors flocked and waited in long lines to get these exclusives.  I was able to acquire some packs from each of the manufacturers and wanted to share the results with you.

Arguably the most popular redemption packs at the show, Topps once again picked a Bowman theme for its National cards.  Each pack contained four cards, and the amount of packs you received varied based on the product you bought.  Randomly inserted into the packs were numbered parallels and autographs.  Some collectors were treated to rare treats like 1/1 autographs or Derek Jeter.  While I wasn’t fortunate enough to pull something like that in my packs, I did come away with base cards of Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger.  Besides those two gems, I also came away with a gold parallel card of Hall of Famer, Fergie Jenkins.

Topps’ Susan Lulgjuraj Talks About Topps Wrapper Redemption Program

Panini also put together a strong showing with their silver redemption packs this year. Like Topps, the amount of packs you received depended on the eligible product you bought.  Busting open the ones I received, I noticed that Panini significantly increased the amount of numbered parallel cards.  Numbered cards  appeared to be seeded roughly one in every other pack,  I did pull a nice one in Bears rookie QB Mitch Trubisky.  Numbered to 49, the card had a nice shine to it.  I also came away with a nice relic hit of Judge.  Numbered to 25, the card featured a jersey swatch and portrayed him in a Fresno State uniform.  It’s unfortunately not a Yankees hit, but not a bad one either.

Upper Deck’s redemption packs came in a black wrapper and were available by purchasing packs and boxes of select hockey product.  The base set comprised of 20 cards and featured a mix of last year’s hockey rookie class and legendary sports icons.  Randomly inserted into the packs were a variety of young hockey players and sports legends.  The packs I busted included cards of 2016 rookies Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine.  Even cooler, I also pulled an autograph of MMA fighter Max Holloway numbered to 75.

Leaf put together some pretty impressive redemption programs at the National.  Based on the product you purchased, the company had some interesting blind-wrapped redemptions for their Pop Century product.  Buying a box of Pop Century got you a mystery pack for a 1/1 blank back proof card.  Getting a case got you a random 1/1 Pop Century autographed card.  The presentation on the packs was far and away better than the other companies with a mini-sealed envelope.  Opening the proof pack yielded a card of actress Sherilynn Fenn.  The autographed pack was quite a bit better as it contained a 1/1 of former SNL star Chevy Chase.

All in all, the packs yielded some good results.  They’re always a fun treat to bust every year and worth getting if you have the opportunity.  If nothing else, it’s a good little bonus to busting wax.  If you missed the National but still want the chance to get your hands on some of the sealed packs, you may want to check eBay or one of the larger retailers like Dave and Adam’s Card World and Blowout Cards.  All of these outlets typically have them for sale after the show.  If you do pull a redemption from your Panini silver packs, I would recommend reaching out to Panini Customer Service.  In the past, Panini has been willing to honor the redemptions as long as you reach out soon enough.

Hobby Musings: Ripping into National redemption packs – Image Gallery