Mickey Mantle Reprint Question....pic

[Lexis]

Might sound odd ..... butttt ..... as the scan shows, I know they are Topps Finest, but are they the refactor? They are look like a Topps Chrome. I know the earlier years of Topps didn't mark them as refactor's (you just had to know which was which)

1997 60 all-star #29 and #31

[Collector]

I have two Willie Mays cards like that. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if they're refractors, either. I just assumed they were finest cards. The Mays cards I have don't state that they're refractors, so I don't guess they are.

Thanks, Collector

[Lexis]

From what I'm trying to remember when they came out with these. You had your plain card, which looked like a regular card. Then you had the shiny one (like Topps Chrome) then there was the one with the protecter plastic on it like what's pictured.
The first several years, fellow collector's had to know the difference, cause Topps didn't mark them.
I'm leaning on the finest then refactor. BV, there is a big jump in value...$8 for these...refactor is $30.
I couldn't get my hands on any back in 1996 or 97. If I did, I would have had them marked according. Now that I final have some....I can't remember what the difference it

[Collector]

There's gotta be at least a slight difference. I'd say they're a finest. I have two Mays cards like that. Just like the Mantles, they also have protective coating.

Thanks, Collector

[jonnyweb]

If my brain serves me correctly, i seem to remember the cards saying REFRACTOR on the plastic along with the regular writing. (for example it would say TOPPS FINEST REFRACTOR)

I may be wrong (it has happened before ;D) but that's what I was thinking.

[Lexis]

johnnyweb....you might be right on that one.

[Collector]

Darn, all mine are finest. (LOL!) Well, I'm not really surprised.

Thanks, Collector