2020-21 Topps Chrome Sapphire UEFA

ybomber · 04-25-2021, 07:04 PM

Anyone know the deal with this product? Picked up a box from a local show thinking it was 2019-20 and surprised when I opened a few packs. Looks completely legit too.

Did some research and saw it’s a product not even announced and only one person on the bay has any listed.

Will add some scans a little later.

cj828282 · 04-25-2021, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ybomber

Anyone know the deal with this product? Picked up a box from a local show thinking it was 2019-20 and surprised when I opened a few packs. Looks completely legit too.

Did some research and saw it’s a product not even announced and only one person on the bay has any listed.

Will add some scans a little later.

Please add some scans and a picture of the box. This has been a totally weird thing and wondering how boxes have been released without any one knowing about it. Would also like to know who was selling at the show and show details. Could be an interesting follow.

GrangerCollectr · 04-25-2021, 07:44 PM

Uhhhh.....definitely need some pics

thenightman · 04-25-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ybomber

Anyone know the deal with this product? Picked up a box from a local show thinking it was 2019-20 and surprised when I opened a few packs. Looks completely legit too.

Did some research and saw it’s a product not even announced and only one person on the bay has any listed.

Will add some scans a little later.

I’ve got the Peter tingle.

thenightman · 04-25-2021, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj828282

Please add some scans and a picture of the box. This has been a totally weird thing and wondering how boxes have been released without any one knowing about it. Would also like to know who was selling at the show and show details. Could be an interesting follow.

Don’t you know? It’s totally Topps MO to covertly release product.

YayNJ · 04-25-2021, 08:17 PM

Someone posted singles on here the other day, and they look like prototypes or fakes.

Any numbered cards in your boxes?

ybomber · 04-25-2021, 08:24 PM

https://postimg.cc/gallery/TG4Wtcr

cj828282 · 04-25-2021, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the photos. What show was this at and do you know the seller? Odd that no sealed boxes have shown up on the secondary market. Maybe Topps is just now getting these to Direct and we should be ready for the drop. Or else, someone has done a great job with fabricating an entire product line.

cj828282 · 04-25-2021, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ybomber

https://postimg.cc/gallery/TG4Wtcr

Thanks. Curious, how much did you pay for the box?

footfutbol · 04-25-2021, 08:50 PM

If this is real, my guess is that it will come out a week after Chrome. Just a guess based on the sweepstakes expiration date.

Elemin8 · 04-25-2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfutbol

If this is real, my guess is that it will come out a week after Chrome. Just a guess based on the sweepstakes expiration date.

I thought I heard Chrome was pushed back. If so how long does Topps hold back sapphire while these are in the wild?

rebbrooks · 04-25-2021, 10:11 PM

It says Topps.Com Exclusive on the box. Online only that dealer somehow got ahold of a box?

eastbayak · 04-25-2021, 10:18 PM

Not going to argue whether or not it's an official 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box (because I have no clue) but a few things caught my eye:

(1) 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box says made in Italy whereas 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box says made in Canada. Also, 2020 TC GPK sapphire boxes were made in Canada too. It's possible that Topps switched production facilities from Canada to Italy though.

(2) Sticker on 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box is significantly different from the 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box. It also looks a little suspect.

(3) Other boxes of 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire haven't surfaced (to my knowledge). What did you pay? Kind of strange for someone to move a box without an available comp (especially with such a demanded product) unless he/she asked for 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box prices (which would be another flag).

(4) NPN detail is different ("2020-21" in the 20-21 box but "2020" in the 19-20 box). Of course, Topps doesn't standardize things from year-to-year so it's hard to know if this is an important detail. For instance, some past sapphire boxes have "CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE" details whereas others don't.

(5) 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box is mostly formatted the same as the 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box (formats tend to be slightly different from year-to-year, at least when comparing TC baseball sapphire boxes from 2018 to 2020). Might not be an issue but another possible flag.

What did the shrink wrap look like? Can you share a picture of that?

2020 TC Sapphire UEFA

2020 TC Sapphire GPK

2018 TC Sapphire BB

2019 TC Sapphire BB

2020 TC Sapphire BB

reddragonthe · 04-25-2021, 10:26 PM

Made in Italy doesn't shock me. They are printing more and more there. Match Attax Chrome (granted it was a euro based release) was a good example and the numbering has similarities for the numbered cards. TC F1 also printed out of their Italian vendors.

djcuse · 04-25-2021, 10:30 PM

Check out the unique code on the sticker on the top of the box...

It checks out on: https://www.vmp.mobi/uc/

reddragonthe · 04-25-2021, 10:54 PM

I believe this is 100% legit. I thought it was before but the product authentication makes it more so.

Crazy part? They didn't increase production. that's not SUPER crazy because they made a lot of last year's (relative to other soccer and the typical relative run between main chrome and sapphire in baseball.

This is assuming they keep the base set at 100 cards.

What we're looking at:

16,000 boxes

More parallel chances (they say 2 per box and mean it this year... under promising and hopefully over delivering) as they added Aqua

4200 base per player
3200 base Image Variations per subject (5 different subjects again)
2100 Future Stars per subject (15 different subjects again)

Pack odds give 3 color per box including Image Variation and Future Stars (just under).

fadster · 04-26-2021, 04:42 AM

Very interesting, it looks like more non-US sports production is being moved to the Italy plant. I wonder if either regular Chrome release (UCL and Bundesliga) also moved? One knock on effect is typically the Italy made releases have been hitting Europe and Asia a few weeks before the US but Sapphire may be the exception if it is likely another Montgomery 582 club release.

IndySportsCards · 04-26-2021, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fadster

Very interesting, it looks like more non-US sports production is being moved to the Italy plant. I wonder if either regular Chrome release (UCL and Bundesliga) also moved? One knock on effect is typically the Italy made releases have been hitting Europe and Asia a few weeks before the US but Sapphire may be the exception if it is likely another Montgomery 582 club release.

Gotta love it when they limit soccer products to an exclusive baseball club.

Sent from my LG-SP320 using Tapatalk

J1L · 04-26-2021, 08:01 AM

Is this Montgomery or just speculation?

fadster · 04-26-2021, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J1L

Is this Montgomery or just speculation?

At this stage speculation it will be a Montgomery release but every other Sapphire release has been the last couple of years.

YayNJ · 04-26-2021, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndySportsCards

Gotta love it when they limit soccer products to an exclusive baseball club.

Sent from my LG-SP320 using Tapatalk

It's an absolute joke isn't it? Though some will try and convince you it's a "genius move" on Topps behalf.

Because who doesn't want loads of Baseball fans holding all the best Soccer stuff?

Can you imagine the uproar if Baseball had Bowman Draft or Sapphire release in the UK only to a soccer club? They would be burning topps HQ down in minutes.

psochaps · 04-26-2021, 08:40 AM

I’m sure they will do a soccer membership for next year.

WHyFLy · 04-26-2021, 08:53 AM

Looks to me legit as well, and it makes sense they move a European release to the Italian Plant after the production of F1 Chrome. Makes me wonder how the seller acquired this box, and the only conclusion is this: The Italian printing may of had some sort of miscommunication in regards to the release date and probably shipped everything over to Topps within the US thinking it was suppose to be released on schedule. An employee had to have seen these shipments and probably stole a few to be backdoored and now we are seeing the consequences of those actions. Remember, we saw several pop on ebay with Topps Stickers which makes me think these have already been made just going through approval process before packaging/shipments.

cj828282 · 04-26-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHyFLy

Looks to me legit as well, and it makes sense they move a European release to the Italian Plant after the production of F1 Chrome. Makes me wonder how the seller acquired this box, and the only conclusion is this: The Italian printing may of had some sort of miscommunication in regards to the release date and probably shipped everything over to Topps within the US thinking it was suppose to be released on schedule. An employee had to have seen these shipments and probably stole a few to be backdoored and now we are seeing the consequences of those actions. Remember, we saw several pop on ebay with Topps Stickers which makes me think these have already been made just going through approval process before packaging/shipments.

Yeah, kind of my thoughts as well. The F1 chrome was selling in Europe 2-3 weeks before the US release. So they produced boxes but probably are waiting for the Bowman proper release before releasing this. So the boxes are just in the warehouse waiting with opportunities for backdoor promotions.

DiamondDevil · 04-26-2021, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj828282

Thanks. Curious, how much did you pay for the box?

Very curious on this - and what was the seller asking?

04-25-2021, 07:04 PM	#1
ybomber Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 341 Ybomber	2020-21 Topps Chrome Sapphire UEFA Anyone know the deal with this product? Picked up a box from a local show thinking it was 2019-20 and surprised when I opened a few packs. Looks completely legit too. Did some research and saw it’s a product not even announced and only one person on the bay has any listed. Will add some scans a little later.

04-25-2021, 07:44 PM	#3
GrangerCollectr Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,374 millercrows millercrows31	Uhhhh.....definitely need some pics __________________ *"If you're not having fun, you're probably doing it wrong"* Instagram - indy_card_collector

04-26-2021, 04:42 AM	#17
fadster Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,275 fadster	Very interesting, it looks like more non-US sports production is being moved to the Italy plant. I wonder if either regular Chrome release (UCL and Bundesliga) also moved? One knock on effect is typically the Italy made releases have been hitting Europe and Asia a few weeks before the US but Sapphire may be the exception if it is likely another Montgomery 582 club release. __________________ IG: @goldenballrookies

04-26-2021, 08:53 AM	#23
WHyFLy Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,028 youeyscollectibles youeyscollectibles	Looks to me legit as well, and it makes sense they move a European release to the Italian Plant after the production of F1 Chrome. Makes me wonder how the seller acquired this box, and the only conclusion is this: The Italian printing may of had some sort of miscommunication in regards to the release date and probably shipped everything over to Topps within the US thinking it was suppose to be released on schedule. An employee had to have seen these shipments and probably stole a few to be backdoored and now we are seeing the consequences of those actions. Remember, we saw several pop on ebay with Topps Stickers which makes me think these have already been made just going through approval process before packaging/shipments. __________________ "Risk Something Or Forever Sit With Your Dreams" - Herb Brooks Always Buying! Selling! Trading! Instagram: YoueysCollectibles Last edited by WHyFLy; 04-26-2021 at 09:11 AM.

04-25-2021, 08:17 PM	#6
YayNJ Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: London / Oahu Posts: 8,267 hanelcocards	Someone posted singles on here the other day, and they look like prototypes or fakes. Any numbered cards in your boxes?

04-25-2021, 08:24 PM	#7
ybomber Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 341 Ybomber	https://postimg.cc/gallery/TG4Wtcr

04-25-2021, 08:46 PM	#8
cj828282 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 13,967	Thanks for the photos. What show was this at and do you know the seller? Odd that no sealed boxes have shown up on the secondary market. Maybe Topps is just now getting these to Direct and we should be ready for the drop. Or else, someone has done a great job with fabricating an entire product line.

04-25-2021, 08:50 PM	#10
footfutbol Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 309	If this is real, my guess is that it will come out a week after Chrome. Just a guess based on the sweepstakes expiration date.

04-25-2021, 10:11 PM	#12
rebbrooks Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 768	It says Topps.Com Exclusive on the box. Online only that dealer somehow got ahold of a box?

04-25-2021, 10:18 PM	#13
eastbayak Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 15,949 eastbayak	Not going to argue whether or not it's an official 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box (because I have no clue) but a few things caught my eye: (1) 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box says made in Italy whereas 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box says made in Canada. Also, 2020 TC GPK sapphire boxes were made in Canada too. It's possible that Topps switched production facilities from Canada to Italy though. (2) Sticker on 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box is significantly different from the 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box. It also looks a little suspect. (3) Other boxes of 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire haven't surfaced (to my knowledge). What did you pay? Kind of strange for someone to move a box without an available comp (especially with such a demanded product) unless he/she asked for 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box prices (which would be another flag). (4) NPN detail is different ("2020-21" in the 20-21 box but "2020" in the 19-20 box). Of course, Topps doesn't standardize things from year-to-year so it's hard to know if this is an important detail. For instance, some past sapphire boxes have "CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE" details whereas others don't. (5) 20-21 TC UEFA sapphire box is mostly formatted the same as the 19-20 TC UEFA sapphire box (formats tend to be slightly different from year-to-year, at least when comparing TC baseball sapphire boxes from 2018 to 2020). Might not be an issue but another possible flag. What did the shrink wrap look like? Can you share a picture of that? 2020 TC Sapphire UEFA 2020 TC Sapphire GPK 2018 TC Sapphire BB 2019 TC Sapphire BB 2020 TC Sapphire BB

04-25-2021, 10:26 PM	#14
reddragonthe Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 3,359 rddrgnthe	Made in Italy doesn't shock me. They are printing more and more there. Match Attax Chrome (granted it was a euro based release) was a good example and the numbering has similarities for the numbered cards. TC F1 also printed out of their Italian vendors.

04-25-2021, 10:30 PM	#15
djcuse Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Toronto Posts: 660 djcusethehobby	Check out the unique code on the sticker on the top of the box... It checks out on: https://www.vmp.mobi/uc/

04-25-2021, 10:54 PM	#16
reddragonthe Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 3,359 rddrgnthe	I believe this is 100% legit. I thought it was before but the product authentication makes it more so. Crazy part? They didn't increase production. that's not SUPER crazy because they made a lot of last year's (relative to other soccer and the typical relative run between main chrome and sapphire in baseball. This is assuming they keep the base set at 100 cards. What we're looking at: 16,000 boxes More parallel chances (they say 2 per box and mean it this year... under promising and hopefully over delivering) as they added Aqua 4200 base per player 3200 base Image Variations per subject (5 different subjects again) 2100 Future Stars per subject (15 different subjects again) Pack odds give 3 color per box including Image Variation and Future Stars (just under).

04-26-2021, 08:01 AM	#19
J1L Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Michigan Posts: 957	Is this Montgomery or just speculation?

04-26-2021, 08:40 AM	#22
psochaps Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,360 psochaps psochaps	I’m sure they will do a soccer membership for next year.