Card Identification Forum

I'm seeing 3 different Nolan Ryan reprint insert sets for 1999 Topps. I know of two and can't tell what the other is.

• 1999 Topps - Nolan Ryan Finest Reprints
• 1999 Topps - Nolan Ryan Reprints
• 1999 Topps - Ryan Finest Refractors

"Nolan Ryan Reprints" seems to be the regular cardboard set with the gold stamp on the front. But it really seems like "Nolan Ryan Finest Reprints" and "Ryan Finest Refractors" are referencing the same Refractor set.

Am I wrong? If not can anyone clear this up?

Think of Finest Reprints as the Chrome version, and the Refractors being refractors.

How do you tell the Chromes from the Refractors?

ETA: I see now that on the backs it says "REFRACTOR" in tiny print under the original card number, and names the card as a Topps Finest Refractor in tiny print on the bottom. But I don't see anything that helps differentiate on the fronts of the cards. Are Refractors more shiny, maybe?

Hold the front of the refractor cards in front of a light. Then tilt the card up and down and side to side. You should see a rainbow-like effect on the surface. That is what a refractor card is. They are much more noticable now than they were in the mid and late 90's.

Thanks. I don't actually have any; I was looking for something to tell definitively on eBay auctions. I did notice that these did have a more pronounced rainbow effect.

spazmatastic wrote: Hold the front of the refractor cards in front of a light. Then tilt the card up and down and side to side. You should see a rainbow-like effect on the surface. That is what a refractor card is. They are much more noticable now than they were in the mid and late 90's.