Card Identification Forum

Looking through my Dad's 1972 Topps cards, I've found a few which have backs which are much brighter than normal, as shown in the picture. The color is similar to the OPC backs from that year, but they're definitely not OPC. And they're very rare: Out of my Dad's 2,000 1972 Topps cards, I found just 10 bright backs. 

So I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this, and if it's a legitimate variation.

No variation; just differenes in the amount of ink that was used in the printing process. (Or the amount of wear on a card's surface.)

I don't think it's the difference in wear, as I think they've been handled in a pretty uniform way .But I guess it's possible that's it's just a printing difference. Still kinda hoping it's a real variation, because they're pretty scarce. Thanks.

I would think that if this was like 56 Topps or 79 Topps football (2 quick examples) where there was a definite, intentional printing variation difference it would have been long known. To me it goes with the ink/handling discussed. I looked at my 72s, really quickly, and they seem fairly uniform though you can see where handling did play a role in the backs coloration. Much more so in the 68s (yellow et all....)

Jim, you might want to check those 1968's in more detail. The Milton Bradley game cards have a more distinct yellow color on their backs than the Topps regular release, which leans more towards goldenrod.

Your 72''s are simply a printing issue.

no "variations", just a printing issue

Wishful thinking. Like my 70s, just some TLC during their life.