For AP cards, the foil layer was the last process before the "card" was cut, folded and packaged. I can completely understand how missing the foil could slip though the final processes with Action Packed cards. I have several AP cards where you can clearly see on the back that the folding process was slightly off. That left a gap b/t foil and the bottom fold of the card (the area where the card # and copyright is located). But I can't recall ever seeing an AP card that was missing the foil.
That happened quite often in the early years of Topps Gold cards though. Their foil was only on the front and there was the underlying printed logo on the back that still LYK it was a Topps Golf card.
I think your Rypien is a nice little oddity and that you should hang on to it!
NO PWE's EVER!!! PLZ PM me 1st before sending any offer. ONLY selling cards as of March 2024. No trades or purchases right now.
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Largest total PC card collections by Team, then Athlete (as of 3/22/24):
STL Cardinals (MLB) - 8810; Carolina Panthers - 2888; GB Packers - 1790+ cards
Mark Martin (NASCAR) - 2038 cards; Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR) - 1875 cards; Jeff Gordon (NASCAR) - 1594; Ricky Rudd (NASCAR) - 839; Ozzie Smith (MLB) - 707