Following on from base and SP cards in the previous posts in this series, today we move on to parallel cards.
In recent years, there has been a major move towards including parallel versions of the regular base cards. These parallel cards usually have the same photograph and design as the base version, but with a different colour scheme or pattern.
This would be an absolutely mammoth post if we were to list each of the different parallel cards which have been made. In 2020 Panini Prizm there were 18 parallel variations, and in 2020 Topps Chrome there were no less than 24 parallel versions of each base card.
Some of the less common parallel cards include a serial number (for example 79/199), but this isn't always the case, especially for the more common parallel versions.
Let's take 2020 Topps Archives as an example. They produced 5 different parallel versions of each of their base cards, with each parallel differing in rarity.
Purple /175 (Only 175 purple cards were made for each base card)
Silver /99
Red /75
Blue /25
Gold foil /1
Some collectors will be attempting to collect one of each of these parallels to "complete the rainbow" for an individual base card.
Obviously, the purple and silver parallels are relatively easy to come across compared to the gold foil version, which can lead to the rarest cards being highly sought after and therefore expensive.
Some of the parallel cards are absolutely stunning. I'm a big fan of the Topps Chrome Sepia refractors, which are an un-numbered parallel and look way better in person than they do in photographs.
There are also some stranger, more unique parallel versions out there.
Gypsy Queen offer parallels like cards having a missing nameplate or a Bazooka bubble gum advert on the back of the card.
In 2020, Donruss even had a "Baby Shark" parallel with little emoji sharks swimming around the border. This being a nod to Gerardo Parra, who used the song for his walk-up music in 2019 as he and the Nationals went on to win the World Series.
There will likely be something within a parallel set which appeals to you and I highly recommend checking out Cardboard Connection if you want to get a better idea of what parallel cards are out there.
Do you have a favourite parallel version that we haven't mentioned?
Let us know in the comments or on twitter.
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