The 1986 Topps Super Glossy baseball cards were among the slickest and most visually appealing designs in the long history of Topps baseball cards. In 1986, Topps sought to take baseball cards to the next level in terms of presentation and collectibility by utilizing a revolutionary new chromium-oxide coating on the front of each card. This distinctive “Super Glossy” finish gave the 1986 Topps set a shimmer and pop that had never been seen before in the hobby. While not universally loved due to issues with wear and tear over time, the 1986 Topps Super Glossy cards were an ambitious effort by the card company to stand out and excite collectors during the boom of the 1980s.
The roots of the 1986 Super Glossy set dated back to late 1985, when Topps executives were brainstorming new ideas for the upcoming season. Inspired by technological advances in sheet metal coatings for the automotive industry, Topps R&D department began experimenting with a thin chromium-oxide film that could be applied to cardstock. When bonded properly, this new coating produced an almost mirror-like shine unlike anything collectors had ever seen on baseball cards. Topps wisely filed patents on the process before debuting it to the hobby world.
After months of refinement, Topps was ready to unveil its “Super Glossy” finished cards at the start of 1986. The front of each card sported an ultra-shiny coating that made players’ faces, uniforms, and photography shine brilliantly under light. From Roger Clemens to Wade Boggs to Ozzie Smith, the stars of Major League Baseball popped off the cards in a way they never had before. While the card backs retained a standard matte finish for stats and bios, collectors were dazzled by the flashy fronts.
Distribution of the 1986 Topps set began in March with the standard green, yellow, and pink cardboard rack packs containing 11 cards each. The Super Glossy cards were also sold in special sealed Mylar packs containing 3 cards apiece to preserve the glossy coating. These “triple packs” gave collectors a premium, protective way to enjoy the new finish and helped drive early hype around the innovative design. Glossy ‘86s also appeared in factory sets, cellos, and wax boxes throughout the season.
While the Super Glossy cards were an instant success amongst collectors, they did receive some criticism as well. Chief among the complaints was the fragility of the chromium-oxide coating long-term. Shuffling, bending, and minor abrasions could eventually cause wears and “marks” to form on the glossy fronts over time. Some purists also felt the added shine detracted from the simplicity they loved about classic baseball cards. These concerns did little to dampen enthusiasm for the 1986 Design as it broke new ground in the industry.
Thanks to the popularity of the Super Glossy finish and exciting 1986 rookie class headlined by players like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Mark McGwire, the entire Topps flagship set skyrocketed in demand. Not only were the regular base cards highly coveted, but parallel “chromes” featuring foil and premium variants became extraordinary hits for collectors to chase. 1986 Topps is regarded by many experts as the “Golden Age” of baseball cards predating the junk wax era of the 1990s. Today, pristine vintage examples in mint condition can sell for thousands.
As the years progressed after its debut, most collectors came to view the Super Glossy coating as more of a novelty than a long-term protective finish. It undeniably played a major role in defining the entire 1986 Topps set as iconic and captivating products that still enthrall both casual and seasoned hobbyists today. While stickers and refractors became the shiny parallels-of-choice in more modern sets, the innovative chromium-oxide coating introduced collectors to a new level of visual excitement over 35 years ago. Whether pristinely preserved or showing minor wear, 1986 Topps Super Glossy cards remain highly coveted pieces of sports memorabilia history.
In the end, while not flawless, Topps’ bold 1986 experiment with the “Super Glossy” finish was an unmitigated success both commercially and from a nostalgia perspective. The flashy new coating created instant “wow factor” amongst collectors at retail and conventions as the cards dazzled in person. Even with very light signs of imperfection, 1986 Topps glossies hold a cherished place in the memories of Gen X sports fans who grew up with them. Looking back, it is clear that Topps’ innovative efforts helped usher baseball cards to new heights of appeal, beauty, and hobby enthusiasm during the industry’s golden age.
