The 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary baseball set celebrates 75 years of Topps baseball cards with a modernized chrome-version of previous Topps releases from over the decades. The set contains 324 total cards and focuses on current MLB stars. While the base cards feature the standard design year after year, it’s the parallels, special inserts, and anniversary cards that create the most excitement for collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from this commemorative release.
Perhaps the most coveted card in the set is the 1/1 Platinum Anniversary parallel of two-time AL MVP and reigning AL Cy Young award winner Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. Printed on thick, high-quality platinum stock and serial numbered 1/1, this card captures Ohtani in his unique two-way playing role. As the sole copy in existence and featuring one of the game’s biggest stars, it carries an extremely high estimated value that would surely require a massive offer to entice the lucky collector who pulled it.
Another highly valuable short print is the 5-card Baseball Immortals autograph box topper set. Honoring legendary players Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams, each 1/1 autograph card is hand-signed by the Hall of Famer it features. Extremely rare and visually stunning under a microscope, each Immortals auto would be a true centerpiece in even the most prestigious of collections.
Continuing the theme of legends, the 5-card Platinum Anniversary Legends autograph insert set shines a light on past stars. Featuring 1/1 autographs of Bob Gibson, Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt, Tom Seaver, and Jim Palmer, these relics of baseball’s golden era resonate strongly with older collectors while introducing iconic players to a new generation. With the signatures guaranteed authentic directly from each HOF member, their rarity and historical significance place them among the premier chase cards in the product.
Shifting to current greats, the Platinum Anniversary Record Holders parallel captures MLB’s most accomplished still playing today. Highlighting Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer in sleek platinum, these 1/1 cards represent some of the game’s most hallowed individual records and achievements in a single parallel set. Obtaining any of these franchise icons at the rarest parallel level would be considered a true crowning achievement, even in the most elite of collections.
The set also includes an 8-card Platinum Anniversary Diamond Kings autograph subset spotlighting some of the premier superstars at each position – including cover athlete Fernando Tatis Jr, Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto and Gerrit Cole. With an ultra-short print run of just 8 autographed copies, their rarity and featuring of generation-defining talents makes each one an awe-inspiring addition to any collection.
The true centerpiece within the entire release might be the singular 1/1 Platinum Anniversary Logoman Diamond parallel of longtime Cardinal great Yadier Molina. A worthy representative of St. Louis’ rich baseball tradition, Molina’s name and famous “Yadi” logo appear stamped in platinum on the spectacular parallel. With its dramatic presentation and capturing one of the sport’s modern icons, it’s easy to see why collectors consider this the crown jewel of what is already a premier modern product.
With its showcase of legendary players from baseball’s expansive history paired with today’s top performers, 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary certainly delivers for collectors both nostalgic and modern in its parallel selection alone. That’s without mentioning the base cards, regular parallels found in nearly any hobby box, as well popular inserts like Manager Greats, Captains, All-Star Flashbacks and more that round out this loaded product. For collectors both seasoned and new, it’s sure to become regarded as one of the premier releases in recent years that will stand the test of time. Cards from its pages holding tremendous value for years to come.
