The 1970 Topps baseball card set is well known for introducing the first “scratch off” cards to the hobby. With foil backs that could be revealed underneath by scratching off a coating, these novelty cards captured the imagination of collectors at the time and remain a highly sought after design element by vintage baseball card fans to this day.

Some key facts and background about the 1970 Topps Scratch Off cards:

The set marked Topps’ second year including photos on the backs of cards after first doing so in 1969. However, 1970 took this a step further by concealing the player photos initially under a foil coating.

When scratched off with a coin or fingernail, this revealed either an action shot of the player or a career stats recap. Over 700 different rear images were used across the 598 card regular set.

The idea was conceived by Topps creative director Sy Berger as a fun gimmick to generate additional collector interest and pack sales. It turned out to be a very popular innovation.

A small imprint below the foil on each card indicated what could be found behind via one of five descriptors: “photo,” “stats,” “corrected stats,” “corrected photo” or blank for inserts/manager cards.

The foil backing was silver colored paper with a scratchable top coat. It remained somewhat delicate and could damage/rip on occasion during the planned uncovering process.

PSA has verified at least a few examples over the years where error cards had the wrong imprint mismatched to the actual concealed image behind the foil. Extremely rare anomalies.

While innovative, some collectors at the time disliked that scratching off revealed images not visible right in the stored/displayed card as usual. It changed the traditional look and feel.

In the years since, uncovered 1970s with foil properly removed but card and image still intact have become highly collectible, especially for the biggest star players.

The technology put Topps at the leading edge of baseball card innovations in the early 1970s. They followed up with related scratch surface ideas in 1971 and 1972 as well before phasing it out.

Kenner also utilized a one-year scratch off gimmick in 1977. But the 1970 Topps set really kicked off the entire notion and collector interest remains strong even 50 years later due to the unique nostalgic concept.

Condition of both card stock and remaining intact foil/image greatly impacts modern values, but uncirculated PSA/BGS Gems in prestigious rookie seasons can reach several thousand dollars or more for the right player.

Some examples with authentication paperwork showing the foil intact but image still unseen beneath also bring premium dollars, tantalizing future scratchers. A true time capsule aspect there.

Part of what adds to the continuing mystique is that the concealed photos remain a surprise for any examples not previously uncovered after all these decades. A small sense of suspense endures.

While scrapbooking or protective long term storage present an obstacle, the novel 1970 Topps scratch offs deserve credit for first taking collector interest in baseball card photography and statistics to the next engaging level with their peel back reveal gimmick. Even after half a century, the set still captivates fans with its vintage cardboard nostalgia and hidden charm waiting to sparkle forth from under the silver sheen. Whether left pristine or experienced through the unveiling ritual, the 1970s hold a special place in the broader story and development of the treasured hobby and business of baseball cards.

The 1981 Topps Baseball card set is most notable for introducing scratch-off technology to baseball cards for the first time. Topps decided to try something new for the 1981 season by including game-related “scratch-off” elements on numerous cards throughout the set. By scratching off the designated areas on select cards, fans could reveal statistics, facts, or box scores related to the player or team pictured on the front of the card. This was a major innovation at the time and helped make the 1981 Topps set one of the most unique and intriguing releases in the company’s history.

Across the 712 cards in the 1981 Topps base set, there were approximately 100 cards that contained scratch-off elements. These cards featured a small rectangular box located low and towards the center of the card that instructed fans to “Scratch Here to Reveal…” whatever statistic or information lay beneath. Topps incorporated the scratch-off elements most commonly on stars, veterans, and key players from the 1980 season. Topps also included scratch-off stats for entire teams to allow fans to relive notable games or seasons from the year before.

When fans scratched away the coating on these designated areas, they were presented with a variety of statistics and facts. Some cards revealed single-game box scores, allowing fans to look back at memorable individual performances from 1980. Other cards showed cumulative season stats for star players, like home runs, batting average, or ERA. Several team cards scratched away to display full season records and league standings. A few fun cards even contained scratch-offs with trivia questions about the player or odd stats like stolen base percentages.

In order to successfully scratch off the coating and reveal the hidden info, fans needed to use their fingernails or a coin to gently scrape away the thin foil square. The scratch-off areas were made of a special foil that could be scratched but not peeled, to prevent cheating. When scratched correctly, the dull gray coating flaked away to proudly display the multi-colored statistics or questions below. For kids at the time, the scratch-off cards offered an exciting new element of interactivity beyond just looking at static baseball photography.

While innovative, the scratch-off technology did have some flaws. The foil coating was prone to scratches even without intentional scraping. Environmental factors like heat and humidity also made the coating more fragile. Over time, repeated scratching could reveal the contents without any effort. The statistics were also a bit small and hard to read clearly once revealed. But for the most part, Topps found success with the new idea and would continue implementing scratch-off cards over subsequent years.

The 1981 Topps set marked the true beginning of the “trader” era of baseball cards as it was one of the first releases that kids eagerly collected and swapped in the schoolyards. Topps helped fuel this frenzy by seeding the set with short printed and error cards to trigger scarcity. The combination of colorful player photography, fun oddball stats, and the novelty of the scratch-off technology all combined to make the 1981 issue a mega-hit. Although a step behind the glossier Donruss and Fleer brands in terms of photo quality, Topps regained dominance by embracing gimmicks over sheer aesthetics.

For collectors and fans today, finding well-preserved 1981 Topps scratch-off cards in mint condition has become extremely difficult. Occasional wear from handling, along with inevitable deterioration of the foil over forty years, leaves many scratched-off areas faded or unreadable. Near-pristine examples with fully intact scratch-off boxes in bright foil still intact have become highly valuable, fetching hundreds of dollars in today’s market. The groundbreaking inclusion of scratch-off features cemented the 1981 Topps set as a true revolution in the hobby and one of the most beloved releases among vintage collectors. The introduction of this innovative technology helped propel Topps baseball cards into the stratosphere of pop culture phenomena during the 1980s boom.