WHAT ARE HIGH NUMBER BASEBALL CARDS

Traditional baseball card sets from the early 1950s through the 1980s typically included cards numbered 1 through the number of players on a team’s opening day roster. Teams would make additions and roster moves throughout the season which were not reflected in the original issued card sets. Many minor league players not included in the main rosters would occasionally get called up to the major leagues as well.

To account for these player additions and roster changes, card companies would later in the season issue supplemental sets containing additional player cards dubbed “high numbers.” These high number cards would start where the original base set left off, so for example if the original set contained cards 1-25 for a team’s roster, the high number cards may start at number 26 or higher. They allowed collectors to get cards for players who made their debut or were acquired later in the season after the original base sets were produced and distributed.

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The specific criteria for which players received high number cards versusremainig uncarded could vary between card manufacturers and years. Generally though, any player that was actively on a team’s roster for a significant portion of the season and appeared in games warranted a card. Minor league call-ups, late season trades, and even September roster expansions that saw fringe players get brief major league playing time could result in high number cards being produced.

Not all card manufacturers issued high number cards every season. Some years only certain companies like Topps, Fleer, or Donruss would put them out. But for the most popular modern player collections years, having complete runs that include both the original base cards and any relevant high number supplemental issues is ideal. Some seasons like 1972 Topps are particularly sought after and valuable fully assembled runs due to the high number cards further fleshing out that year’s rosters.

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Factors like print runs, condition, and the perceived star power of any featured players can affect individual high number card values today just like base cards. But in general, vintage high numbers tend to be more scarce than their lower numbered counterparts since supplemental sets had smaller production runs. They are an important part of fully documenting each season and team, as well as capturing the sustained careers of players who made their mark later in the year after standard sets were already distributed. Collectors still enjoy seeking out any missing high number pieces to complete their annual sets decades later.

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High number baseball cards refer to supplemental issues released later in seasons that extended the standard card checklists beyond original base rosters. They account for major league promotions, call-ups, and roster moves not reflected in early season releases. While variable in details between years and manufacturers, high numbers round out the snapshot of each MLB campaign for dedicated collectors. Their scarcer existence makes finding pioneering veterans’ later career highlights particularly rewarding for set builders.

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