For better or worse, no set has shocked collectors more this year than 2023-2024 Topps Mercury: Victor Wembanyama.
One of the most high-end sets Topps has ever created, hobbyists were pleased to see it will be packed with game-worn memorabilia and on-card autographs.
A retail price of $8,000 for just eight cards stunned collectors in a different way, however, and Topps Mercury makes its debut with collectors wondering if the hits can ever possibly justify the price.
Here’s a look at the top chases from the set:
Victor Wembanyama Autographed Relic Jordan Logo 1/1 Gold Foilfractor
Two cards immediately stood out from the rest when Topps gave its first previews of the release. The first of those cards is the Autographed Relic featuring the Jordan Brand logo.
Part of the Autographed Relic set, the card featuring the Jordan logo is a 1/1 Gold Foilfractor — these replace the 1/1 Superfractors that appear in every other subset — and comes from a game-used jersey.
Though the card features an incredible patch, it’s worth noting it likely came from one of San Antonio’s Statement Edition uniforms, which feature the Jordan logo. Wembanyama’s NBA debut jersey, which is included in the set, comes from a white Nike uniform.
Victor Wembanyama & LeBron James Dual Autograph 1/1 Superfractor
While 2023-24 Topps Mercury focuses almost exclusively on Wembanyama, the Dual Autograph set pairs the San Antonio Spurs star with other all-time greats, including LeBron James. Of those Dual Autographs, none will be more coveted than the Wembanyama-James 1/1 Superfractor.
Along with the Jordan logo patch, no cards stood out more than Wembanyama’s Dual Autograph with James.
Wembanyama also has Dual Autograph cards with Shaquille O’Neal, C.J. Stroud, David Robinson, Tony Parker and Jason Kidd.
Along with the 1/1 Superfractors, there are Red Refractors numbered to five and Black Refractors numbered to 10 — except for the Wembanyama-James combo, which doesn’t feature a Black Refractor.
Victor Wembanyama Autograph 1/1 Superfractor
Outside of the Autograph Relics and select Dual Autographs, the main chase for many collectors will be the solo Wembanyama Autographs. Of those, the 1/1 Superfractor will be the top card, though any of the numbered parallels will be coveted.
As expected, numbered parallels include Refractors /99, Blue Refractors /75, Gold Refractors /50, White Refractors /35, Orange Refractors /25, Black Refractors /10, Red Refractors /5 and the 1/1 Superfractor.
Expect collectors to put a premium on chasing color matches with the White /35 and Black /25 when possible.
Victor Wembanyama Autograph (Inscribed)
While numbered refractors usually have a clear hierarchy based on availability, personal preference will play a big part for what is expected to be a number of inscribed autographs.
Among those are the “#1 Pick” inscription included on at least one solo Wembanyama Autograph, while inserts such as “Cote to Coast” and “1971-72 Topps” can feature inscriptions such as “Rookie of the Year.”
Other inscriptions, if included, will be sure to carry a significant premium over cards with the simple autograph.
Victor Wembanyama Autograph Relic Logoman 1/1
Announced for the first time Tuesday, two Logoman RPA 1/1s will be included in Topps Mercury. Considered one of the most coveted cards in the trading card space, Logoman cards feature a patch of the NBA’s official logo that appears on all jerseys.
Similar to other game-worn relics from the release, the Logoman patches will include the date and game they were worn by Wembanyama.
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct.