This week’s lineup of sports card releases is led by one of Panini’s most popular basketball sets and one of Topps’ premier chrome baseball products.
Here’s a rundown of the key things you need to know before you buy.
2023-24 Mosaic Basketball
Release date: Wednesday
Overview: Anchored by an impressive lineup of parallels, Mosaic is back for another year with a number of retail configurations fit for new and younger collectors.
It’s hard to call a $500 Hobby Box an entry-level product, but basketball releases are expensive, and Mosaic remains relatively affordable compared to the rest of Panini’s lineup when comparing the price per card.
Inserts: Though parallels are the major chase for Mosaic, it does deliver a number of extremely popular inserts. The Stained Glass SSP remains a cornerstone for Mosaic while Micro Mosaic has become popular as well.
Storm Chasers, Overdrive and Razzle Dazzle are Hobby-exclusives, while Bank Shot, In-Season Tournament and Heat Check are all-new for 2023-24.
Parallels and variations: Not unlike Prizm and Optic, Mosaic is packed with parallels to chase with a number of geometric designs. As always, the set is anchored by popular color parallels like Blue /199, Pink /149, Purple /99, White /25, Gold /10 and the Black 1/1.
New for 2023-24 is the Mosaic Teal /75 and Gold Glitter /5.
Autos and relics: A number of sticker autographs leave something to be desired, but Mosaic does pack a punch with Rookie Autographs for the top first-year players and the all-new Showtime Signatures.
It should be noted that while collectors can chase Victor Wembanyama rookies and parallels, his exclusive deal with Fanatics means you won’t find any ink from the Spurs star here.
- Hobby configuration: 15 cards per pack, 10 packs per box, 12 boxes per case
- Box break: One autograph, 20 Prizms, 20 inserts
- Secondary market value: $499.95 (subject to change)
2024 Topps Finest Baseball
Release date: Wednesday
Overview: One of Topps’ flagship chrome sets, Topps Finest arrives for 2024 with a 300-card base checklist and two autographs per box.
Collectors can hunt for Elly De La Cruz and Jackson Holliday rookie cards, as well as Rookie Design Variations, which fall once per box.
Inserts: The lineup of inserts is short but sets like 1993 Finest Prototype and the all-new Future So Bright set will be popular among collectors. Future So Bright also arrives with autograph variations and features players in their sunglasses.
Autos and relics: As usual, there’s a number of autographs to chase with Finest Autographs and Finest Rookies Design Variation Autographs likely to be hobby favorites.
Finest Moments Autographs arrive with ink from some of baseball’s all-time greats. Those looking to gamble some can chase the Finest Mystery Redemption Cards, which are numbered to just 99.
- Hobby configuration: Six packs per box, 10 cards per pack
- Box break: Two Chrome autographs, two base refractors, 10 inserts or parallels
- Secondary market value: $329.95 (subject to change)
Other releases this week
- 2023 Leaf Trinity Baseball (Wednesday)
- 2024 Upper Deck Marvel Masterpieces XL (Wednesday)
- 2023-24 Upper Deck SPx Hockey (Wednesday)
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct.