It seems that the world of sports trading cards has been injected with a shot of adrenaline thanks to the newest addition – Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut card. Instantly sparking a frenzy on the Panini website, they ignited a renewed thrill for card trading.
And while collectors were still catching their collective breath, the 2023 Bowman Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball collection came sauntering onto the scene, smug with the knowledge of the excitement it carries in its wake. Continuing the tradition of celebrating decades of baseball but with a decidedly modern twist, this collection features an extensive 500-card base set that includes not only current stars and rookies but also retired players, each one proudly branded for 2023.
Heartbreakingly beautiful in their detailed renditions, each box delivers a generous series of 96 cards, topped with the cherry of one autographed card. Divided into 24 packs, each pack tantalizingly contains four cards, making each case a treasure chest of 12 lush boxes.
Beyond the standard card set, each box also contains six elusive Refractors, some of them sensationally numbered to 499, and a single X-Fractor. Living up to its name of Platinum Anniversary, the series generously offers a vast variety of parallel cards, treating collectors to refractor versions such as the ethereal Blue Mini-Diamond, the twinkling Speckle, and multiple tints and combinations of the Platinum Toile. Such is the range that these parallels can range from cards numbered as low as the coveted 1/1 SuperFractors to 199.
Cleverly, the more elusive numbered cards are reserved as case hits, further increasing the excitement surrounding these pieces of art. However, the magic doesn’t stop there. The rich variation found in the parallel cards extends to the autographed cards as well, ensuring a unique and highly valued find in each and every box.
The rare Refractor parallel packs are akin to finding a hidden gem, appearing only once in every ten cases. Adding to the charm, the possibility of image variations of the base cards ensures each pack holds a potential treasure, enhancing the exclusive nature of the collection.
Set to leave its mark on the world on May 22, the 2023 Bowman Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball collection promises to deliver a one-of-a-kind collecting experience – one firmly rotted in rich baseball history while dressed in the exquisite tailoring of modern design. So collectors, let the countdown begin; of course, the thrill is in the chase.
