1999 Topps TEK Thoughts

[brian26]

What's the general consensus on this card set? How does it hold up, value wise, with '98 TEK?

It looks like each card has an A and B variation, 60 each, for a total of 120 cards for each player.

 

[Brewer Andy]

Singles don't seem to sell as well as the '98's (on average). It you take out the diffractors of '98 and golds of '99 it seems to be a bit easier finding the 60 patterns needed in 1999 than the 90 from 1998. Personally, I actually like the '99 set better and I think the 1999 golds are nicer than 1998 Difractors but at the end of the day, completing a player run from either set is an awesome accomplishment but 1998 is given slightly bigger "props" for dedication and challenge

 

[brian26]

I misspoke. You're correct, Andy. '99 only had 30 patterns for each alternate (A and B), for 60 total, versus the 90 total for '98. 1998 is actually the larger set.

 

[DeliciousBacon]

Singles don't seem to sell as well as the '98's (on average). It you take out the diffractors of '98 and golds of '99 it seems to be a bit easier finding the 60 patterns needed in 1999 than the 90 from 1998. Personally, I actually like the '99 set better and I think the 1999 golds are nicer than 1998 Difractors but at the end of the day, completing a player run from either set is an awesome accomplishment but 1998 is given slightly bigger "props" for dedication and challenge

It'll only be a matter of time before the 1999 set shows up on more collector's radars. Right now, it's a significantly cheaper alternative to the 1998 set, easier to complete a player (but no so easy that there's no challenge), and the parallels being numbered make their scarcity a known quantity. I got lucky and almost completed a 1999 Adrian Beltre set (missing just one each A and B), for maybe $15. I'll most likely never complete a player run from 1998, and if I do, I'll have to overpay.

 

[predatorkj]

The 98's for bagwell cost way too much IMO. I've been done for a long time with the 99's and 2000's. All I need is golds for the 99's(I've got a few already), and some colors for 2000(also have a few already). So far I've got like 7 or 8 base patterns and one single diffractor for 98. 1998 is a lot more expensive and even harder to find for my player. There's a ton on eBay for 2000 and 99 right now. Try to find a 98...

 

[Brewer Andy]

I've been stuck on one last pattern for '99 for over 2 years I think

1999 Topps Tek #21B Pattern 14 Greg Vaughn Away

 

[gracecollector]

1998 and 1999 prices are pretty comparable for Grace (base vs. base, diffractor vs. gold). Figure $1-$2 for base either year, $15-$25 for diffractor/gold). I've had much better luck finding golds (37/60) than diffractors (26/80), though most people feel there should be less golds than diffractors made per pattern.

I actually like 1999 better than 1998. The backgrounds, tailored to each player's stats in many occurances, are more unique and baseball relevent.

 

[predatorkj]

Honestly base 98 can go for around $4-$6 and the 99's go for opening bid. Diffractors usually run in the $45 range while golds usually run around $25-$40.