Card Identification Forum

The Refractor parallel is supposed to be serial numbered to 25 print run issues. However, I have one from this parallel set that does not have a serial number stamped on the back. I got the card 20 years ago from a 2004 Topps Pristine pack. Anybody know any details about this? Or have any ideas? 

Very odd.

Don't see any other refractors with the missing serial number from searching.  Maybe somehow missed the stamping process aka Topps QA department strikes again?

Here is the same card properly stamped

https://www.ebay.com/itm/276407877651?itmmeta=01HWJ3VHDZ865ZZ3MBBKR9TT30&hash=item405b318013:g:STAAAOSwcplmC2bk&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8BVVzzWUz40shb49BkEu6b4m2oiuXv44HJtC5PlTaWZwbdHz9ycA9hcc2SDjL0kbjprTFLGEtBw15EoY7GsUH9HwQ6hPf2MXPPzkg7J8I2ODu2Q16CuWsIuhlwvuTuEGtb8%2BGK3KAWJP%2F3EHVCSmb1AertK2hrgu8ZCBFqPmp3ciOGVegMPDipblZmR%2FqfWJqiuSHK5fl5SlrzcwQXP6tLQyYoRqa9yqyPeW6nmkShnm0L69hHg1uhRlR2vp9qq%2FjERApNXeEq8XQTy5bLmnOZ1oy4TbDWSHaQFNvZMioeg%2BkBhnbv%2FkRtfwi4wuJdV%2BiA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5aX7sPkYw

https://www.tcdb.com/Checklist.cfm/sid/17419/2004-Topps-Pristine---Going-Going-Gone-Bat-Relics

Is this the set?

I see the refractor wording on your card after I posted this.

That's the insert set yes. Except it's the refractor parallel version/set

In the eBay item, I noticed there is a Topps case that the card is encased in. Are those cases only used for redemption cards? Mine was not a redemption. I just found the card in a pack

According to this Baseballcardpedia.com page, the refractor parallels are Uncirculated (that means they come in a sealed case) and numbered to 25:

http://baseballcardpedia.com/index.php/2004_Topps_Pristine#Going_Going_Gone_Bat_Relics

The page(all the way at the top) also says that each pack had 3 "mini packs". One of those mini packs had an uncirculated card.

Sounds like a Topps goof up to me or Baeballcardpedia.com is missing something (and Beckett for that matter, since Beckett also shows only the uncirculated refractors). I think the Topps goof up is the most likely scenario.

You can try reaching out to Topps.  They aren't usually very helpful but its worth a shot on something I'm not sure we'll find out anything else on.

I have long believed it was something Topps messed up. I've seen the Baseballcardpedia page on it before as well. The uncirculated part is what made me wonder if it was supposed to be a redemption. Then I noticed the one from eBay (link posted above) and saw it's in the Topps sealed case. Thanks for the info.

I might try contacting Topps. Do they have an online way to contact with questions?