1998 Topps Tek

Description

1998 Topps TEK (stylized in CAPS) is a massive 8100-card set released exclusively to Hobby outlets in October, 1998. This set consists of 90 cards all printed on acetate, with 90 patterns available for each player. Each card is sequentially-numbered twice: Card number and pattern number. At 8100 cards (90 players X 90 patterns), it is the largest set ever produced.

Diffractors, which are seeded 1 in every 6 packs, are parallels of every unique pattern. Because diffractors are not serial-numbered, it's unknown how many were made of pattern. Many collectors agree between 10 and 20 were made for each pattern, except for pattern 49.

Distribution

20 packs per box, 4 cards per pack (MSRP: $5).

Insertion Ratios

Cards	Total Cards	Numbered To	Hobby Odds
Base	90	-	4:1
Diffractors	90	-	1:6

Checklist

Promos

These three cards were produced by Topps to introduce and promote the Topps TEK concept. Each card has "Pre-Production" on the reverse side over top the sequential-number. These cards are skip-numbered; each player has 30 patterns. Gold Promo parallels have surfaced over the years and these are extremely rare, possibly less than 10 copies per player per pattern exist.

<sql2wiki database="carddb"> SELECT num,player FROM cards WHERE (year = 1998) AND (setname = 'Topps Tek Pre-Production'); </sql2wiki>

Base Set

A complete master base set consists of 8100 cards (90 x 90).

A Mark Grace collector's fan site has displayed all 90 different background patterns. Please use this site as a visual guide to all 90 patterns.

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Parallels

All 90 cards in all 90 background patterns are available in a Diffractor parallel.

NOTE: To date, Diffractors of pattern 49 have not emerged.