Wave 4 of Topps 206 drops to a new release low below 10,000 for the first time at a print run of 9,927 packs. There was also a long delay with this wave coming out, but that happened after all the orders had been placed. It will be interesting to see if that has any affect on future waves. In this series, Sovereign returns replacing Polar Bear backs, and Drum (#/10) replaces Lenox Brown for the first time.
The standard configuration continues in Wave 4, with ten cards per box/pack. this includes eight base cards, along with two parallels, at least one of which is a Piedmont back.
This year, the WWE releases have been few and far between so far, but it’s nice to get the NXT entry. I’m still not a fan of the format where the base cards are matches or other events, rather than wrestler cards, though. An insert set called “We Are NXT” fills the need for roster cards, however. This is a pretty basic release, but still nice to see.
A box features 18 packs, with 7 cards per pack. The configuration ensures you will not get a full base set with one box, however. Each box advertises two autographs, as well.
As with many releases during the pandemic times, this one got pushed back a little bit into an August release. It has the now standard configuration with 300 base cards and 50 additional base SPs. This is a combination of current and retired baseball stars, along with various other pop culture people from across the board. This year feels a little bit light on the random inclusions compared to last year, but they’re still present.
A box contains 24 packs of 8 cards, with an additional box topper. The box advertises three hits, consisting of autographs, relics, and more.
Production for Wave 3 is up slightly from Wave 2, to 12,425 packs. Old Mill backs return to replace American Beauty, while Polar Bear backs makes their first appearance this year, in place of Sovereign. This series has some rookie appearances from Casey Mize and Cristian Pache, along with veteran presence from Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber.
The box contains a single pack of ten cards, which includes eight base cards and two parallels or possible autograph.
Wave 2 of the 2021 Topps 206 sees production drop by more than half from Wave 1, to 11,788 packs. Each wave sees a minor change to the series configuration. For this group, the Old Mill backs have been replaced by American Beauty parallels. As production goes down, the odds of getting some of the rarer parallels get a little bit easier.
This has the same configuration as the first wave, with ten cards in the single enclosed pack. It includes eight base cards along with two parallels or special cards.
