If you’ve been stalking your local Target or refreshing your favorite hobby shop's "New Arrivals" page, you probably noticed something weird about the 2024 Topps Heritage High Number checklist. Specifically, that it basically didn't exist for most of 2024. In a move that left collectors scratching their heads, Topps decided to push the release of this set all the way back to March 26, 2025.
It's a bizarre timeline. Usually, High Number drops in the fall to capture all the late-season call-ups and trade deadline madness. This time? It’s landing right when the next year’s Heritage is supposed to be the star of the show.
But honestly, the wait might be worth it. Because of this massive delay, the checklist has become a weird, wonderful hybrid. It’s technically a 2024 product, but it features rookie cards for guys who didn't even see a major league diamond until the dog days of summer. If you're looking for the definitive word on what's actually in these packs, here is the real deal on the 1975-themed set that took forever to get here.
The Core Set: 200 Cards and the SP Chase
The base set for 2024 Heritage High Number follows the numbering of the original 2024 Heritage release, starting right where that one left off. We're looking at cards #501 through #700 for the main set.
But as any Heritage veteran knows, the set doesn't end there. There are 25 Short Prints (SPs) tucked at the very end, numbered #701 to #725. You’re going to find these at a rate of roughly 1 in every 3 or 4 packs.
Key Names in the Short Print Mix
- Michael King (#701) - Now leading the rotation in San Diego.
- Vidal Brujan (#703)
- Nick Lodolo (#707)
- Eloy Jimenez (#708)
- Joey Loperfido (#709) - A massive name for Houston collectors.
- Max Schuemann (#712)
- Justin Slaten (#721)
If you are trying to complete the full 225-card run, these SPs are the ones that will keep you up at night. They aren't "impossible" to find, but they’re just rare enough to make a complete set feel like a real accomplishment.
The 2024 Topps Heritage High Number Checklist Rookie Class
This is where the delay pays dividends. Because Topps waited so long, they were able to squeeze in the elite talent that dominated the headlines in late 2024. We are talking about the "Big Three" of the rookie class.
Paul Skenes (#594) is the absolute crown jewel here. His presence alone is going to drive the secondary market prices for hobby boxes. Then you have Jackson Holliday (#692) and Jackson Chourio (#632).
Most people don't realize that having these guys in the Heritage High Number set is actually better for the long-term value than if they were in a mid-season release. The 1975 design—with those wild two-tone borders—is iconic. Seeing a Skenes or a Jackson Merrill (#689) in that vintage aesthetic is a vibe you just don't get with the standard flagship Topps Update.
Other Notable Rookies to Circle:
- Yuki Matsui
- Jung Hoo Lee
- Wyatt Langford
- Colt Keith
- Tyler Black
- Jack Leiter
Variations: The "Gimmicks" You’ll Miss if You Aren't Careful
Heritage is famous (or infamous) for its hidden variations. They look identical to the base cards unless you’re paying attention to the tiny details or the fine print on the back.
One of the most popular is the Color Swap Variation. In the original 1975 set, the team name and the player name were in specific colors. In these variations, those colors are flipped. It’s subtle. It’s annoying. And collectors love it. There are 40 of these in the checklist, featuring stars like Josh Hader (#501), Corbin Burnes (#504), and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (#508).
Then you have the Image Variations. These are basically "Action" shots. Instead of the standard portrait or posed photo, you get the player sliding into second or mid-swing. There are only 20 of these, making them much tougher pulls than the standard base cards.
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The Rarities
If you really want to find the monsters, you have to look for:
- Missing Signature Variations: (20 cards) - The facsimile autograph on the front is just... gone.
- Team/City Name Swap: (10 cards) - Ever seen a card where the city and team name are traded? It looks "wrong," and that’s why it’s expensive.
- Throwback Uniforms: (10 cards) - These are the "Holy Grail" of non-numbered variations. Think 1 in 9,500 packs. If you pull one, don't just toss it in a common box.
Parallels and the Chrome Factor
Topps Heritage isn't usually a "parallel-heavy" product, but High Number changes the rules a bit.
Border Parallels
- White Border: 1 per 15 packs.
- Aqua Border: 2 per Hobby box; 1 per Blaster.
- Dark Blue Border: 4 per Hobby box (Hobby Exclusive).
- Green Border: 3 per Blaster (Retail Exclusive).
- Black Border: Numbered to 50.
- Flip Stock: This is the weirdest one. The card feels rough on the front and smooth on the back—the opposite of a normal card. Only 5 of each exist.
The Chrome Checklist
The Chrome cards are a set within a set. There are 625 cards in the Chrome checklist, covering players from both the main Heritage set and the High Number series.
- Base Chrome: #’d to 699.
- Refractor: #’d to 225.
- Black Refractor: #’d to 75.
- Gold Refractor: #’d to 5.
- Superfractor: 1/1.
If you’re ripping Hobby boxes, you’re guaranteed five Chrome cards on average. They are the most liquid cards in the set—meaning if you want to sell them to fund your next box, they move fast on eBay.
The 1975 Inserts: Nostalgia Overload
Topps really leaned into the 1975 vibes for the insert sets this year.
The Fred Lynn Files is a highlight. 1975 was the year Fred Lynn became the first player ever to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. This 10-card insert set tracks that historic run.
There's also Perfectly Programmed, which sounds like a tech set but it’s actually about players who play like machines. It’s a nod to 1975 being the birth year of the personal computer. You’ll find guys like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts in this one.
Lastly, don't sleep on the 1975 Minis. These are shrunken-down versions of the base cards. They’re adorable, they’re hard to store, and they are surprisingly collectable for set-builders.
Hits: Real One Autographs and Relics
Let’s be real: most people buy boxes for the "Real One" autographs. These are on-card (no stickers!) and signed in blue ink.
The 2024 Topps Heritage High Number checklist features an insane mix of legends and current stars. You’ve got the rookie trio—Skenes, Chourio, and Holliday—but you also have the 1975 legends like Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson.
Cut Signatures
If you are the person who wins the lottery, you might find a 1975 Celebrity Cut Signature. These are 1/1 cards featuring people who were famous in 1975. We’re talking Joe Frazier, Ringo Starr, and John Wayne. It’s the kind of card that ends up in a museum or a very high-end private collection.
Actionable Insights for Collectors
If you're looking to dive into this set, keep a few things in mind to maximize your value.
- Check the Backs: Always look at the card number. Topps usually labels the variations (like "Image" or "Color Swap") right next to the number on the back of the card. Don't be the person who sells a $200 variation for $0.50 because you didn't look closely.
- Hobby vs. Retail: If you want autographs, go Hobby. If you just want the cool-looking Aqua or Green borders, Blasters are actually a better value. The odds for the big rookies like Skenes are the same across both formats, so don't feel like you have to spend $140 on a hobby box to find a hit.
- The Delay is Your Friend: Because this set is coming out so late, a lot of the "hype" collectors have moved on to 2025 Series 1. This means you might be able to find boxes at a slight discount if you wait a few weeks after the March release.
- Grade the Chrome: If you pull a Chrome Refractor of Skenes or Merrill and it looks centered, get it to PSA or SGC. Heritage Chrome cards have a very low "Gem Rate" because the centering is notoriously difficult on the 1975 design. A PSA 10 will carry a massive premium.
The 2024 Topps Heritage High Number checklist is a weird time capsule of a season that's already over, but for fans of the 1975 design and the current rookie class, it's easily the most interesting release of the year. Grab a stack of sleeves, keep an eye out for those missing signatures, and enjoy one of the last great on-card autograph chases in the hobby.
To stay ahead of the market, keep a close watch on the secondary sales of the High Number Short Prints (#701-#725) during the first week of release, as these often dictate the long-term price floor for set-builders.