Ranking the Topps Sets from 1952 to 2025. (updated from 5 years ago)

 This is an update from 2020.

Ranking the Topps baseball sets from 1952 to 2025. It is based on the look and feel of the card set (or mostly how I feel about them) - The last five years have not been kind. I have noted where I flipped some of the older set rankings - as I have become fickle - The rankings: 

1.  1972

2.  1959

3.  1983

4.  1971

5.  1953

6.  1965

7.  1975 - I don't know why I had 67 above this set - Heck I am not sure 65 or 53 is better. Moved from 8 to 7

8.  1967 - moved from 7 to 8

9.  1952

10. 1991

Maybe the most surprising pick is 1983, but it was an improvement over the 1963 set that is was based on. The 1983 set is sort like ‘The Empire Strikes Back” in the first Star Wars Trilogy.  The 1971s were not called Black Beauties for nothing.  The 1991 was most colorful and had the best anniversary logo ever. The 1972 set is Topps at its pinnacle. Its Large in size and Beautiful Looking.  The 1959 set has the kaleidoscope look of paintings.

11.  1956

12.  1963

13.  1987

14.  1969

15.  1962

16.  1968

17.  1957

18.  1976

19. 1954

20. 1955

The golden age really dominates the next ten. The 1987 set was an improvement over the brownish borders of 1962 and 1968.  The 1956 set is great looking but it reminds me just a tad of the late 1980s Topps Big set. The 1969 set was the 1967 just reworked a little.

21. 2008

22. 1966

23. 1958

24. 1964 - moved up one from 25

25. 1977 - moved up one from 26

26. 2003 - 2023 seems to be its equal so why is this set so far up here and that set so low down there - moved down two from 24

27. 2005

28. 1961

29. 1988

30. 1985

The 21^st century breaks through, 2008 was one of the most unique designs ever though the photos may have been too small.  If you look closely 1964, 1977, 1986, 2004 sets are an evolving evolution of the same design.  2003 was a good rendition of 1963 and 1983 and the same goes with 1985 copying 1965.  This is truly the top half of the sets, we now move to the lower rung.  

31. 1970

32. 1978

33. 2010

34. 1981

35. 1984

36. 2006

37. 1986

38.  1973

39. 1974

40. 2023 - Not sure where to place  - nice 2 photo design - think it is equal 2003 but I placed that set too high

41. 2007

The 2006 had a well thought out design. The 2010 set was based on a 2001 Topps cereal issue. The 2007 was no 1971 set but black borders returned. Surprisingly the 1973 and 1974 are kind of dull and boring though nostalgic.

42. 1990

43. 1979

44. 1980

45. 2013

46. 2012

47. 2014

48. 2022 - a slightly classy. simple design that could grow on me through the years.

49. 1992

50. 1960

51. 2011

52. 1989 - Switched with 2018 - 2024 inserts made me take a slightly different look at this set

53. 2018

2018 was the best of the borderless era, its design looked like the Rolling Stones logo.  2012-2014, were decent sets which varied little in design. The 1990 is the craziest looking set and could be called the Purple Passion set

54. 1982

55. 1993

56. 2009

57. 2004

58. 1995

59. 2020

60. 2017

61. 2001

62. 2019

63. 2024 - 1986, 2015 all over a again? Though This set could grow on me

64. 2015

65. 2016

66. 1994

67. 2025 - this set could eventually fall to the bottom

68. 2021 - A monstrosity 

69. 2002

70. 1998

71. 1996

72. 1997

73. 1999

74. 2000

The last 35 years have not been the golden age but it is better than the late 20^th century.  1982 set is the worst set  in brown card board back era.  Sorry Night Owl but 2015 is nutty and drab looking. The sets from 1997-2000 had so much gloss on them they stick together.