Topps old Atomic Refractors

Torro · 11-17-2025, 03:19 AM

I wasn’t able to find any discussions on this, even if it was discussed +10 years ago I think it’s time for fresh conversation as the hobby (and the number of different variations/patterns) has increased significantly.

I’m talking about the 90s Topps finest / bowman atomic refractors (for example 1996 and 1997 Finest, 1997 Bowman etc) up until 1998 Topps changed atomic refractor looks to “ice”. First of all why the original “Atomic refractors” were cancelled? Secondly, Topps and Panin have created all possible type of refractors, but haven’t bring back the original Atomic (Panini hyper and Topps xfractor is kinda similar but not really the same). Considering how much they have extended the number of different parallels there must be some serious obstacles to print the original atomic refractor pattern.

Would be awesome to know more about the reasons behind, please share if you know anything.

jetta20162 · 11-17-2025, 04:32 AM

one reason could be the greening issues at that time, especially for 1997 finest gold refractors

Torro · 11-17-2025, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetta20162

one reason could be the greening issues at that time, especially for 1997 finest gold refractors

I was thinking about that also, but all the refractors (and base chrome cards) up until 97 had this issue not just the atomic refractors.

My logic is that it’s just the refractor pattern, with today’s tech they should be able to create it with same methods as all the other patterns are created.

phdbeckett · 11-17-2025, 07:40 AM

They still have them in baseball through 1999. I have a Griffey in my PC. Look up finest hyperplaid. Same pattern.

williemayshayes · 11-17-2025, 02:42 PM

It's not some tech that is lost. You can buy the Hyper-Plaid holofoil on Amazon. Probably just a decision they made to not use that pattern any longer.
https://www.amazon.com/Hyper-Plaid-H...07L47BP98?th=1

JeffroYourHero · 11-18-2025, 03:13 PM

2001 Football XFractors are just Atomics with a different name.

imbluestreak23 · 11-18-2025, 03:18 PM

Best parallel design ever

Agree, they should be resurrected, but carefully, and limited.

jetta20162 · 11-20-2025, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

Best parallel design ever

Agree, they should be resurrected, but carefully, and limited.

Many of the 90s parallels have been reused (2012 Fleer retro, 2021 skybox metal universe, etc.), some of them have been reprinted to the moon. Thankfully these where not.

I still have some of the originals

duron · 11-20-2025, 11:52 AM

^nice spread. Saw that the Jordan was pulled on whatnot recently.

I’ve had a few but only hung onto the Penny

jetta20162 · 11-20-2025, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duron

^nice spread. Saw that the Jordan was pulled on whatnot recently.

I’ve had a few but only hung onto the Penny

a PSA 9 Jordan ended 3 days ago on ebay for $8450

packerfan4200 · 11-20-2025, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffroYourHero

2001 Football XFractors are just Atomics with a different name.

Yep, the 2001 bowman chrome xfractors..

BlowoutBuzz · 11-21-2025, 12:00 PM

Stock availability could always be a factor. They don't make the stuff, they just use the stuff that is available among many options. Makers could have shelved the texture for a number of reasons.

11-17-2025, 03:19 AM	#1
Torro Member Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: EU Posts: 465	Topps old Atomic Refractors I wasn’t able to find any discussions on this, even if it was discussed +10 years ago I think it’s time for fresh conversation as the hobby (and the number of different variations/patterns) has increased significantly. I’m talking about the 90s Topps finest / bowman atomic refractors (for example 1996 and 1997 Finest, 1997 Bowman etc) up until 1998 Topps changed atomic refractor looks to “ice”. First of all why the original “Atomic refractors” were cancelled? Secondly, Topps and Panin have created all possible type of refractors, but haven’t bring back the original Atomic (Panini hyper and Topps xfractor is kinda similar but not really the same). Considering how much they have extended the number of different parallels there must be some serious obstacles to print the original atomic refractor pattern. Would be awesome to know more about the reasons behind, please share if you know anything.

11-17-2025, 04:32 AM	#2
jetta20162 Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Posts: 278	one reason could be the greening issues at that time, especially for 1997 finest gold refractors __________________ 90's Basketball - https://flickr.com/photos/202877037@N08/albums

11-17-2025, 07:40 AM	#4
phdbeckett Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,812 phdbeckett	They still have them in baseball through 1999. I have a Griffey in my PC. Look up finest hyperplaid. Same pattern. __________________ Collecting: Kobe Bryant - LeBron James - Michael Jordan Giannis Rare Base / Parallels / Inserts[COLOR="black"]

11-18-2025, 03:13 PM	#6
JeffroYourHero Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 43 jeffahenderson	2001 Football XFractors are just Atomics with a different name. __________________ Insta: @jeffrosjordans PCs: Jordan; Harold Miner; Steve Smith Sr.; Warrick Dunn; Rocket Ismail; David Palmer (Alabama)

11-18-2025, 03:18 PM	#7
imbluestreak23 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Meandering the matrix code that the hobby/forum overlords spit out Posts: 17,817 shortslabs	Best parallel design ever Agree, they should be resurrected, but carefully, and limited. __________________ @shortslabs I'VE WITNESSED HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE HERE...IT'S ROTTEN https://www.youtube.com/c/TylerShort

11-17-2025, 02:42 PM	#5
williemayshayes Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Indiana Posts: 859	It's not some tech that is lost. You can buy the Hyper-Plaid holofoil on Amazon. Probably just a decision they made to not use that pattern any longer. https://www.amazon.com/Hyper-Plaid-H...07L47BP98?th=1

11-20-2025, 11:52 AM	#9
duron Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: NYC Posts: 12,095 drewtang duron	^nice spread. Saw that the Jordan was pulled on whatnot recently. I’ve had a few but only hung onto the Penny __________________ IG: Darz90sCardz PC: MJ/Penny

11-21-2025, 12:00 PM	#12
BlowoutBuzz Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 14,084	Stock availability could always be a factor. They don't make the stuff, they just use the stuff that is available among many options. Makers could have shelved the texture for a number of reasons. __________________ www.blowoutbuzz.com >>><<< Got something cool or interesting that might be worth a story? Know someone whose collection could be profiled? Send me a DM.