Test Issues Are Fun!

Topps has had some funky test issues in the past, but their “Pro Shooter” Photo Marbles have to be near the top of the funky list.  I can just see kids (and adults) chucking these hard plastic balls at each other.  These were distributed with two marbles per package and there are 60 marbles in the entire set.  They are extremely rare to find and I’m sure some player collectors would love to get their hands on some of them.  Don’t ask how you would store it or grade it, but they do make interesting conversation pieces.

Test issues are some of the most ironic releases.  Topps issues a product in a certain region to “test” how it sells.  If it performs well they release more of it, and if it doesn’t sell well they stop.  What makes it ironic is that a lot of these “test issue” products only become desirable because they didn’t sell.  So what wasn’t popular, now is, because of how unpopular it was 🙂  I’m confused and have a headache!