2020 Onyx/Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball Pack Break

Look what I was able to get my hands on. This is a pack of the new 2020 Onyx/Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball. It continues to blow my mind seeing two card manufacturers come together and work on a single product.

This high-end release comes with (4) packs per display box. Housed inside each pack are (6) cards. Every pack contains an autograph, relic, or autograph/relic.

The base set consists of only (50) cards. There are (3) types of Heritage parallels that you can pull – Bronze #’ed/15, Silver #’ed/11, and Gold #’ed/6.

Every hit is limited to (10) copies or less. Autographs are all on-card. No stickers.

Futera’s metal-framed cards have always been my favorite. A lot more detail and attention goes into them compared to other metal-framed cards found in competitor’s products. Very ornate.

Here is what I pulled:

Auto:

• Luis Rodriguez Phenoms 24ct Gold-Plated Framed Auto #’ed/8

This card was signed on April 16, 2020 in the Dominican Republic.

Parallel:

• Robert Puason Silver Heritage #’ed/11

Base:

• Leonel Valera #43
• Nolan Ryan #49
• Ichiro Suzuki #50
• Cristian Santana #38

2020 Futera/Onyx Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball Is Here

Futera and Onyx are at it again. For a second year in a row collectors get to enjoy their Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball set.

This week marks the release of this product. Some breakers have begun to open it, and singles have started to surface on the secondary market. Card companies collaborating on a single product certainly isn’t something you see today.

(4) packs come in every display box. Inside each pack is an autograph, relic, or autograph/relic. You can even use the empty display box as a storage container when your finished.

2020 Futera/Onyx Unique Prospects & Legends is packed with some incredible looking cards. Very ornate and fancy! They make the coolest looking gold-plated metal framed cards.

Onyx and Futera Team-Up Again For 2020 Baseball Unique Prospects & Legends

An impressive new baseball product arrived last year, and it looks to be returning again in 2020.  Onyx and Futera plan to release 2020 Baseball Unique Prospects & Legends in October.  Two card manufacturers collaborating on a single product doesn’t occur much today, but it seems to be working for them.

This will continue to be a limited release.  Only (70) cases are planned to be made.  Housed inside each decorative box are (4) packs each containing a hit.  On-card Signatures, Game-Used Memorabilia, 24ct Gold-Plated Framed Cards, and plenty of “1 of 1s” highlight the primary pulls.  Each hit is serial numbered to (10) or less.

A 50-card base set is there to put together.  There are (3) Heritage parallels for each base card – Bronze #’ed/15, Silver #’ed/11, and Gold #’ed/6.

Yankees’ top prospect Jasson Dominguez is featured throughout the product as well.  Other notable players include Ronald Acuña Jr., Gleyber Torres, Ichiro Suzuki, Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Mike Piazza, Joe DiMaggio, Satchel Paige, Derek Jeter, and Willie Mays.

I’m a big fan of their 24ct Gold-Plated Framed cards.  They look very ornate and antique.  Because this is a Futera product, collectors get to take advantage of their Code for Collectors and Memorabilia Colour Grading services.  These tools enable you to see how rare your cards are, and the well-documented history as to how they came to be.

Sales Sheet

Checklist

Preview: 2020 Futera Unique World Football (Live Images)

Futera is a card manufacturer that more collectors in the United States should become familiar with.  Last year they teamed-up with Onyx Authenticated to bring collectors 2019 Onyx/Futera Unique Baseball Prospects & Legends.  A collaboration such as this is almost unheard of in today’s hobby.  For many U.S.-based collectors this was their first introduction to the type of cards Futera creates.  I tried a pack and pulled a Julio Pablo Martinez 24ct Gold-Plated Metal Framed Phenoms Auto #’ed/9.  Unless he turns into the next Mike Trout, this card will remain in my personal collection just because of how well it was made.

I can’t talk about Futera without bringing up their Code for Collectors and Memorabilia Color Grading Services.  Code for Collectors allows you to see all of the details that went into making your specific card – photo of the card, date signed, materials used in making the card, etc…  Color Grading Services will tell you how many cards from certain sets have 1-color, 2-color, 3-color, etc… relics in them.  U.S. collectors would love to have services such as these.  They certainly help with identifying altered cards.

European football (soccer) is what Futera is really known for today.  2020 Futera Unique World Football is their next product set to release.  (4) packs come in a box, with a hit in every pack.  Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Virgil Van Dijk, Antoine Griezmann, Sadio Mane, Pele, and Diego Maradona are just some of the key players you’ll find.

Sales Sheet

Checklist

Until now the only images we’ve seen have been the mock-ups made for the sales sheet.  Sports Card Info was recently given a glimpse inside this product, and received actual photos of the cards to share.  No mock-ups here.  These are the real deal.  Enjoy!

2019 Onyx Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball Hobby Mini-Box Break & Review

Hobby accomplishment of the year should go to both Onyx Authenticated and Futera.  Two card manufacturers working together to release a single product is an amazing accomplishment not easily achieved in today’s world of league-exclusive deals.  You just don’t see it happen.  This team-up took me by surprise.  Its a good surprise because both companies make some really nice looking products.  Between Onyx Authenticated’s baseball connections, and Futera’s superior printing techniques, collectors can enjoy this high-end product called 2019 Onyx Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball.

The 2019 Onyx Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball base set consists of (40) cards.  Falling at a rate of 1:4 packs (1 per box) are Heritage Prospects & Legends cards.  These cover the same subjects found in the base set and come in either Silver #’ed/17 or Gold #’ed/9 versions.

Autographs include Glory Autographs, Legends Autographs, Lineup Autographs, Prominent Autographs, Prospects Autographs, Timeless Autographs, Tribute Autographs, and Triumph Autographs.

Autograph Relics include Game Gear Autograph Relics, Legacy Autograph Relics, and Masters Autograph Relics.

Gold-Plated Framed Autographs include Memostars Autograph Relics, Mythicals Autographs, Phenoms Autographs, 1-of-1 Autographs, 1-of-1 Autograph Relics, and 1-of-1 Cut Autographs.  These are my favorite cards.  Their Gold-Plated Framed cards are much more ornate.

As the name suggests, you’ll find cards of both young prospects and retired/Hall of Famers.  The names range from Wander Franco to Nolan Ryan.

In today’s hobby, Futera is known for making high-end European soccer products.  Very limited stuff.  With the release of 2019 Onyx Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball, American baseball fans can take advantage of Futera’s Code for Collectors and Memorabilia Color Grading services.  I say this about Futera every time I talk about them, but these services are ones that collectors would love other manufacturers to have.  It takes autograph and relic documentation to a whole new level.  With services such as these, it massively cuts down on counterfeits and altered cards.

A full box consists of (4) mini-boxes.  (1) mini-box containing a hit can cost $70.  $300 for a full box.

I hope this isn’t the last time these two companies work together.  This collaboration should be an example to other manufacturers.

Checklist

Here is what I pulled:

Auto

• Julio Pablo Martinez Gold-Plated Framed Phenoms Auto #’ed/9

Base

• Austin Beck #2
• Noelvi Marte #21
• Nolan Gorman #10
• Richard Gallardo #7
• Daniel Alvarez #1

On the back of these cards is an 8-digit code.  If you enter the code into Futera’s Code for Collectors database it will provide you with lots of information about that card.

Here’s what comes up when I input the code found on my Julio Pablo Martinez Gold-Plated Framed Phenoms Auto #’ed/9:

You’re shown an actual picture of your card.

Check out all of this info:

• Name: JULIO PABLO MARTINEZ
• Card Number: PH18
• Subset: Phenoms
• Set: Prospects and Legends Unique 2019
• Print Run: 9
• Released: 9
• Board: Acard Board – White
• Thickness: 3mm
• Gsm: n/a
• Ink – Front: 4 color
• Ink – Back: 4 color
• Foil Front: n/a
• Foil Back: Digital Foil
• Embossing: n/a
• Special Print Techniques: Matt Laminated
• Accessories to use: Toploader 197pt
• Hand Crafting: Foil Numbering
• Engraving: Gold Frame Piece
• Coding Type: Print Code
• Memo 1: This card was signed by Julio Pablo Martinez on July 24, 2019, in Kinston, North Carolina and is certified by ONYX Authentication and Futera.  Being limited in number this card is considered a true collector’s item.

2019 Onyx/Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball Preview

Two card manufacturers working together on a single product is certainly not something that happens very often.  Especially during a time when exclusives are all the rage, and everyone is out for themselves.  Onyx Authenticated and Futera have done what seems to be the impossible.  Working simultaneously, both companies are happy to introduce 2019 Onyx/Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball.

No.  There aren’t any team names and/or logos.  But given the quality of these cards, I truly believe that doesn’t matter one bit.  Futera mainly focuses on European soccer now, but I’ve always thought their cards looked extremely well done.  I didn’t think seeing a baseball product come from them was a possibility until now.  Onyx’s baseball products aren’t too shabby either.  Their Vintage Collection is a blast to open.

2019 Onyx/Futera Unique Prospects & Legends Baseball is a limited, high-end release.  Only (75) cases will be produced.  Each pack contains an autograph or autograph/relic.  Baseball fans will get to take advantage of Futera’s Colour Grading and Code For Collectors features.  These are two services which allow you to see how rare that relic card might be, and the process that went into making that specific card.  Its a level of documentation that every card manufacturer should adhere to.  Services such as these really helps to cut down on counterfeits.

Be sure to checkout the official sales sheet and checklist.  You’ll find its filled with prospects and Hall of Famers.  I wouldn’t mind pulling that Babe Ruth cut signature.  My favorite cards are the 24ct Gold-Plated Framed cards.

(4) packs come in a single box.  Each pack will cost around $97.  That’s about $400 for the entire box.  As of this writing, August 23rd is the launch date.

Preview: 2018 Futera Unique World Football

A lot of collectors would like to see American card companies issue products in the way Futera does.  Here in America, collectors have many products thrown at them all year long.  Futera is the total opposite.  They produce a handful of products throughout the year in small quantities.  Most of these products center around football (soccer).

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  Futera makes some of the nicest looking high-end cards on the planet.  More collectors from the U.S. should pay attention to them.  Futera’s Colour Grading and Code For Collectors services demonstrate a level of documentation that American collectors can only dream about.  When issuing fewer products, services such as these can be put into place.

In August, Futera plans to release it’s next product, 2018 Unique World Football.

What will you find?

• (4) packs per box
• (6) boxes per minicase
• (3) minicases per case
• A full case will include (18) boxes and (72) packs

Every pack includes up to (12) base cards, plus either a limited edition memorabilia card, or an on-card signed autograph, or a 24ct gold-plated framed autograph or memorabilia card.  Every third pack also includes a “Heritage” card (one of either a “Heritage Gold” #’ed/23 or “Heritage Silver” #’ed/39).

Each box will include a pack which has either an on-card signed autograph, or a 24ct gold-plated framed autograph or memorabilia card.

A minicase will average (18) rare memorabilia cards, (3) on-card signed autographs, plus (1) “1 of 1” 24ct gold-plated framed autograph, memorabilia or combo auto/memorabilia card, plus (2) 24ct gold-plated framed cards.

For a full rundown of the entire product, checkout the sales sheet.

Once all of the packs are opened, you can use the box to store your cards.

My favorite cards are the ones featuring a 24ct gold-plated frame.  We have metal framed cards here in America, but the ones made by Futera are really ornately designed.  I pulled one from a pack last year.

Futera’s 2017 Zou Shiming UNIQUE Collection

To the American sports card collector, Futera may not be the first manufacturer that comes to mind.  Even if you’re not into the sports that they make cards for, you seriously need to check them out.  Their designs are out of this world, and the amount of documentation that goes into each product is something U.S. collectors can only dream about.  Code For Collectors allows you to see behind the scenes footage, how many cards were issued, and the materials and processes that went into making that specific card.  Futera’s Colour Grading database breaks down the amount of colored swatches found in a product too.  Insanely cool!

Futera is preparing for a new season of their Soccer UNIQUE Collection.  In the meantime, they just released a product based on Chinese professional boxer Zou Shiming.  This too is part of their UNIQUE Collection line.  Its a high-end set costing $299 per box.  Only (750) boxes have been made.  Every box includes a 30-card base set and (1) Heritage parallel numbered to (20) Silver or (5) Gold.  You’ll also find (2) memorabilia cards or (1) memorabilia card and (1) Zou Shiming autographed/memorabilia card.  Relics include boxing gloves, fight shorts, Olympic tracksuit, sneakers, training jacket, t-shirts, and boots.  All memorabilia was personally obtained by Zou Shiming.

Some of the neatest cards that Futera makes are the ones featuring 24ct gold-plated frames.  We here in America have seen metal framed cards before, but nothing as ornate compared to what Futera makes.  Futera’s look as if they should be on display in a 1,000+ year old European castle.  You’ll find cards of Zou Shiming like this too.

Boxes, Minicases, and Master Cases are still available.

2016 Futera Liverpool Unique Collection Pack Break & Review

Futera’s name is synonymous with high-end cards.  To put it simply, they are the Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bentley of the trading card industry.  Their focus is mainly English Premier League football (soccer) clubs.  International collectors have been familiar with Futera ever since they began in 1989.  Last year it was announced that their products would have more of an American presence.

The level of detail that Futera has put into their “Code For Collectors” and “Colour Grading” services is literally off the charts.  “Code For Collectors” allows you to see how that autograph, memorabilia, and/or special insert card was made.  The database features photos and a full detailed write-up about that specific card.  Futera’s “Colour Grading” service displays the number of different colored relics there are for a certain card.  For example, lets say you pull a memorabilia card serial numbered out of (25).  Their database will tell you out of those (25) which ones contain a 1-color, 2-color, 3-color, etc relic.  This is the exact setup every card company should have.  With all of this documentation, it makes it almost impossible to fall for a counterfeit.  American card companies have only scratched the surface with tools like these.

I was able to get my hands on a pack of Futera’s latest product, 2016 Liverpool Unique Collection.  The entire product focuses on the Liverpool Football Club which has a deep history given that it was established in 1892.  Many other products from their Unique Collection line are team specific as well.

2016 Liverpool Unique Collection is a high-end set.  Each box contains (4) packs with a “hit” inside every pack.  Full boxes sell for $300, and individual packs go for $80.  Futera only made (30) total cases.

The base set consists of (50) cards.  Heritage parallels were made for (40) cards each limited to (30) copies.  Other product highlights include:

• “Memorable” memorabilia cards #’ed/43
• “Superstars” memorabilia cards #’ed/43
• “Team Heroes” dual memorabilia cards #’ed/32
• “Then & Now” dual memorabilia cards #’ed/29
• “Kitcard” dual memorabilia cards #’ed/27
• “Memostars” memorabilia cards with 24ct gold-plated title #’ed/15
• “The Mythicals” memorabilia cards with 24ct gold-plated frame #’ed/7

You’ll also find a good share of autographs too.  Speaking of autographs.  I don’t believe that Futera knows the meaning of a sticker autograph.  Everything I’ve seen has been signed on-card.  You have to admire that.

I really enjoy the way Futera designed these cards.  Lots of heavy white card stock makes the colored action shots pop.  A high-end look can be seen from the base cards all the way up to the rare “hits”.  Those Mythicals cards are some of the most ornately designed cards I’ve ever seen.  They look as if they were made to hang in a museum.

Overall, it was an entertaining break.

Here is what I pulled:

Base

• John Barnes #32
• Philippe Coutinho #16
• Jordan Henderson #18
• Sadio Mané #27
• Robbie Fowler #39
• Jerzy Dudek #38
• Cameron Brannagan #13
• Roberto Firmino #25
• Graeme Souness #50

Memorabilia

• Gerry Byrne Mythicals Matchday Programme #’ed/7 – contains a piece of programme from the 1965 FA Cup Final between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Wembley Stadium; 24ct gold-plated frame

Card of the Day: Paul Scholes 2011 Futera Unique Auto