Quick Facts

• Card: 1996 Topps Finest (Star Wars)
• Number: #23 “Grand Admiral Thrawn”
• Why It’s a Rookie: Early mass-market chromium card for Thrawn; widely recognized as the flagship rookie in Finest.

Why This Card Matters

EU icon turned mainstream. With canon re-introductions, Thrawn has surged in relevancy; this Finest chromium rookie is the display piece.

Design & Identification Guide

• Front: Chromium Finest finish; character portrait/action with foil treatments.
• Back: Character bio/stats (set-dependent).
• Common Tells: Surface scratches, print lines, and refractor lines; edge flaking if mishandled.

Condition Sensitivity (What Kills Grades)

• Surface: Finest stock shows hairlines easily—inspect under strong, angled light.
• Edges/Corners: Chipping/flake risk at edges.
• Centering: Usually decent but verify both axes.

Collector Tip: Prioritize centering/framing first, then the most eye-catching areas (nameplate/faces/helmets) before corners and surface.

Variants & Gotchas

• Refractor versions may exist depending on checklist—those are parallel chase, not separate rookies for Council designation.

Grading Notes (PSA / SGC / CGC)

• Top pops depend heavily on surface; clean copies can achieve strong grades.
• Slab aesthetics: Chromium shine presents well across all holders.

Market Snapshot (Context, Not Advice)

• Character premium: Elevated by modern media appearances.
• Parallel appetite: Refractors add a premium ladder for advanced PCs.

Collecting Strategies

1. Surface first; then edges.
2. Store in non-PVC sleeves; avoid scuffing.
3. Character PC ladder: Base #23 → Refractor (if applicable).

Fun Facts

• Thrawn’s origin in novels made this chromium release a landmark EU hobby moment.

Council of Dorks Rookie Verdict

A flagship Thrawn rookie in chromium—condition-sensitive on surface and edges.