1956 Topps #137 Al Silvera
1956 Topps #137 Al Silvera
About Al Silvera
Aaron Albert "Al" Silvera (August 26, 1935 – July 24, 2002) was a San Diego–born outfielder whose 1956 Topps card (#137) captures a classic 1950s "bonus baby." A standout at the University of Southern California, where he reportedly batted .405 for the Trojans, Silvera signed with the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1955 for a $20,000 bonus. Under the era's bonus rule, that signing forced the 19-year-old onto Cincinnati's major-league roster for the full season rather than letting him develop in the minors. He debuted on June 12, 1955, and appeared mostly as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement, collecting his lone big-league hit — a two-run single to right field — during that first summer. His career totaled just 14 games across 1955 and 1956, with a .143 average (1-for-7), no home runs, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored before his final game on May 8, 1956. Released that May, he played minor-league ball through 1958. Silvera, who was of Jewish heritage, never established himself in the majors, making this rookie-year card the enduring record of a promising college hitter whose bonus-baby status outpaced his big-league opportunity. Card #137 is a second-series issue found with both the scarcer white and more common gray back stock.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Variations & how to tell them apart
White Back / Gray Back Series 1 & 2 (cards 1-180)
Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
- White Back: Printed on white/cream card stock. The standard/common look on cards 1-100; the SCARCE, premium variation on cards 101-180.
- Gray Back: Printed on gray card stock. The scarcer variation on cards 1-100 (modest premium); the common look on cards 101-180; the ONLY back on cards 181-340.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 793 | 1 | 19 | 222 | 207 | 168 | 95 | 81 | 0 |
| SGC | 56 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 1 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 723 · White Back 70
SGC by variation: Gray Back 49 · White Back 7
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-30. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Al Silvera card?
It is card #137 of 340 in the 1956 Topps set - Topps' first set after buying out rival Bowman, and one of the most attractive issues in the hobby. It pictures the Cincinnati Redlegs player, and is his first Topps card (rookie).
Does the 1956 Topps Al Silvera have back variations?
Yes. Every card #1-180 exists with the reverse printed on white/cream card stock OR on gray card stock. Cards #181-340 are gray-back only. The scarcity FLIPS at #100: on cards 1-100 the gray back is slightly scarcer (a modest premium); on cards 101-180 the gray backs are far more common (about 12-15 to 1), so the WHITE back is the scarce, premium variation - often +50% or more, and disproportionately so in high grade, since the white-stock cards tend to be more brittle.
Is the 1956 Topps Al Silvera valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back or front variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, BaseballCardPedia, PSA & SGC population reports, and Baseball-Almanac. Card data, images & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.