1956 Topps #12 Andy Carey
1956 Topps #12 Andy Carey
About Andy Carey
Andrew Arthur Carey (born Andrew Hexem, October 18, 1931 – December 15, 2011) was a right-handed third baseman signed out of California by legendary Yankees scout Joe Devine for a reported $60,000 bonus around 1951, after starring at Alameda High and briefly attending St. Mary's College. He reached the majors with New York in 1952 and became the club's regular third baseman, hitting .302 with 65 RBI in his breakout 1954 season and leading the American League with 11 triples in 1955. Carey played 11 big-league seasons (1952–1962) for the Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers, finishing with a .260 average, 741 hits, 64 home runs, and 350 RBI over 938 games. His signature moment came in the 1956 World Series, when he twice helped preserve Don Larsen's perfect game against Brooklyn—knocking down a Jackie Robinson smash the shortstop turned into an out, and later robbing Gil Hodges of a low line drive. A World Series champion during the Yankees' 1950s dynasty, Carey was displaced by young Clete Boyer and traded in 1960; after baseball he worked as a stockbroker. This first-series card (#12) exists with both the common white and scarcer gray cardboard back stock.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
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 | 960 | 2 | 10 | 200 | 275 | 228 | 134 | 111 | 0 |
| SGC | 101 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 29 | 19 | 15 | 25 | 2 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 263 · White Back 697
SGC by variation: Gray Back 52 · Gray Back (Overprint - Mcmillan) 1 · White Back 48
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 Andy Carey card?
It is card #12 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 New York Yankees player.
Does the 1956 Topps Andy Carey 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 Andy Carey 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.