1956 Topps #160 Billy Pierce
1956 Topps #160 Billy Pierce
About Billy Pierce
Signed by his hometown Detroit Tigers in 1945, left-handed pitcher Billy Pierce debuted at age 18 without ever playing in the minors, then was traded to the Chicago White Sox, for whom he starred from 1949 through 1961 before finishing with the San Francisco Giants (1962-1964). A seven-time All-Star (1953, 1955-1959, 1961) and the ace of the "Go-Go" Sox, he led the American League in ERA in 1955 (1.97), in strikeouts in 1953 (186), and in wins in 1957 (20), posting back-to-back 20-win seasons in 1956-1957 and earning Sporting News Pitcher of the Year honors both years. Over 18 seasons he went 211-169 with a 3.27 ERA and 1,999 strikeouts. On June 27, 1958, he retired the first 26 Washington Senators before a ninth-inning double spoiled his perfect-game bid. Nicknamed "Mr. Zero" after throwing six shutouts as a high school junior, he anchored Chicago's 1959 pennant winners and, with the 1962 Giants, threw a three-hit shutout to help clinch the NL flag. The White Sox retired his number 19 in 1987. This second-series card exists with both the scarcer white and the common gray 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 | 884 | 0 | 16 | 239 | 219 | 205 | 105 | 99 | 1 |
| SGC | 95 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 2 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 829 · White Back 55
SGC by variation: Gray Back 92 · White Back 3
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 Billy Pierce card?
It is card #160 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 Chicago White Sox player.
Does the 1956 Topps Billy Pierce 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 Billy Pierce 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.