1956 Topps #24 Dick Groat
1956 Topps #24 Dick Groat
About Dick Groat
A two-sport All-American at Duke University, Dick Groat was the national college basketball Player of the Year for 1951-52 before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in June 1952, jumping straight to the majors without a single minor-league game. After a rookie half-season and a two-year Army stint at Fort Belvoir (1953-54), the right-handed shortstop returned in 1955 and, paired with second baseman Bill Mazeroski, gave Pittsburgh one of the era's best middle infields. His signature 1960 season brought the NL batting title at .325 and the National League MVP award, and he anchored the Pirates' World Series championship that fall, their first title since 1925. An eight-time All-Star (1959-64), Groat was traded to St. Louis after 1962 and won a second World Series with the 1964 Cardinals. Over 14 seasons he batted .286 with 2,138 hits and 707 RBI. This Series 1 card exists with both the common white and scarcer 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 | 1,023 | 0 | 16 | 246 | 309 | 225 | 123 | 104 | 0 |
| SGC | 123 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 27 | 25 | 32 | 20 | 2 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 276 · White Back 747
SGC by variation: Gray Back 55 · Gray Back (Overprint - Smith) 1 · White Back 67
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 Dick Groat card?
It is card #24 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 Pittsburgh Pirates player.
Does the 1956 Topps Dick Groat 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 Dick Groat 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.