1956 Topps #17 Gene Conley
1956 Topps #17 Gene Conley
About Gene Conley
Gene Conley, a towering 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher, was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1930 and raised in Richland, Washington, where he starred in baseball, basketball, and track. After attending Washington State University, he signed with the Boston Braves in 1950 and reached the majors in 1952, spending eleven big-league seasons (1952-1963) with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox. A three-time All-Star (1954, 1955, and 1959), he compiled a career record of 91-96 with a 3.82 ERA and 888 strikeouts, and anchored the mound staff of the Milwaukee Braves' 1957 World Series champions, appearing in relief against the New York Yankees. Conley is famous as one of the very few athletes to play in both Major League Baseball and the NBA: he won three consecutive championships with the Boston Celtics from 1959 to 1961 while pitching in the summers. This 1956 Topps card, issued during his Milwaukee years, exists with both the common white and scarcer 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 | 885 | 2 | 20 | 233 | 266 | 181 | 108 | 73 | 2 |
| SGC | 72 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 13 | 20 | 13 | 8 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 248 · White Back 637
SGC by variation: Gray Back 40 · White Back 32
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 Gene Conley card?
It is card #17 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 Milwaukee Braves player.
Does the 1956 Topps Gene Conley 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 Gene Conley 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.