1956 Topps #164 Harmon Killebrew
1956 Topps #164 Harmon Killebrew
About Harmon Killebrew
Signed as a "bonus baby" by the Washington Senators in June 1954 straight out of Payette, Idaho, the 17-year-old Harmon Killebrew debuted that same month and went on to play 22 major-league seasons (1954-1975) as a first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder for the Senators/Minnesota Twins franchise, finishing with a final year in Kansas City. One of the most feared right-handed sluggers of his era, he retired with 573 home runs, 1,584 RBI, 2,086 hits, and a .256 average. Killebrew was a 13-time All-Star who led the American League in home runs six times (1959, 1962-1964, 1967, and 1969) and was named the 1969 AL MVP after belting 49 homers with 140 RBI. He powered the Twins to the 1965 World Series, batting .286 as Minnesota fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. Nicknamed "The Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon" for his tape-measure power, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. This 1956 Topps card (#164) lists his club as the Washington "Nationals," a period name for the Senators, and like other second-series cards 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 | 3,820 | 1 | 17 | 270 | 455 | 696 | 759 | 1,611 | 11 |
| SGC | 1,231 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 53 | 110 | 253 | 769 | 20 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 3,674 · White Back 146
SGC by variation: Gray Back 1,176 · White Back 55
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 Harmon Killebrew card?
It is card #164 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 Washington Nationals player.
Does the 1956 Topps Harmon Killebrew 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 Harmon Killebrew 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.