1956 Topps #155 Harvey Kuenn
1956 Topps #155 Harvey Kuenn
About Harvey Kuenn
A star shortstop at the University of Wisconsin, Harvey Kuenn (born 1930 in West Allis, Wisconsin) was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent on June 9, 1952, for a $55,000 bonus and reached the majors almost immediately. His 1953 rookie season was one of the finest ever: he led the American League in hits and set a new AL record with 679 at-bats, winning Rookie of the Year on 23 of 24 votes. A superb contact hitter who could spray line drives to any field, Kuenn made ten straight All-Star teams (1953-1960) and won the 1959 AL batting title with a .353 average, 27 points ahead of teammate Al Kaline. Before the 1960 season he was dealt to Cleveland for home-run champion Rocky Colavito, the only time a batting champ was traded for a home-run champ. Over 15 seasons with the Tigers, Indians, Giants, Cubs, and Phillies he hit .303 with 2,092 hits. He later managed Milwaukee's 1982 "Harvey's Wallbangers" to the AL pennant and a seven-game World Series. Kuenn died in 1988. On this #155, Detroit teammates share the set's white-back (scarcer) and gray-back stock variation.
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 | 897 | 0 | 13 | 199 | 249 | 197 | 112 | 127 | 0 |
| SGC | 89 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 29 | 0 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 806 · White Back 91
SGC by variation: Gray Back 81 · White Back 8
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 Harvey Kuenn card?
It is card #155 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 Detroit Tigers player.
Does the 1956 Topps Harvey Kuenn 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 Harvey Kuenn 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.