1956 Topps #316 Jerry Coleman
1956 Topps #316 Jerry Coleman
About Jerry Coleman
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman was a graceful, acrobatic second baseman who signed with the New York Yankees for $2,800 out of San Francisco, inked by scout Joe Devine in 1942 after starring at Lowell High School. He debuted on April 20, 1949, and spent his entire nine-year major-league career (1949-1957) in pinstripes, earning the Associated Press American League Rookie of the Year award in 1949. His finest season came in 1950, when he hit .287, made the All-Star team, and was named Most Valuable Player of the World Series after the Yankees swept the Phillies, driving in the deciding runs. A steady glove on a Yankees dynasty, Coleman collected five World Series championships (1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, and 1956, the year of this card) and finished with a .263 average, 16 home runs, and 217 RBIs. Nicknamed "The Colonel" for his eventual Marine Corps rank of lieutenant colonel, Coleman was a combat pilot who flew 120 missions across World War II and Korea, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 13 Air Medals as the only major leaguer to see aerial combat in two wars. He later managed the Padres in 1980 and became a beloved San Diego broadcaster, winning the Hall of Fame's 2005 Ford C. Frick Award. Card #316 is a scarcer Series 4 high number.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
High Number (Series 4)
Cards 261-340. Unlike most vintage sets, the 1956 high numbers carry NO series premium - they were distributed in similar quantities to the rest of the set.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 873 | 0 | 12 | 203 | 269 | 201 | 104 | 84 | 0 |
| SGC | 81 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 19 | 22 | 15 | 18 | 0 |
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 Jerry Coleman card?
It is card #316 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 New York Yankees player.
Is the 1956 Topps Jerry Coleman 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.