1956 Topps #5 Ted Williams
1956 Topps #5 Ted Williams
Ted Williams - the Red Sox legend, one of the set's marquee cards.
About Ted Williams
Widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters who ever lived, Ted Williams was signed off the sandlots of his native San Diego, starring for the Pacific Coast League's San Diego Padres before the Boston Red Sox acquired him; he debuted on April 20, 1939, and spent his entire 19-year career (1939-1960) as Boston's left fielder. A left-handed slugger, he retired with a .344 career average, 521 home runs, 1,839 RBI, and a .482 on-base percentage that remains the major-league record. Williams won two Triple Crowns (1942 and 1947), two American League MVP awards (1946 and 1949), six batting titles, and was a 19-time All-Star. In 1941 he batted .406, the last time any big-leaguer has topped .400, going 6-for-8 in a season-ending doubleheader rather than sit out to protect the mark. He lost roughly five prime seasons to military service as a Marine aviator in World War II and Korea, and famously homered in his final major-league at-bat on September 28, 1960. Nicknamed "The Kid" by Red Sox clubhouse man Johnny Orlando and "The Splendid Splinter" for his lean frame, Williams was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1966. This is one of the 1956 set's marquee cards and, like other first-series cards, 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 | 7,901 | 1 | 29 | 384 | 733 | 1,224 | 1,340 | 4,144 | 46 |
| SGC | 3,127 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 125 | 188 | 472 | 2,166 | 149 |
PSA by variation: Gray Back 2,455 · White Back 5,446
SGC by variation: Gray Back 1,490 · White Back 1,637
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.
Find this card
Search T206 Cards Find on eBay
As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, T206Cards.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
More Boston Red Sox cards
- Grady Hatton
- Tom Brewer
- Frank Sullivan
- Norm Zauchin
- George Susce
- Boston Red Sox Team
- Jackie Jensen
- Willard Nixon
- Jim Piersall
- Sammy White
- Billy Klaus
- Mickey Vernon
- Billy Goodman
- Bob Porterfield
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1956 Topps Ted Williams card?
It is card #5 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 Boston Red Sox player.
Does the 1956 Topps Ted Williams 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 Ted Williams 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.