COLLECT. SPORTS. CARDS.Collector guide

Baseball collecting guide

Aaron Judge2017 Topps Chrome #169 · Refractor (standard image)

At #169 the photograph and the finish are two separate identification steps.

Judge’s standard-image Chrome Refractor shows him catching at the outfield wall. A running photograph also carries #169. Choosing between those images is the first step. Determining whether the copy has the ordinary Refractor finish is the second.

Choose the photograph first

Beckett’s image gallery places the catch at the wall in the base-image position and the running picture in the variation position. PSA’s master checklist distinguishes catching-Refractor and running-Refractor at the same number. Save the photo description along with the year, set and number in a collection record. This prevents a search for all Judge Refractors from quietly including the alternate pose. 1 2 3

The player behind the card

The photograph shows Judge at the wall, but the lasting number from his 2017 season came at the plate: 52 home runs. That contrast gives the catching-image Refractor a reason to stand on its own. 6

The card’s season

2017 · New York Yankees

MLB regular season

155 games · 154 hits in 542 at-bats, 52 HR. 6

Season snapshot · Nov 4, 2026

2026 · New York Yankees

MLB regular season

66 games · 57 hits in 237 at-bats, 18 HR. 6

Then choose the finish

The same checklist names other finishes for the catching photograph, including Pink, Prism and Sepia Refractors. This guide concerns the ordinary Refractor in the catching image. In particular, “Prism Refractor” is a different catalog entry. Ask for an unobstructed front image in neutral light and an angled view of the surface if a listing uses only the word Chrome. 2

Match the sale to the photograph

PSA’s front scan for certificate 89411071 shows Judge reaching at the wall, and the PSA 10 holder identifies the catching Refractor. The photograph in Fanatics lot WA247/1243 shows the same pose on a different PSA 10 copy, certificate 159223974. That auction closed on October 11, 2026, at $1,050 including buyer’s premium. When a listing title gives only the finish, the pictured card and certificate can settle the image question. 4 5

Documented prices

PSA estimate

$923 USD · PSA 10

Reference recorded Nov 4, 2026 for this grade.

View the PSA reference

The front of PSA certificate 89411071 shows the standard catching-at-wall photograph.

Fanatics Collect · Oct 11, 2026

$1,050 USD · PSA 10

Includes buyer’s premium.

The sold card shows Judge reaching at the outfield wall. Its PSA certificate number is 159223974.

View the sold lot

The standard catching-at-wall photograph must match; the alternate running photograph also uses #169.

Current eBay Listings

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Current asking prices are marketplace listings, not verified sales or appraisals.

Finding current exact-match listings…

See all current listings on eBay →

Collector questions

What distinguishes the target from the photo variation?

Look for Judge catching at the wall. The running image is the variation. Then confirm the ordinary Refractor finish separately.

Can the word Refractor on a label settle everything?

It identifies a finish. The #169 checklist has multiple images, so check the actual card photograph as well.

Sources

  1. Beckett, 2017 Chrome photo variation gallery
  2. PSA, Judge master checklist by image and finish
  3. BaseballCardPedia, 2017 Topps Chrome variations checklist
  4. PSA, exact card and grade reference
  5. Fanatics Collect, 2017 Topps Chrome Refractor Aaron Judge ROOKIE #169 PSA 10 GEM MINT
  6. MLB · regular-season statistics