Buzz Break: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Proofs

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

Cards per box: 1
Base set completion: 
N/A
Duplicates: 0

Inserts/short-prints: 1 (all in gallery below)
Pink Crystal Pop Century Signatures (unsigned) Pre-production Proof (1) – Ralph Macchio (1/1)

What’s Buzz-worthy: I got my hands on a few of these packs and instead of doing them all in one pop, I figured I'd spread them out over the coming weeks and it all starts off with a 1980s icon in my first rip, The Karate Kid himself. In past years, the proofs from Leaf's annual celebrity ink-fueled line Pop Century were released as slabbed cards and sometimes as 1/1 Proof autos, too, at a higher price per box. This year? One proof per pack in sealed top-loaders with a sticker and cert attached to both. At a glance on some cards that's a little distracting -- some are on clear plastic -- but ultimately the backs are all blank here along with the autograph spots. The price should be a little more friendly on these this year without slabs and ink but the lineup in Pop Century was as stacked as it gets so there should still be interest here as 1/1s, though there are many varieties per card with all the colors and textures, can sell well for names who are in obvious demand ... and maybe even for some you might not know. For me, these were bonus items with a purchase ... I'm not sure how a price tag attached would affect my feelfor these ... but a big name selling well might make pretty much any packs here a winner if you get lucky in a small lot. If not, you still land a 1/1 card that's semi-encased, though I definitely like the slabbed approach better. We'll see how I feel after ripping the rest of my packs but, overall, I like this approach as it's something that could trend affordable while remaining unique and something that could pique the interests of a lot of collectors out there with all of the various genres found here. There's potential.

--

Product Grade: A
Pack Grade: A-
Fun Grade: B+ (these were bonus items for me with a purchase -- not sure how a price tag would affect my reaction ... would depend on price)

--

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com