Buzz Break: 2025 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Proofs

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The pack: 2025 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs 
Where to buy: Click here (these are box-toppers in Pop Century boxes)

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

Cards per box: 2 (yes, it's two ... there's a typo on the pack that they didn't fix that since these are box-toppers)
Base set completion: 
N/A
Duplicates: 0

Inserts/short-prints: 2 (all in gallery below)
Leaf Metal Pop Century Autographs Diagonal Shimmer Pre-production Proof (1) – Zoe Saldaña (1/1)
Leaf Metal Pop Century Autographs Clear Orange Pre-production Proof (1) – Henry Winkler (1/1)

What’s Buzz-worthy: Both stars here are tied to iconic roles and franchises -- Happy Days and The Waterboy for Winkler (among many others) and then Star Trek, Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy for Saldaña (among others) -- and that makes this pack a winner across a few generations and genres. Not all packs are made like this from releases like this -- there are a lot of who's who and the occasional "Who?" just because a good mix and the economics of product-building need that, too, when it comes to autographs. Both names here can be found on other cards over the years but this was a solid pack. ... What are these? As noted last time, this year's Pop Century proof packs have a different twist to them as they arrive with top-loaded cards -- and sometimes can have printing plates -- and they're only found inside the actual boxes of Pop Century as box-toppers along with the hits in those far-pricier boxes. My cost on a pack? About $10 -- and for a pair of 1/1s every time I'll still do that. In past years, these were issued as bonuses with box buys and that meant they could be/would be stockpiled and sold on their own in lots. ... The checklist is pretty strong but also pretty deep, so there will be hits and there will be misses but at least with two per pack it might be (in theory) a little harder to have a whiff pack vs. a decent one. I'm fine with these at this price with everything a 1/1 for its particular color or texture. You'll see a few more breaks here for sure from my new lot ... but I'm getting close to the end of them.

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Product Grade: A+ (plates improve this one, though being box-toppers makes them harder to find in lots)
Lot Grade: A
Fun Grade: A

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