#01 Carl Yastrzemski 1965 Topps Embossed Gold Baseball Card

1965 Topps Embossed Baseball is an odd looking set. Featuring gold foil portraits, it is a large insert set intended to compliment the main 1965 Topps Baseball release.

The set has 72 cards, each measuring 2 1/8 by 3 1/2 inches. The cards are dominated with gold foil, something that was out there at the time. Not only do they have lots of foil, but the player portraits take the shine and are topped off with embossing. While the look is certainly different, many of the likenesses are, understandably, lacking. National League players have red backgrounds while American League cards use blue.

Card backs are extremely plain. A decorative rectangle at the bottom portion of the card has the card number and copyright info. That's it.

Due to the material used in making the cards, most collectors shouldn't be too picky about getting stellar condition cards. They're out there, but most have noticeable flaws. As a result, most of the set is extremely affordable. Only professionally graded and top condition cards go for large sums. Even then, it's reasonable given the era it comes from.

Key players on the 1965 Topps Embossed Baseball include Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron , Carl Yastrzemski , Joe Torre , Al Kaline , Don Drysdale , Jim Bunning , Bill Mazeroski , Richie Allen , Rocky Colavito , Harmon Killebrew , Ernie Banks , Bobby Richardson and The Great St. Luois Cardinal World Series MVP Winner Bob Gibson.