1976 Topps Star Trek: A Collector's Guide

The first color Star Trek cards in America, from all three seasons of the original series.

By 1976, Star Trek had been off the air for seven years, but reruns had turned it into a phenomenon. Topps responded with an 88-card set of color photos from the original series, plus 22 stickers. It was the first American Star Trek set since Leaf's scarce 1967 issue, and the first in color. Today it's the most accessible way to collect the original crew on vintage cardboard, and a set with some real condition challenges at the top.

The Set at a Glance

• Issuer: Topps.

• Cards: 88 standard-size cards.

• Stickers: 22, one per pack.

• Packs: Five cards, one sticker and a piece of gum.

• Fronts: Color photos from all three seasons of the original series, with captions, a yellow Enterprise icon and white borders.

• Backs: A "Captain's Log" heading, a description of the photo, the card number and copyright text. Many backs name the episode.

The Stickers

The 22 stickers each show a captioned character photo with a green, yellow or orange border on a black, galactic background. Stickers often show roller marks and gum stains on the back, so clean examples are worth a premium.

The Key Cards

• #3 Dr. McCoy. PSA's profile of the set calls it the most important card, and high-grade copies are rare.

• #6 Lt. Uhura, another tough card in top condition.

• #1 and #88, the first and last cards, hard to find flawless.

• Cards featuring Kirk and Spock, the stars collectors want first.

One curiosity: Sulu doesn't get a card of his own in the set, a gap Trek fans have noticed for decades.

Why the Keys Are Tough

The cards were printed on 132-card sheets, so some cards appeared once and some twice. That's likely why some cards are scarcer than others, though the print-run details aren't fully confirmed. Many of the key cards also sat on the edge of the sheet. Edge positions caused:

• Off-centering, sometimes severe.

• Blue print lines along the edges.

• Other print defects, which are common across the set.

That combination of edge positions and print defects is why high-grade copies of #3 McCoy and other keys are so scarce.

Condition Issues to Inspect

• Centering, especially on the key cards.

• Print lines and defects on the photo fronts.

• White border wear, which shows chips and corner touches clearly.

• Gum stains, especially on stickers.

• Sticker roller marks on the back.

Building the Set

It's achievable. Unlike the 1967 Leaf set, the 1976 Topps set is relatively easy to find, which makes a complete set a realistic goal.

Hunt condition on the keys. The challenge is finding well-centered, print-clean copies of #3, #6, #1 and #88. Buy those first, and fill the rest of the set as nice copies turn up.

Include the stickers. A complete set with all 22 stickers is a satisfying package, and stickers are where gum stains and roller marks hurt the most.

Grade selectively. High-grade keys are the clear grading candidates. Most commons can stay raw.

The Star Trek Card Timeline

• 1967 Leaf: The first Star Trek cards, black-and-white and scarce.

• 1976 Topps: The first color set, from the original series.

• 1979 Topps: Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the first set based on the films.

Many collectors build the Leaf and 1976 Topps sets together as the core of a vintage Star Trek collection.

Storage and Display

Standard sleeves and toploaders fit the cards. Keep stickers in sleeves that don't press on the surface. For display, a frame with the main crew cards makes a classic Trek piece.

Researching Star Trek Card Prices

Prices in this set depend heavily on centering and print quality, so compare graded sales with graded sales and raw with raw. The key cards, especially #3 McCoy, show the largest gap between typical and high-grade copies. Unopened packs and boxes are also collected, and sealed material has drawn steady interest from Trek fans.

Who Collects Vintage Star Trek

Star Trek has one of the most loyal fan bases in entertainment, and every new series brings in fans who work back to the original crew. For those collectors, the 1976 set is the most practical way to own vintage cards of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest. Character cards of the main crew sell fastest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cards are in the 1976 Topps Star Trek set?

Eighty-eight cards plus 22 stickers.

What is the key card in the 1976 Topps Star Trek set?

Card #3, Dr. McCoy, is generally considered the most important card, and high-grade copies are rare.

Is there a Sulu card in the 1976 Topps Star Trek set?

No. Sulu doesn't have his own card in the set.

Was 1976 Topps the first Star Trek card set?

No. Leaf issued the first Star Trek cards in 1967. The 1976 Topps set was the first in color.

Are 1976 Topps Star Trek cards rare?

Not in average condition. The set is readily available, but well-centered, print-clean copies of the key cards are genuinely scarce.

Were there gum and stickers in the 1976 packs?

Yes. Each pack held five cards, one sticker and a piece of gum, which is why gum stains are common on stickers.

Shop Vintage Star Trek at Crafted TCG

Browse 1976 Topps Star Trek cards and stickers at Crafted TCG. Every listing shows the front and back so you can check centering and print quality.