2012 Topps Mike Trout #448 (Second Year Card)
Mike Trout (also featuring Torii Hunter and Mark Trumbo) · Topps · Base Card / Second Year Card
Player
Mike Trout (also featuring Torii Hunter and Mark Trumbo)
Set
2012 Topps Series 2
Year
2012
Card #
#448
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) - Centering is slightly heavy on the right side; corners appear sharp but the bottom left shows minor white touching.
Category
Base Card / Second Year Card
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Strong. Mike Trout is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Early career cards from flagship Topps sets remain highly liquid and desirable for 'run' collectors.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $25-35, PSA 9: $50-65, PSA 10: $250-300
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies range from $18 to $22. PSA 10 copies have recently settled around $280. PSA 9 copies frequently sell between $55 and $65.
Description
This 2012 Topps Series 2 card features legendary outfielder Mike Trout in his second year of Topps flagship. The horizontal design showcases a candid moment of dugout celebration with teammates Torii Hunter and Mark Trumbo. The card features the classic 2012 Topps red-bordered nameplate with the Angels logo at the top left and Trout's name in bold. The surface has a high-gloss finish typical of the era.
Key Features
Crucial early-career Mike Trout card. Known as his 'Second Year' card, which often serves as a more affordable alternative to his iconic 2011 Update rookie. Features 'The Millville Meteor' in his first full All-Star and MVP-caliber season.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The card displays the correct pixelation pattern for 2012 Topps printing and the card stock thickness is consistent with the era. Not widely faked compared to the 2011 Update RC, but reprints exist; the 'Topps' logo should have a crisp, slightly raised ink feel.
Flaws to Note
The most common flaw for this set is centering; this specific example looks roughly 60/40 favored toward the right edge. Minor edge chipping is common on the red interior borders, and white corner wear is visible on the bottom edge near the photo corner.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the primary market for high-volume sales. COMC is excellent for mid-grade base cards to avoid shipping logistics. Facebook 'Mike Trout' collector groups often yield the best prices from dedicated fans.
Selling Tips
Do not grade unless you are certain it is a PSA 10 candidate, as the jump from PSA 9 to 10 is massive ($200+ difference) while PSA 8/9 values barely cover the cost of grading. List with clear photos of all four corners and the back.