Top 5 Additions of 2013

I'm giving in to the countdown urge once again.  This one will be short but sweet.  A pinch of high end, a dash of sentimental value, and a lot of cool new cards in the collection.  2013 was definitely a good year for my collection.

5) 1995 Kordell Stewart Action Packed RC

2013 marked the rebirth of my Kordell Stewart collection.  And by rebirth, I mean I started with the 20 or so cards that I treasured as a kid.  My astonishing collection of Collector's Choice and Topps flagship not withstanding, I added some great late 90's Kordell cards that I had drooled over in card shop showcases as a kid for literally pennies each.  This beauty came in my first trade on the blogosphere, so it has a little added significance in 2013.

4)2008 UD Premier Swatches Gold Jason Bay 2/20

I've always been a sucker for a nice patch card, even if I'm not crazy about game used cards in general.  This Bay beauty came courtesy of COMC for about $4.  I love love love Pirate patches that feature the old black jersey with red and yellow lettering, and this patch perfectly captures that. 

3) 2010 Topps Update Platinum 1/1 Aki Iwamura

This beauty checks in with a mix of value and sentimentality.  No, not whimsically reminiscing about the abomination that was Aki Iwamura's tenure in Pittsburgh.  This card came as part of a large lot that I purchased in March that included dozens of Topps Black cards, Silk cards, printing plates, and a 1/1 gem - all for less than $2 per card.

2) 2013 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor Tyler Glasnow /50

I've never been one for group breaks.  Or for buying high end prospect cards.  But I can't complain about pulling this beauty out of a group break a few months ago.  Glasnow should have a bright future for the Bucs, and the gold on gold is just absolutely stunning on this card.  I never would have shelled out the cash needed to add this card to my collection, but it's immediately become one of my highest value cards.  Not that that really matters, since I can't see it ever leaving my collection.

1) 2012 Fleer Retro Precious Gems Mario Lemieux /100

Ironically, my favorite card of 2013 isn't even a Pirate card.  Any regular reader of this blog knows how much I love 90's cardboard.  So I couldn't help but get giddy at Upper Deck's Fleer Retro releases.  This Lemieux looks amazing in person, and the Precious Metals cards certainly live up to their billing.

So there you have it - 2013 in a nutshell.  Quirky, unpredictable, and most definitely shiny.  Some great cards didn't make the cut, including some gorgeous vintage Clemente cards.  My collection grew leaps and bounds in the past year, but these five cards are the ones that will always scream "2013" to me.