CSG Featured Card of the Month: 1968 Topps #247 Johnny Bench/Ron Tompkins

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Sport: Baseball

Set: 1968 Topps

Card: #247 Johnny Bench/Ron Tompkins

What makes it special? This is the rookie card for Johnny Bench, who spent his entire pro career (1967-1983) with the Cincinnati Reds. He helped the team win two World Series, was a 14-time All Star and earned a place in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. He shares the card with Ron Tompkins, whose career statistics are decidedly less illustrious, winding down with an 0-2 season for the Chicago Cubs in 1971.

Did you know? Many consider Bench to be the greatest catcher of all-time, and we are honoring him this month because his birth date was December 7, 1947. He won 10 Gold Gloves and set a record (at the time) for home runs by any catcher: 389.

Total graded by CSG: CSG has graded 48 examples of this card as of late November 2021.

CSG median grade: CSG 4

CSG highest graded: CSG has certified one as CSG 8 and another as CSG 7.5 as of late November 2021.

Sales highlights: An example graded CSG 7 realized $330 through eBay in September 2021, while an example graded CSG 2.5 realized $72 that same month. A CSG 4.5 example was listed on eBay in late November for $300 or best offer.

CSG Registry: This card is part of this company set: 1968 Topps, which has two competitors. The CSG Registry also has a Player Set for Johnny Bench, which has three competitors, including Carte's Cards by toddcarte, who has a nice example graded CSG 6.5.