Buzz Break: 2020 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Prod. Proofs

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2020 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Cards per box: 3
Base set completion: 
N/A
Duplicates: 0

Inserts/short-prints: 3 (all in gallery below)
Clear Red Pre-production Proof (1) – Nina Dobrev (1/1)
Classic Roles Clear Red Pre-production Proof (1) – Anthony Rapp (1/1)
Heartbreakers Crystal Gold Pre-production Proof (1) – Alicia Silverstone (1/1)

 Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What’s Buzz-worthy: Popping the lid on this one was an odd experience as the top two cards were clears, meaning I could see all the way down to the bottom card to see a hint of some crystals ... nothing big but definitely a different ripping visual. What are these? Every card here is an encased 1/1  blank-backed autograph-free proof of the inked cards that arrived for this long-running non-sports franchise earlier this year. The first card I saw here is for Nina Dobrev of Degrassi: The Next Generation and The Vampire Diaries but I'll admit I wasn't all that familiar with her other than her name. My second card is of veteran actor Anthony Rapp with his role in Rent as "Mark Cohen" getting the spotlight on this card. You might also know him from Adventures in Babysitting, Dazed and Confused or Star Trek: Discovery. My final card is the A-lister of the box -- at least in that she's got her first autographs in years in 2020 Pop Century -- in 1990s icon Alicia Silverstone. Oddly, it looks like a small sliver of blue tape got into the slab or was stuck on the card before it was sealed. (I say that since it's not budging with some intense slaps to the case. It's just under the "RY" in the logo but actually blends into the photo here a little.) Not a huge deal but definitely a distraction that shouldn't be in there. ... These proof boxes can be hit and miss if you're breaking to sell and the prices seem oddly soft -- there are several 1/1s per subject -- but they are still rare cards and that makes the overall run of these boxes small, too. I like the range and variety of who you can find here and they are relatively affordable despite their scarcity. Last year, this one went a little further by guaranteeing an autographed slab in every box and those dried up fast but can still be found for a price that's higher than these. I didn't do any 2019s but I probably should have as I like a simple break where you know what you're getting. The only mystery is who.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A- (Silverstone the big one in this box to get it an A)
Fun Grade: B

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