In this article, we will explore the 1962 Topps Civil War News trading cards set. We’ll explore the history of this set, look at values, view the checklist, and more.
Collectible trading cards are usually made to celebrate sports players or Superheroes, but occasionally a set comes along that somewhat defies all logic. This is especially true when the card set in question contains images that are more than just a little bit graphic in the images that they depict. Most non-sports card sets are very much PG in nature, since they are generally aimed at kids, but the 1962 Topps Civil War News trading cards broke out of that mold in what many people consider to be the worst way possible.f
The controversy surrounding the Topps Civil War News trading cards had more to do with the way in which the content was delivered rather than the subject matter. After all, kids learn all about the Civil War in school, but not usually like the way this card set chose to show it. The images on the front of the cards were extremely bloody and gory. This was not actually the first card set to focus on war instead of sports, as Gum Inc. had delivered a set called the Horrors of War back in 1938.
What the Cards Look Like
The images on the front of the Civil War News trading cards were art pieces that showed rather graphic scenes from the Civil War.
The back of the cards delivered a story to the scene that was delivered in a way that was like a report found in a newspaper. The way in which the story was delivered depended on the card, as they were often done in a point of view style. This meant that some of the cards had a viewpoint slanted towards the North, while others were very much in favor of the South.
1962 Civil War News Confederate Money
Another feature of the 1962 Topps Civil War News set was what came with the cards.
Rather than just the standard piece of gum that most card sets usually feature, this set came with replica Confederate money folded in between the cards. The replica currency was found in everything from one dollar bills all the way up to one thousand dollars.
They, of course, had no real monetary value, but that cannot be said for today, as this is a set that is very much in demand with history fans and card collectors looking for a set that is very different from the rest.
Value of 1962 Topps Civil War News Trading Cards
Anyone looking to own this set is likely to have a very difficult time finding a complete lot. The cards retain a very high value, but are usually sold at auction as singles. As is the case with other types of cards, the 1962 Topps Civil War News trading cards vary in price depending on the condition of the card and how rare it is in comparison to other cards in the set. If you are a collector looking for something very different, albeit a little gory, this might very well be the set for you.
Ungraded 1962 Civil War News Trading Cards
So let’s take a look at the values of ungraded Civil War News trading cards:
- Common Cards: $4-8
- Card #1: $10-20
- Card #2: #6-14
- Checklist Marked: $5-15
- Checklist Unmarked: $40-70
PSA Graded Common Cards
The majority of the common cards that are professionally graded by PSA will be more valuable. Keep in mind that these are book values and in many cases, higher grades will go for more. This is due to demand:
- PSA 7 (NM): $18
- PSA 8 (NM-MT): $50
- PSA 9 (Mint): $150
Card #1 – PSA Graded
Card #1 is titled “The Angry Man”. Here is the book value on this card. Again, actual prices will vary based on supply and demand.
- PSA 7 (NM): $50
- PSA 8 (NM-MT): $100
- PSA 9 (Mint): $425
Card #2 – PSA Graded
The second card in the set is titled “President Jeff Davis”.
- PSA 7 (NM): $30
- PSA 8 (NM-MT): $75
- PSA 9 (Mint): $315
PSA Graded Checklist (Card #88)
These prices are assuming that the checklist is unmarked. If it is marked, then the price would be worth a little more than a third of the price.
- PSA 7 (NM): $75
- PSA 8 (NM-MT): $150
- PSA 9 (Mint): $450
1962 Topps Civil War News Trading Cards Checklist
Here is a listing of each card in order by number. In addition to the card’s number, you’ll also see the title of the card:
1 The Angry Man
2 President Jeff Davis
3 The War Starts
4 Rebel Power
5 Exploding Fury
6 Pulled to Safety
7 Death at Sea
8 Destructive Blow
9 Savages Attack
10 Destruction at Sea
11 Attack
12 Bloody Combat
13 Dying Effort
14 Fight to the Finish
15 Nature’s Fury
16 Direct hit
17 The Flaming Raft
18 Death to the Enemy
19 Pushed to His Doom
20 Death Fall
21 Painful Death
22 Wave of Death
23 Crushed by Wheels
24 After the Battle
25 Hanging the Spy
26 Messenger of Death
27 Massacre
28 The Cannon Roars
29 Bridge of Doom
30 Charging the Bullets
31 Terror of the Sea
32 Death Struggle
33 Fight for Survival
34 Wall of Corpses
35 Gasping for Air
36 Midnight Raid
37 Death Barges in
38 General Grant
39 General Lee
40 Bullets of Death
41 Protecting His Family
42 The Battle Continues
43 Costly Mistake
44 Shot to Death
45 The Riverboat Explodes
46 Vicious Attack
47 Death Battle
48 Smashing the Enemy
49 The Explosion
50 Stolen Secrets
51 Horse Thieves
52 Friendly Enemies
53 Train of Doom
54 A Horseman Falls
55 The Silent Drum
56 Burst of Fire
57 Hand to Hand Combat
58 Angel of Mercy
59 Submarine Attack
60 Suicide Charge
61 The Flaming Forest
62 The General Dies
63 Ambushed
64 Jaws of Death
65 Flaming Death
66 Victim of the War
67 Deadly Duel
68 The Will to Win
69 Death in the Water
70 The Sniper
71 No Escape
72 The Cannon’s Victim
73 Through the Swamp
74 Fighting for Victory
75 The Family Flees
76 Blazing Cannon
77 Trapped
78 Sudden Attack
79 Council of War
80 City in Flames
81 Deadly Defense
82 Destroying the Rails
83 The Looters
84 Deadly Arrows
85 Attacked from Behind
86 Dynamite Victim
87 The War Ends
88 Checklist
Civil War News Confederate Currency Checklist
Each pack was also sold with one folded Confederate bill. There were 17 bills in total:
$1 Bill Type One
$1 Bill Type Two
$2 Bill Type One
$2 Bill Type Two
$5 Bill Type One
$5 Bill Type Two
$5 Bill Type Three
$10 Bill Type One
$10 Bill Type Two
$20 Bill – Type One
$20 Bill Type Two
$20 Bill Type Three
$50 Bill Type One
$50 Bill Type Two
$100 Bill Type One
$500 Bill Type One
$1000 Bill Type One
Key Cards
Here are the key 1962 Civil War News trading cards to include in your set:
1 The Angry Man
2 President Jeff Davis
7 Death at Sea
8 Destructive Blow
11 Attack
12 Bloody Combat
24 After the Battle
25 Hanging the Spy
32 Death Struggle
46 Vicious Attack
49 The Explosion
74 Fighting for Victory
80 City in Flames
88 Checklist
Key Confederate Currency Notes
Although not always collected as part of the set, the confederate currency is much rarer than the cards themselves. Here are the rarer notes to find:
Currency $20 No Serial Number
Currency $50 Serial #59204
Currency $1 Serial #3691
Currency $20 Serial #131760
Currency $5 Serial #24497
What Next?
If you enjoyed this set, you should also check out these sets as well:
- 1960 Topps Funny Valentines A Series
- 1962 Topps Mars Attacks
If you’re looking to buy Civil War News trading cards, eBay has a ton for sale.
I’m also a buyer. Sell your 1962 Civil War News trading cards to Collectible Resource.