We have made the decision to break up an EXTRAORDINARY 1963 Topps set - the #4 Master Set on the PSA Set Registry. The 1963 set is a particularly difficult set to complete in high grade due to Topps' poor quality control in the era which resulted in considerable print defects. The large and colorful border at the bottom simultaneously lends a distinctive design element and a condition challenge, as they are extremely susceptible to chipping and wear. 

The example offered here is card #312, Houston Colt .45s, graded MINT 9. Before becoming the Astros in 1965, the expansion team which started playing in Houston in 1962 was known as the Colt .45s. The 1963 team played their home games in Colt Stadium, and finished the season 66-96, 9th place in a 10-team National League. Of the top two players in WAR for the team, two of them were named Hal, a feat almost certainly never accomplished by another team in baseball history.

The team's 1963 Topps card has a yellow and green background behind the team photo. The one offered here has four great corners and edges. Centering is slightly north on the canvas, but the picture is clear which isn't always the case with the team cards from this set. Some light snow in the green portion of the background and a little foxing on the back keep this card from grading at a 10.

Only 1 example graded by PSA has ever received a higher grade than the MINT 9 offered here.