Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card: Which One It Is and How to Identify It

• 2018 Topps Series 2 (base) #700 (Topps): 700 Shohei Ohtani - Los Angeles Angels RC
• 2018 Topps Chrome #150 (Topps)

• Base card carries a full parallel run collectors check to identify special printings: the parallel run includes Rainbow Foil (1:10 packs), Gold (#/2,018), Vintage Stock (#/99), Independence Day (#/76) and Black (#/67).
• Chrome refractors show a rainbow shine versus flat base cards and say 'refractor' on the back: the refractor version displays a rainbow shine in comparison to the flat-finish base card.
• Refractor status is printed on the card back: the word 'refractor' is printed on the back of the card.

Topps Chrome 2018 refractor parallels for Ohtani include Purple (#/299), Blue (#/150), Green (#/99), Gold (#/50), Red (#/5), plus Wave, SuperFractor (1/1) and Printing Plates (1/1).

Base flagship rookie card is Topps Series 2 #700, not Series 1 (Series 1 only runs to #350); Topps Chrome uses a separate, smaller checklist so Ohtani's Chrome card number (150) differs from the flagship number (700).

• Card number and set on the back must match the listing above; "rookie card" is a specific card, not any early card of the player.
• Print quality: genuine cards have crisp text and a regular dot pattern under magnification; reprints and fakes blur, especially in small type.
• Stock and size: compare thickness, gloss and corners against a common card from the same set.
• Chrome and Prizm parallels carry a foil, color or serial-number mark that the base card lacks; the base card is the reference rookie unless the source says otherwise.
• Grading is a separate step; a slab authenticates and grades, and the grading guide explains what the number means.

Shoot the front flat, straight on, in daylight, with all four corners in frame, then the back so the card number and copyright line are readable. For chrome or foil cards, take a second front shot tilted under the light to show the finish. The app reads the player, set and number; the checks above confirm the version.