2018 Topps Chrome Update An International Affair #IA-SO Shohei Ohtani, TAG 9
- Player
- Shohei Ohtani, P/DH, Los Angeles Angels
- Set
- 2018 Topps Chrome Update
- Card #
- IA-SO
- Insert
- An International Affair insert
- Grader
- TAG
- Grade
- 9 Mint
- Cert #
- U8226764
- TAG pop
- 6 Mint 9s out of 15 graded
- Est. value (Oct 2026)
- ~$160–$195 (graded 9s around $190–$200)
- Status
- Personal collection, not for sale
Number ten in my personal collection: Shohei Ohtani's An International Affair card from 2018 Topps Chrome Update, #IA-SO, graded a 9 Mint by TAG.
The card
An International Affair was a Chrome Update insert for the big names born outside the U.S. Ohtani's is all chrome: him in the red Angels jersey, bat back, over a blue hexagon background that throws rainbow light when you tilt it. The insert name runs across the bottom with a compass-style logo, and JAPAN sits under his name.
Why it matters
This is from Ohtani's rookie season with the Angels, the year he showed everyone that pitching and hitting at the same time in the majors was actually possible. Chrome cards from that first year are the ones collectors chase.
The grade
TAG grades with computer imaging and posts a full report for every card, with close-ups of the corners, edges and surface. This one came back a 9 Mint. The report flags one small spot on the back edges and nothing on the corners or surface. As of October 2026 TAG has graded 15 of this card and six got a 9. You can see the whole report at my.taggrading.com.
Photos are from TAG's grading report.
