The Starbucks Bugs Gift Cards Card Carrier Guide

What Is the Difference Between the 2003 Bugs 6009 and 6012?
Why Does the Same Card Have Different Sequence Numbers?

 "In Collecting Sometimes the Obvious is Skin Deep"

The Bugs Card

Various names used for the Bugs Card include:
o   Spring Bug Card
o   Summer Bug Card
o   Spring Bugs Card
o   Summer Bugs Card
o   Bugs Card
o   Spring Flowers Card

This is an actual email I received about these cards

----- Original Message ----
From:  xxxxxxx.com
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com
Sent: Saturday, October 7, 2006 9:28:48 AM 
Subject: Re: Question for item #29003******* - X2 Starbucks 2003 BUGS SET Gift Cards 60….
Dear Chris
I have purchase the "X2 Starbucks 2003 BUGS SET Gift Cards 6009 6012 USED"  ebay # 29003******* and after receiving both cards I'm puzzled to see there is absolutely no difference what so ever in the cards. I even examined the cards very closely. The only difference is the serial numbers. This should be different in any gift card. I think you grouping the identical card in your auctions are somewhat puzzling to me. You also said there is something different WHAT? I do expect an answer soon.

This person on is absolutely right! At first glance, there is no difference between the cards. BUT there is a difference that can ONLY be seen if you look "Skin Deep", but we will get to that later…

Now let's take a quick look at the 3 different Bugs including Bugs Japan Card:

©2003  6009 J109300
©2003  6012 J109300
©2003  6012 J109301 Valid only in Japan

The Faces or Fronts
At first glance all the card fronts look the same.  This is because even when you closely examine all 3 there is absolutely no difference. The faces of all three cards are all identical. All show an image of spring or summer in full bloom with caterpillars and other bugs having a feast in clod fraps.

The Back Sides:
With the exception of the "©2003  6012 J109301 Valid only in Japan " written entirely in Japanese, the remaining cards "©2003  6009 J109300" and "©2003  6012 J109300" are 100% identical even for the most canny eye. The secret pins on all three cards are covered by a silver scratch off coating and look as if they are all made from the same card manufacture. The same Starbucks logo is imposed in black against the white background on the front of the image.  This makes the logo a 3D effect and also identical in all three cards.

The back side of the cards

©2003  6009 J109300

©2003  6012 J109300

©2003  6012 J109301 Valid only in Japan

So what's different between 6009 and 6012?
The difference can be seen behind the card under the scratch off coating. The only way to verify this is to actually scratch off the coating. I have taken the liberty of doing this for you so you don't need to devalue your cards. In the following images you can clearly see the "microprint" in the 6009 version versus the normal size in the 6012. I think this is why in mid production there was a change in the process and why we have identical cards with two different starting number sequences.

Microprint Vs. Normal Print

Here's another example

So What's The Big Deal?
Answering this question depends on the level sophistication in detail and collecting experience you have. Basically, I do agree with both answers:

• I do agree for a beginning collector there are no difference and no big deal
• But for seasoned collectors these differences in production runs can be seen like night and day

About the Bug Carrier (AKA sleeves)

I refer to Card Carriers as Sleeves. I know other sellers on eBay refer to them as folders, holders, sleeves, boxes, tubes, felt sleeves, envelops and so on. I'm not aware of a single seller that uses the official term used by Starbucks - "Card Carriers". My official term is a sleeve, which means "Card Carrier".

I have only been able to find one variety ©2003 SKU J109304  for the U.S. version.  I've been told that there is also the Japanese version that has become Rare to Mage Rare.  I have never, however, been able to locate nor have I ever seen the Japanese Sleeve.  If I do locate the Japanese Sleeve, I will update this guide.

©2003 SKU J109304

I hope this will shed some light on some of the major differences I have found regarding the three production runs of the Bugs card. This guide was developed using various references to the cards that have been made available to the general public and is based on information I have researched and collected.  I am not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation in any way nor do I have any insider knowledge. If you know of any other production runs not mentioned here, please feel free to email me.

Respectfully,

Chris Goulis
Topriority

Copyright © 2006 Topriority
All Rights Reserved.

Starbucks, the Starbucks logo and Starbucks Card are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the Starbucks U.S Brands LLC.. No rights to these marks are claimed or implied "Topriority" is not in any way affiliated with Starbucks Corporation.

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