-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 R7P6HoyQWmXKlRXtkpf9ApPhAzNw/laMjHQGSKnWLlMGb+E91c+KbYW/ZGuNGMrn
 kbdcwo5GAAEDy8955MpuwQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000812076-04-000010.txt : 20040122
<SEC-HEADER>0000812076-04-000010.hdr.sgml : 20040122
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040122141428
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000812076-04-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040122

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOYUM RONALD L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001210154

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15817
		FILM NUMBER:		04537183

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TOPPS CO. INC
		STREET 2:		ONE WHITEHALL STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOPPS CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000812076
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMERCIAL PRINTING [2750]
		IRS NUMBER:				112849283
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE WHITEHALL STREET
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004-2109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2123760300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE WHITEHALL ST
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10004
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-14</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000812076</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TOPPS CO INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TOPP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001210154</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BOYUM RONALD L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President&amp;GM Confection</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.5625</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15400</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
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            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.5625</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11000</value>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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            </ownershipNature>
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    </nonDerivativeTable>

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            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            </exerciseDate>
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            </expirationDate>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                    <value>91501</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
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                <value>2004-01-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.5625</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-03-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>5400</value>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.5625</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-03-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-03-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>85101</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        </derivativeTransaction>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.5625</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1378</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.5625</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-03-16</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-03-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1378</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>83723</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Ronald L. Boyum</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----