Cards That Should Never Be Bought Unless Graded

frankhardy

What are the cards that should NEVER be bought unless graded by PSA (or maybe SGC, GAI or (gulp) Beckett)? I'm sure y'all can think of more than I can.

Off the top of my head -

The "Big Three" in T206
Any vintage Babe Ruth (especially Goudey's)
1952 Topps Mantle
1951 Bowman Mantle
1963 Topps Rose
1986 Fleer Michael Jordan


That's a start!

Allen

pretty much any card of any value has been counterfeited. Just look on ebay.

ranger63

i have seen a bunch of 51 mays counterfeits!

Stone193

Here's one that goes way back...in the late 80's with the boom production, the Mattingly RC 84D was hot; some say it "propelled" the RC craze. Next thing ya know, we are hearing of couterfeits and everybody panicked. We had to do a lot of schoolin, real fast, to get up to speed with the sharks and the thieves!
your friend
Mike

milbroco

I have an old copy of the counterfeit detecting book that came out several years ago and would you beleive there are counterfeit 1978 Mario Soto rookie cards. I will check when I get home to list a few other "noteable" counterfeits from the book.

pandrews

1984 Fleer Update

JERO

I'm afreaid to jump in with th 33 goudey sport kings since there are fakes that look real on ebay. Can anyone send me a link on how to detect reprints on this set? I'm quite leary buying really anything raw anymore due to trimming rejects from PSA. However, I may add that I genuinely think PSA is wrong on some "evid of trimmed" cards. They are a bit over cautious it seems, by keeping an eye on the boards and related messages.

JERO

Stone193

<< <i>counterfeit 1978 Mario Soto rookie cards >>


Bob
I have a 1992 edition - not sure if this is the first but they list a 79T Pedro Guerrero! Yah, like that is a card on everyone's wantlist.
Having said that, being an old Dodger fan, Pedro was an outstanding utility player who for 15 seasons retired with a 300 BA, 215 HR's and a 480 SLG! Not bad for someone that many have never heard of.
You probably have a different edition than I, since Soto is not in mine. So bring on the surprises!
your friend
Mike

Cubfan

Any cards that were obtained by the seller after the death of a close relative (grandfather, etc.). Especially if the seller isnt a card expert and isnt sure of the value .

frankhardy

Keith,

You are SO right!


Mike,

I remember the 84 Donruss Mattingly. I started to mention it. How do you tell the difference. I have a couple of raw ones.


milbroco,

Mario Soto RC? You have got to be kidding me! That is hilarious! No, that's scary!


I forgot about 84 Fleer Updates. I will say that these days, some of the high end premium cards of today may be a little harder to counterfeit. But then again, technology is more readily available to everyday people, so that modern cards may be counterfeited also.

easttexascardsandgames

Bobby Orr Rookie
Wayne Gretzky Rookie
Patrick Roy Rookie

Are 3 not mentioned that came to mind.

Stone193

<< <i>How do you tell the difference >>


Frank
There are some subtle differences about card stock and gloss but the best and easiest way is to look at the Donruss logo next to the 84 in the lower right corner. The black box with the fancy D will turn to dots under a lens and the Donruss written in the box is hard to distinguish under magnification compared to the real one. Plus the 84 will not be as clear and crisp since the 84 is photo dots and you are taking a photo of a photo which makes more little dots - thus less clear under mag.



Notice how solid the black box is on the genuine - the original is solid ink and not photo dots - when you do a cheap copy, the solid ink will turn to photo dots. Notice, also, you can't make out the uss in donruss.

your friend
Mike
edit: add scan

softparade

Stone, that is amazing. Did you obtain the fake at any time that made you aware?

Stone193

<< <i>Stone, that is amazing. Did you obtain the fake at any time that made you aware? >>


Soft
No, we were pulling ours from packs - a shop owner that I hung out with all the time bought some from a guy who had a boatload which afterward made him think. But, he let it go - a couple of years later it came out and he checked the one he had left and it was as a fake! Back then the Matty was going for some pretty good money. He framed it, so people could see it. We don't realize how lucky we are today to have the internet and many pubs to help us.
your friend
Mike

DataDriven05

85 McGwire, 84 Elway and Marino also come to mind. For some reason the 76 Walter Payton comes to mind as well.


May I ask what is the title of that book you guys are referring to and do they still make (update) it today?

Chris

milbroco

OK Here is a list from the Sportscard Counterfeit Detector book that have been counterfeited in the past:

1972 Bobby Bonds
1972 Ron Cey
1975 Jim Palmer
1976 Steve Garvey
1978 Gary Carter
1978 Jack Morris
1978 Mario Soto
1979 Pedro Guerrero
1980 Mike Scott
1980 Rick Sutcliffe
1985 Donruss Eric Davis
1986 Donruss Cecil Fielder
1987 Fleer Ruben Sierra
1989 Hoops Pistons Team Card

Quite a list if you ask me. Original cards may total $10.00.

I have the 1993 edition of this book. If anyone has a card that may be questionable, just let me know and I wil see if I can scan you the page on the card requested. The Michael Jordans have four types of counterfeits listed but additional have surfaced since then.

Thanks,

Bob

Stone193

<< <i> have the 1993 edition of this book. If anyone has a card that may be questionable >>


Bob
And I have the 1992 edition also which I believe was the first - Lemke stopped printing it due to lack of interest and cost if memory serves. He can always be contacted via lemkeb@krause.com or (715) 445-4087 ext. 242. I emailed him once about the standard catalog and he did email me back. He may be one of the most knowledgeable dudes on the planet!
title: Sportscard Counterfeit Detector by Bob Lemke, Krause Publication

your friend
Mike

ctsoxfan

I believe there are 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson counterfeits out there also.

WinPitcher

Back in the early 80's the 63 Rose rookie was counterfieted and at one time even those stamped counterfiet demanded a premium.

besides the 52 mantle I think the 63 Rose was among those that were counterfieted.

wlf3

79-80 OPC Wayne Gretzky

Stone193

<< <i>I believe there are 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson counterfeits out there also. >>


ct
Very much so - it is listed in the 92 Detector guide - the ez way to detect is to put you loop on the A's in the banner on the bottom of the card - the outline of the A should stay a dark line - if it turns to photo dots - well - ya got yo self a genuine fake.
your friend
Mike

jrdolan

The first couple girls I went out with weren't graded ... In fact, they didn't have professional grading back then. Now I only go with PSA 8 or higher.

Stone193

<< <i>The first couple girls I went out with weren't graded >>

gameusedhoop

88 OPC Brett Hull were counterfeited also, just about 1990-1992 sometime, I seem to remeber that the real ones have a yellow dot in the pin head that holds his nameplate on the card.

DaBigHurt

1990 Topps NNOF Frank Thomas. There are a ton of raw copies that are obvious counterfeits being sold on Ebay at the rate of once every week or two by the same group of people.

metsfan

1986-87 Fleer basketball:Barkley,Karl Malone,and probably a few others.