Can y'all tell if this Pete Rose Rookie is authentic or real??

thenavarro · February 13, 2008 10:34AM

I am looking for an affordable, but presentable 1963 Pete Rose Rookie card to send off to have him sign. I found this one, but I am unsure how to determine if it is a counterfeit or an authentic card. Can any of you experts opine as to whether this is an authentic or counterfeit and why? The pen mark on the back doesn’t concern me. Thanks,

Mike

bobsbbcards · February 13, 2008 10:38AM

Looks real to me.

bluemarlin · February 13, 2008 10:40AM

It's real.

thenavarro · February 13, 2008 10:45AM

Thanks guys, what is the defining factor of a counterfeit. I've read that one version of counterfeits have a black line around the portrait of Pete, what are some other telltale signs?

Thanks,

Mike

swartz1 · February 13, 2008 10:57AM

this text is staright out of the sportscard counterfeit detector book - the fake is easily distinguised by the naked eye through the appearance of a black outline around Rose's white cap. Conversley, the "C" on the cap which should have a black outline does not on the fake. Printed on much thinner stock than a real 63 card the printing from the other side of the counterfeit can be seen when the card is held to strong light. No light passes through a genuine 1963 topps card. According to contemporary press counts 10,000 of the 63 rose cards were printed but fewer than 200 were sold into the hobby before they were discovered and warnings issued.

helionaut · February 13, 2008 12:05PM

Looks real to me. Tough to say with a low-res image that looks like it's been disproportionately resized, but the cardboard looks normal, good gloss, and I'd have to think a counterfeit would've been handled a little better and not written on. It might not bother you, but don't forget to take the writing into account when pricing it.