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Spotting Counterfeit Cards
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Published: August 30, 2006
Counterfeit Cards
In the art world, reproductions of famous classic works are sometimes allowed. They, however, must be commissioned through licensure to certain artists, but reproduction is nonetheless accepted in the art world. At the same time, an original work of art always surpasses a reproduction because of its authenticity - it is, after all, the first, the penultimate.
Because there is so much money to be made off of originals and reproductions, art is not without its fakes. Counterfeit art, just like counterfeit money or jewelry, undermines the preciousness and integrity of the authentic work and creates more investigative duties for dealers, officials, and law enforcement.
Sports cards have succumbed to the same situation as art. Because sports cards are such precious collectibles, like a Monet or a Picasso, individuals create counterfeit cards based on originals. Counterfeiting is just one more thing to beware, when authenticating, buying, or selling sports cards.
There are some key characteristics to look for in counterfeit cards: first, the cards must be the right thickness. Counterfeit cards tend to be too thick because they have been produced on cardboard paper. Real sports cards are printed on card paper - there is a big difference in thickness and texture. Second, the color-printing technique on counterfeit cards is not usually the best quality. Counterfeit cards tend to have a blurriness due to poor dot matrix overlaying; so, clarity should be considered. Third, due to poor color-printing, a second-fold problem occurs in darkness. The color loses vibrancy, as well as clarity, and the imaging comes out darker on counterfeit cards. Fourth, darkness purports poor legibility on counterfeit cards, usually on the logo. If the logo is unreadable, then the card is a fake. And last, always beware of autographs. All autographs must be authenticated according to date, handwriting technique, and contractual obligations. For example, if the card is of a series when the particular player featured was contracted to withhold autographing (as was the case with Michael Jordan once),
then it is a counterfeit card.
Aside from counterfeit cards, counterfeit memorabilia has had a devastating effect on the world of collectibles. A report issued in early 2000 details the recovery in a major FBI/IRS sting. The sting was named Operation Bullpen and had been going on since 1997. Over ten million dollars in counterfeit sports and celebrity memorabilia was confiscated. This included counterfeit cards along with clothing, autographed photos, sports equipment, and other supposedly valuable items. The counterfeit cards would have made their way to mainstream channels and directly to consumers, the same as all counterfeit memorabilia does, fleecing the the public for millions at a time.
Sports card collecting should be a personal pleasure on many levels, as a professional activity and an individual hobby. The love that collectors have for the artifacts of their idols and sports should not be compromised for one moment by counterfeit cards. All collectors, dealers, and aficionados should be even more diligent without losing their zeal for what they do. One organization that does professional grading/authentication is PSA (Professional Sports Authenticators). They can help with uncovering counterfeit cards. I suggest seeking them out and organizations like them, if you are ever unsure about your trading cards. Just because counterfeiters steal a player's image doesn't mean we should let them steal our joy.
In the art world, reproductions of famous classic works are sometimes allowed. They, however, must be commissioned through licensure to certain artists, but reproduction is nonetheless accepted in the art world. At the same time, an original work of art always surpasses a reproduction because of its authenticity - it is, after all, the first, the penultimate.
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Sports cards have succumbed to the same situation as art. Because sports cards are such precious collectibles, like a Monet or a Picasso, individuals create counterfeit cards based on originals. Counterfeiting is just one more thing to beware, when authenticating, buying, or selling sports cards.
There are some key characteristics to look for in counterfeit cards: first, the cards must be the right thickness. Counterfeit cards tend to be too thick because they have been produced on cardboard paper. Real sports cards are printed on card paper - there is a big difference in thickness and texture. Second, the color-printing technique on counterfeit cards is not usually the best quality. Counterfeit cards tend to have a blurriness due to poor dot matrix overlaying; so, clarity should be considered. Third, due to poor color-printing, a second-fold problem occurs in darkness. The color loses vibrancy, as well as clarity, and the imaging comes out darker on counterfeit cards. Fourth, darkness purports poor legibility on counterfeit cards, usually on the logo. If the logo is unreadable, then the card is a fake. And last, always beware of autographs. All autographs must be authenticated according to date, handwriting technique, and contractual obligations. For example, if the card is of a series when the particular player featured was contracted to withhold autographing (as was the case with Michael Jordan once),
then it is a counterfeit card.
Aside from counterfeit cards, counterfeit memorabilia has had a devastating effect on the world of collectibles. A report issued in early 2000 details the recovery in a major FBI/IRS sting. The sting was named Operation Bullpen and had been going on since 1997. Over ten million dollars in counterfeit sports and celebrity memorabilia was confiscated. This included counterfeit cards along with clothing, autographed photos, sports equipment, and other supposedly valuable items. The counterfeit cards would have made their way to mainstream channels and directly to consumers, the same as all counterfeit memorabilia does, fleecing the the public for millions at a time.
Sports card collecting should be a personal pleasure on many levels, as a professional activity and an individual hobby. The love that collectors have for the artifacts of their idols and sports should not be compromised for one moment by counterfeit cards. All collectors, dealers, and aficionados should be even more diligent without losing their zeal for what they do. One organization that does professional grading/authentication is PSA (Professional Sports Authenticators). They can help with uncovering counterfeit cards. I suggest seeking them out and organizations like them, if you are ever unsure about your trading cards. Just because counterfeiters steal a player's image doesn't mean we should let them steal our joy.
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