How to detect a reglossed card - w/ examples

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Posted By: Kevin Saucier

Anything that a typical card shows in its unaltered condition can usually be replicated, that includes the gloss surface. Doctored cards can have their original gloss removed depending on the type of alterations performed. Just the same, a typical card that has not been altered in any way can loose all or part of its natural gloss, assuming it was there in the first place, by normal wear and tear. Gloss can be added to hide other alterations, correct damage done or to make an old card look better. This is where it helps to know a little about the card, to include the year, cardstock and its normal appearance. Reglossing is usually accomplished by applying a solution or other coating to the surface of a card in order to revitalize the full or slightly shiny look.

A quick glance under normal lighting or a halogen should let you know right away if the card seems to have extra gloss or be a little shinier than normal. Again, use your nose and give it a sniff test. Anything applied to the card surface may give off an abnormal odor. Rub you finger gently across the surface of the card and feel if it is too slick or slightly sticky. Your finger should not be hindered in its movement or, in other words, skip across as if being dragged. Also run your finger gently down each edge feeling for the same sticky or sliding movement.

Place the card under a halogen light and look at the angled card surface for any high/low flaws, overly glossed areas or a thick film. With your loupe, inspect the outer borders of the card and the edges. You are looking for areas by the edge where the card doctor may have missed. It will show as a gloss and then abruptly stop to a dull section. Check the edges in case the person who was reglossing got a little carried away and went over the sides. This will show as a glossed edge, which is usually abnormal.

It's not that easy to perfectly regloss a card without stopping just short of an edge (could be as little as 1/64" or less) or going over.





As you can see this card has been reglossed right down the center (it was also bleached, lightly toned and a stain removed). Extra gloss was added to exaggerate the effect for display purposes. When done very subtly it can add an almost perfect natural factory gloss to a card.

As with most alterations, this type has also tested the system...well over the limit. A 1987 Topps McGwire card was made into a highly glossed Topps Tiffany. It got a standard grade (a 9 I think) and was then cracked out.




Here is a 1955 Bowman card which normally has a bright gloss. The first shot shows how the card looks with half of the gloss stripped off. As you can see in the next picture the card has been reglossed and has a new look. I created small border chips on the right side to show this was altered from the original first picture.

On this particular card the edges would be the key as the regloss process also made the dull edges somewhat shiny in many spots. In a case such as this it would probably be a number of small objective findings that would be used to make an overall opinion that the card has been altered.



Kevin Saucier




*edited to add the Bowman card.