52 Wheaties counterfeits

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Posted By: Rob Scales

Apparently, cards from this set were counterfeited somewhat extensively in 2002. Does anyone have advice on what to look for in determining authenticity or how to identify the fakes?

Thanks

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Posted By: Paul S

I know there are some people who won't buy these now unless they are graded. Even so, that doesn't mean that some may not have slipped inside holders one way or another. You can always post an image or a link to an image here and get some excellent opinions. The following are general guidelines and possibly you know it already, in which case someone here can be more specific:

If you can get your hands on a raw authentic or two you will get a better idea of how they should look to the eye and feel in the hand. If you see a card for sale in person check for similar cardboard stock. If you have a loupe or very good magnifying glass look at the edges to see if the card in question matches an authentic one -- as you know these had to be cut out of a box (unless you are shopping for panels.) Should or shouldn't the stock paper be layered, etc.

Below are two of my authentic raws. You can save them onto your harddrive. If you have a good image editor that will magnify them, then enlarge mine side by side with the card in question -- look for printing variations, tiny print dots that shouldn't be there; does the card in question utilize the same kind of printing techniques, such as size or shape of dots, should there be dots at all, broken lines, tone or variations in large color patches etc. The more you do this the better you'll become.

But really, getting to know the real deal raw and in person is the way to go, because if you are shopping online something will often hit you immediately about an online scan that there's something off about a card.

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Posted By: Rob Scales

Thanks for the advice and the images, Paul. It is appreciated.