[Sean1125]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Were flips with holograms faked?

Yes, they crack the entire slab so if it was a hologram slab it is just a junker card opened up. Here is an excerpt from BBCE:

The scam, which originated in California, involved selling high dollar counterfeit cards in legitimate PSA holders. First, the scam artists buy several low dollar PSA graded cards. Next, they “crack” the cards out by separating the PSA holders at the seam. Even though PSA claims to have a “tamper evident” holder, it is quite easy to open the holder without damaging it. Once the holder is opened, the “flip” (label) and card are removed and replaced with a counterfeit card and flip. Finally, using a clear adhesive, the holder is resealed and ready to be sold.

All of the fake flips utilize legitimate cert numbers, so if the cards are looked up in PSA database, they will match the card in the holder, but realize these numbers can be easily obtained and have no meaning on determining whether the card is authentic or not.


The cards used in the scam are higher dollar mid-hi grade examples that are high in demand. Below is a list of cards most commonly found in the scam:

T206 Cobb Re portrait PSA 6
t206 Cobb Bat on PSA 6
1933 Goudey Ruth #53 PSA 5
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig #92 PSA6
1934 Goudey Gehrig PSA5
1951 Bowman Mantle PSA 4
1952 Bowman Mantle PSA 6
1954 Aaron PSA 7
1954 Aaron PSA 6
1955 Clemente PSA6
1956 Mantle PSA 7