Posted By:
Gilbert Maines"i know the 1988 and newer reprints all have reprint written on the backs of the cards"
It is not true that all recent fake t206s all have "reprint" noted on them. Also the doctoring of fakes to include artificial aging has advanced to the point that the actual year of manufacture of the fake is not an issue. Certainly, the poorer examples of fraudulent cards are easily distinguishable, however, as the quality of the counterfeiting technique is improved, so must be the experience of the potential buyer; in order to recognize the offered card's illegitimacy.
For potential buyers who do not have the required experience to identify fakes with certainty, and who opt to purchase ungraded cards, the employment of good purchasing judgement can reduce the potential for buying a phoney t206. Guidelines for the exercise of this good judgement have been specified by drc. The employment of these techniques result in you passing on some good buying opportunities, but they increase the liklihood that you will not buy a fake quite substantially.
Similarly, once you have the card, the methodology specified by drc allows you to establish that it was indeed produced prior to WWII. And of course, the seller will guarantee this status, or you wouldn't have bought the card.
The above represents my opinion. Experienced t206 collectors can typically determine legitimate cards from scans alone - but not always.