They're Called Rare Backs...

[MVSNYC]

Not sure when the term "Off Backs" came about, seems like just over the last few years...When I started collecting T206 in 1991...we just called them Rare Backs. I still do. Ted'll tell ya!

So, let's see some Rare Backs...

[Leon]

"off back" sounds like it's a bad thing. Rare back is much better...

[MVSNYC]

I agree Leon!

And, that’s a bad-ass Uzit!

[Cory]

Would you call polar bear, old mill and sovereign rare backs? Technically I guess they really are, but not compared to uzit, drum, etc. Of course if I was selling any uzits or drums they would be labelled as ultra rare or something to that effect. I use the term off back to denote anything not peidmont or sweet cap.

[Eggoman]

ONLY 4 on PSA's Pop Report...

[RCMcKenzie]

"Off Back" sounds like "Off Brand", which suggests a lesser known product that is often discounted, like knock-off shoes. For medium scarce backs like Polar Bear, I would say, "tougher" or "more difficult" back.

Making progress on AB350NF. Here's Murphy from Sterling. I think this puts me at 23/37. I have not added to my checklist since Jan 22, so I may have missed a few.

[tonyo]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Not sure when the turn "Off Backs" came about, seems like just over the last few years...When I started collecting T206 in 1991...we just called them Rare Backs. I still do. Ted'll tell ya!

So, let's see some Rare Backs...

I've been wondering the same thing for the last couple of years.... where did that come from? & something about "off back" just doesn't sound right to me.

I'm not a long time t206er (started in '07) but "rare backs" is what I learned.

Actually I often refer to old mill, polar bears, sovereign, epdg, tolstoi, american beauty, cycle as "less common backs" I've never owned any carolina brights, uzit, brown hindu , broadleaf, lenox, drum

[Casey2296]

"Off-Back" reminds of someones least favorite child.

[DeanH3]

I don't have any extremely difficult backs so these will have to do.

[stutor]

Maybe ‘off back’ is better suited for cards such as these...

[t206fanatic]

a few AB460 backs

[MVSNYC]

Great cards, guys! Keep 'em coming...Sonny, Jeff, wow!

I agree with a lot of the comments/terminology above...common, less common, tough/difficult, tougher/more difficult, extremely difficult, rare, very rare, extremely rare, ultra rare, uber rare.

[Sean]

I have a rare front:IMG_1407.jpg

[Sean]

Less rare than weird: IMG_0115.jpg

[Sean]

IMG_0457.jpg

IMG_1346.jpg

[MVSNYC]

Wow, awesome cards, Sean! Thanks for sharing.

[Mjpadilla84]

Great thread started here, some amazing rare backs. Here is my Jennings Lenox Brown Back, the only one that exists I believe.

[Vintagedeputy]

This is all very amusing to a guy who just collects these because they’re baseball cards with baseball players on the front. Tobacco ads be damned!

[t213]

some of my rare backs

[Zach Wheat]

Nice cards all! Love those "rare backs".

[atx840]

My kind of thread, amazing cards everyone!

[MVSNYC]

Man, some great cards!

Chris, bravo!

[Eric72]

Off back? Wouldn't that be a skinned OJ?

[wazoo]

I think I know why they call them offbacks…

[Natswin2019]

My favorite rare back. Combined pop of 7

[Cmvorce]

Jeez talk about eye candy. Incredible cards, everyone.

[Rhotchkiss]

How about a proof blank back, 3 old mills - blue, brown and black- and a Cy Young Ghost multi-strike, with a brown old mill

[BobC]

Some other rare backs.

[MVSNYC]

Man, this thread is fun!

Ryan, wow.

If we're posting miscuts, here's a drastic one...

[RCFire82]

+1
👍

[2dueces]

It’s amazing what collectors have learned just in the past 40 years about T206’s. I was completely naive to backs in the 70’s-80’s while searching 500 count boxes of T206’s. No telling how many rare backs I passed over for a $1 or $2. No telling how many I traded away or passed through my hands. I did manage to keep some semi rare backs in my collection by accident.
Anyone else or am I the only one?

[Eggoman]

Hey Joe:

Since YOU admitted it FIRST - so will I!

But I DID find a keep a couple that caught my eye!

[nineunder71]

Greg, That Stoney Cycle is Amazing!! Congrats

[nineunder71]

Here’s one

I’ve really only been into rare or off-backs since I started collecting T206s. The common backs just never did it for me

[2dueces]

Greg, You sure did save a couple beauties!

[Eggoman]

THANKS, Joe & Colton!

SOMETIMES a guy gets lucky!!!

[mybuddyinc]

Relatively Speaking, these two aren't terribly "rare" backs ....... But the player combos could be considered, let's say, "scarce" .............

up42c.jpg

Fun, fun, Scott

[Casey2296]

-
Some amazing cards posted.

E-card guys need a little rare back representation on this thread.
-

[fkm_bky]

Not necessarily a rare back, but less than 10 of the front/back combo makes this one a bit "rare" or scarce.

Bill

[Tripp Trapp]

Not necessarily a rare or uncommon back, but unique in its own right.

[wazoo]

I’ll go blank

[brass_rat]

Sometimes they are so rare, they are called "no prints"...

Great cards, everyone


Edited: I missed the point, I should have shown a rare back, not a rare combo. Ooops

[brass_rat]

Fixed... Here's a T206 rare back

[MuncieNolePAZ]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

Fixed... Here's a T206 rare back

Definitely qualifies. Incredible!

Chad

[nineunder71]

Originally Posted by brass_rat

Fixed... Here's a T206 rare back

Wow, Amazing

[Eggoman]

WOW!

I hate to follow the Walter Johnson Drum Back with this one, but...

Here's a BEATER, BUT a RARE back, too!

Please give Fred some love, too!

[tedzan]

Two HOFer's with rare red HINDU backs......









And, two "should have been" HOFer's with rare red HINDU backs......

.




TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[tedzan]

If you are adventurous enough to hunt for the "Elite 11" cards, you will find Spencer very difficult to find.
Moreso than the other 10 rare Elite 11 cards with PIEDMONT 350 backs.





TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[alywa]

A couple to share… not the rarest but still pretty cool

2B29AEA4-DE74-4A12-8DFC-50F803E382AE.jpg

21AF4BA2-CF10-483A-85CE-9429BA6835BE.jpg

[Luke]

I don't like "off back" either. I think the problem is there isn't an obvious easy way to convey that the back is tougher than Piedmont but not actually a rare back. Me and Scott tried to get "mid-tier" back going like 5 or 6 years ago but it didn't take. I hope people keep trying because "off back" sounds like something that's worse than normal.

Here are a few "mid-tier" backs: