For card collectors, there are few things sweeter in life than thrill of a sports card auction! Whether it's getting your hands on a long sought after rookie card or just completing a season, sports card collecting remains one of the most popular hobbies for a reason! But in a world where rarity often means value, how can you be sure that the card you've won/bought is the real deal? We've compiled a list below of some of things you can look for to make sure the cards in your possession are true originals.

 

  1. Print Style & Pattern: Vintage cards were printed where if you look closely the makeup is a hexagonal or “honeycomb”. You might need a jeweler's loupe to spot it, but when scrutinized, you can see that it's not a print/dot matrix as from modern printers.
  2. Card stock: Examine the card. For the most part, vintage cards were printed on thicker cardboard. When you pick the card up, it should stay firm. Cheaper/fake cards are often printed on thinner, flimsier paper. Note: tobacco cards are a notable exception to this rule, they were printed on thin cardboard. 
  3. Signs of Wear, Coloring, & Clarity: Remember, when most vintage cards were printed, we didn't know they would become valuable! Because of that, most cards will show signs of handling and it is exceedingly rare for truly vintage cards to look untouched and pristine. Handling and aging wear and tear should diminish the crisp, bright colors. Hazy/smeared logos and images and overly faded colors are sometimes a sign that the card is indeed a fake.
  4. Borders & Centering: Cards with white borders will fade over time. Vintage cards with a pristine white border should raise a flag for a closer look. Examine how centered the art inside the border is. Early days of card printing didn't have the same quality control we have now and many or even most cards were printed off center. If an older card is dead center, it needs a detailed examination.
  5. Common sense: Sometimes if something looks too good to be true - it is! If you're shopping a collection of mostly 80s and 90s cards with a rookie Micky Mantle card, it might be a good idea to pause and wonder how that came to be. On the other hand, if you're looking at a collection of mostly 50s cards, well, that Mantle card might be more plausible in context.

 

Although many of these bullet points can be causes for concern, it may well turn out that the Mickey Mantle rookie card that is perfectly centered and looks pristine is, in fact, the real deal and you've got a fabulously expensive card in your possession!

 

The best way to make sure you've got the real thing is to reach out to a trusted partner, like Back to the Past Collectibles to have the pros take a look! We can help you evaluate your collection and bring you the piece of mind of knowing the value of what you have.