Is this 58 Mantle a Counterfeit?

[bradmar48]

I received this 58 Mantle a few weeks ago from a dealer with over 5000 positive feedbacks. I just bought a PSA 5 58 Mantle and when I put them side by side the raw one doesn't look the same. Especially the back which is much darker on the raw card. On the front the gold background is darker and the color of the face is darker on the raw card. I thought I'd get the board members' opinions before I did anything.

[hammer]

I think they are fine.

[bradmar48]

It's the back that made me worry. I have the compete set along with about 100 extra and no other back is dark and shiney like the back of this one.

I've seen reprints of Mantles form other years and they all have a darker back.

[ALR-bishop]

If you go to the web site of Dean's Cards and plug in a search for "1958'Topps Mantle 150" you can see the backs of 12-15 Mantles for comparison

[bradmar48]

Thanks Al.
I did an Ebay search for 1958 Mantle and the thing that still bothers me is that
the back of a reprint listed had the same triangle corner not colored in red on the right side of the Major League Batting Record-Fielding banner above the stats.
I still just don't know 100% either way any only have a few days left to return it.

[savedfrommyspokes]

To me, it looks fine. The centering is off to much to be a fake. I collect print variations, so occasional print variations (in this case some color variation, print shifts) are generally more positive indicators of legitimacy.

[Batpig]

Looks perfectly fine to me, the biggest thing being the off center front. You just don't see reprints of a 58 with centering issues. I have several hundred and there are plenty with darker backs. Having said that, you're the one that has it in hand, so go with your gut.

[swarmee]

Did you use a loop/loupe to check the dot printing patterns? Did you take it out of the toploader and feel it?

[Bestdj777]

Looks fine to me. Corner wear looks natural.

[JoeDfan]

One of these guys told me a long time ago to get a pocket microscope (they are less than $20); and you can look at the print dots against a known example card from the same year.
I have found that to be invaluable advice. I can even take microscopic photos with my phone and email them to myself.