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Posted By: davidcycleback

For any issue-- whether it's T206, 1933 Goudey or 1978 Topps-- if you have some genuine cards in hand, including commons, you will have little trouble identifying reprints and counterfeits. A reprint T206 is noticeably differ than an original, due to different card stock, gloss, thickness, graphics quality, other. If spread out on a table with real cards, the reprint will often stand out like a sore thumb.

Also, by handling genuine cards, you will be better at identifying reprints online. Again, many reprints look bad or otherwise suspect even in online images.

Even looking at the online images of a reputable auction house, like REA and Barry Sloate helps. After all, these auction houses are showing you what the real versions look like.