New card
 

Just picked this up for under 200 dollars. Did I do Ok?

looks fake

Not sure how I put the card within the card.

still looks bad to me

lets see the reverse.

Still think I'm gonna get it checked out just the same.

PSA knows their shit!

That card under $200 is a huge red flag. Unless you found it at a garage sale and the owner had no idea of the value and you lucked out and it was real.

What is the back, it could be one of several different sets.

If it's a green crofts candy...well....

Here is the back

there you go...fake e102! Look at the font of the print on the back...it's all wrong...way too dark.

He had it tagged as a T-206 card so I was hoping he was just very uneducated.

One of the great things about this board is that there are many collectors willing to help out when a new poster has a question. :) But a superstar pre-war card for under $200 is going to be fake, well, just about every time.

I have to agree with Pete that it is a fake E102.

Damn. I was hoping it was an early birthday present. Do you think it would be a bad idea to send it in to be sure?

yes, because that would be throwing good money after bad.

Save your money on the grading, it is fake, as others have said.... and if he had it listed as T206 on ebay, and it hasn't been too long, return it. SNAD...

I didnt get it from Ebay but thanks for the advice.

Pretty good fake front though I have to say. Back is just silly.

Like Pete I was thinking the print on the back was too dark, but then I checked out a real one that I have and it also has dark print. The scan of it is below.

Still probably not authentic, but I personally think it is worth sending to TPG for authentication, just because it doesn't scream fake to me, but just kind of whispers loudly. Can you provide us more detailed image of both front and back?

Brian

I disagree Brian the font is wrong there is no way that’s card is real

Why waste more money just hold onto it if you cannot return it and bring it to a show and show a few people .

switched order of scans for better viewing
 

Not saying it is real, but to me it looks like the same font. I added another authentic back for comparison purposes along with the Cobb from the OP.

Brian

To me if you quickly scan from known authentic to the OP’s they don’t seem the same... if you placed the original post with 10 real ones and only looked at the box it would stand out like a sore thumb...to me. But by all means...go get it graded...waste more money.

cobb
 

Looks like its real

You already spent 200 on the card. What's another 10 or 20 bucks to send it in? You can also send scans in to PSA for their quick opinion service first and see what they say. Or walk it into the show next month if you're in the Chicago area.

I was just asking. I'm by no means an expert at this hobby. I didnt want to start a big arguement.

Put me in the fake department. The light gray in the uniform looks way too light to me and the dark gray areas should be streaky/dotted/lines, which is very easy to see under a bright light, but I don't see that at all in the OP's picture. Below is an authentic copy and closeup showing what I mean.

There's close to a 100% chance a competent grader will determine the card is what it is -- fake. There's around a 95% chance an incompetent grader will determine the card is what it is. In the very off-chance you get a numeric grade your card will be worth around $3,000. In the very high chance they determine it's not real the card will still be worth what it is now, around $3 for a mediocre fake of a high value card. You can calculate the expected value and make the choice on what to do next.

Outside of any debate on whether the card is fake or not, sometimes it's best to lean most on common sense in future questionable purchases. What are the chances that a dealer who knows enough to be aware of an iconic set/player like T206/Cobb will not bother to spend 30 seconds on the Internet to find out: 1) that it is not a T206?; 2) that if it was a T206 or E102, it would be worth around 20x what he sold it to you for in very low grade condition?

I don't mean this post to sound critical, just trying to help going forward.

If you look at the top two pictures where they are side by side... The "N" on "Shean" falls away on the bottom right on both, and the "A" in "Knabe" seems smaller than other "A"s, on both. I'm thinking the backs are very similar. I'd risk a few bucks and send it in. Upside is way bigger than downside.

Guys, it's not a real E102 Cobb that was mistakenly listed as a T206 that sold for under $200. It's fake. Take your loss or get a refund if you can. The corners aren't even naturally worn, they were cut with scissors.

are your pics from a cell phone? if you can post scans...that'd be better!

The front scan was questionable/not conclusive, but the back is the dead giveaway that it's a fake. The card stock and printing is all wrong.

exactly

Tommy Boy
 

"I'll tell you what, you can get a good look at a t-bone by sticking your head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it." Tommy Boy

Man.... I hope this card is a fake! Thought a little levity would be good.

Cell phone pics are the best I can do right now. And then they are cropped to get within size.

That is only for autographs, unless they changed it recently.

I really hope he took Pete's advice and took the card back for a refund.

If you have a black light, that could answer the question. If its a fake, I'm guessing the paper with illuminate with the black light test.

[QUOTE=Aj-hman;1892173]"I'll tell you what, you can get a good look at a t-bone by sticking your head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it." Tommy Boy


exactly.

I would hate for the guy to have a chance to do the same again. I'll just sit on the loss and learn from it. Thanks for the help.

I didn't realize that. I've seen the service advertised but haven't really looked into it.

Even worse, you’re letting the seller think it’s okay to do this again to rip off someone else. Tell him it’s fake, send it back, get your refund and keep an eye out for it again to warn others...

What else does the seller have for sale, it would help. He might have another E102 Cobb in the same condition, maybe even a T206 Wagner, a few 33 Goudey Ruth’s or a great looking 52 Topps Mantle for under $200.

Please.link to auction, I'd like to know the seller

Dude, I don't know you from a hole in the wall, but you have to see how your quote (above) now puts you in a very suspicious light. If you got ripped off by a scammer for $200 and you're just going to chalk it up to experience and do nothing about it, I imagine every single one of us is wondering if the 'fake' has been, in fact, yours all along and you posted the pics here to see if it was good enough to fool people. You can just throw $200 away?? This type of thing happens on the autograph side, where (probable) forgers will ask for opinions on big name signatures they are "thinking of buying" for the sole intent of seeing if their handiwork is getting good enough to trick the experts on the board. Again, to be clear, I don't know you, so I may be way off base, but I guarantee this is what most people are thinking at the moment.

Yep, post Ebay auction please

The OP mentioned previously he did not get card from ebay. Nor has he stated where in the heck it came from...

Brian

I don't think there will be a link to an auction anytime soon. I have to agree with Darren on this one.

Response VWruss?
 

Darren's skepticism is warranted. What's your response VWruss? Would love to hear details of the backstory or some verifiable info on the seller. "Gee shucks, how did I do on my tag sale purchase," is a yellow flag for a tagline -- if you knew enough to join this board I'm guessing you're very familiar with Google searches. "Live and learn" on throwing away ~$200 means you either have a great attitude and should be commended or Darren is likely right....

It's a shame that's the first thought, this is just a scammer testing his work for opinions. I don't disagree that's likely the case.

Assuming he walked into a card or antique shop and thought this might be real 200 is not an unreasonable gamble. If this card is worth 4 or 5k if authenticated he only has to be right 1 in 20 or 25 times.

[QUOTE=JollyElm;1892539]Dude, I don't know you from a hole in the wall, but you have to see how your quote (above) now puts you in a very suspicious light. If you got ripped off by a scammer for $200 and you're just going to chalk it up to experience and do nothing about it, I imagine every single one of us is wondering if the 'fake' has been, in fact, yours all along and you posted the pics here to see if it was good enough to fool people. You can just throw $200 away?? This type of thing happens on the autograph side, where (probable) forgers will ask for opinions on big name signatures they are "thinking of buying" for the sole intent of seeing if their handiwork is getting good enough to trick the experts on the board. Again, to be clear, I don't know you, so I may be way off base, but I guarantee this is what most people are thinking at the moment.[/QUOTE
I'm glad you guys got me figured out. I'm new to the old card hobby and naively figured this place would be a good place for help with a card I just bought and honestly had reservations buying in the first place due to price. I bought the card in an antique store from a guy that sells civil war weapons and stuff. He only had a couple cards and none of those. Thanks for a great welcome to this forum.

Welcome ---don't let the "want a be" experts bother you. The example showing the print pattern is a excellent example to help you authenticate.

If your card doesn't show the dot pattern then the moderator's suggestion to try return the card is valid.

But I must add there are experts whom made a mistake on a photo I own.

Anyway let the comments roll off your back, what's life without taking a gamble.

Nothing matters if you like the card.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

what's the name and location of the antique store? when did you purchase it? why not seek a refund on a fake item? these aren't unnecessary probing questions. they are helpful for context.

if you came here seeking opinions from some knowledgeable folks i think you received that -- the consensus from the more knowledgeable folks here is that it is fake, and it isn't even equivocal. you have been provided some pictures and reasons why it is fake. you can get additional support for that by spending more money if you wish, but even many of the "real experts" have questionable competence (see virtually every other thread on this board). perhaps tom can point us to the truly real experts and you can get their opinion.

in any case, please let us know the answers to the questions above.

Heavily Reprinted Card
 

Maybe it was bought by someone -- not making a judgement on who the original buyer was -- off of Etsy for $4.95: https://www.etsy.com/listing/2812922...esome-vg?pro=1

One can buy a quantity of 3 that have the "perfect vintage look." The seller, "julianmayle," has a whole store of fake cards and over 3,000 feedback. Yay!

Rags to riches in Harrodsburg,Ky. I bought it Sunday. I am not sure if a refund is even an option at this point. I was aloof about the money only because what else can I do after being such a fool too buy it in the first place. I have never called into question anyone's competency to judge a card and appreciate the insight provided greatly but when I am personally attacked about my I integrity it really gets under my skin. Perhaps that was mo ones intent but it sure started heading that way fast. Thanks again for your help.

Thats “curious!”

ok. let us/me know if you want some help getting your money back. feel free to send me a direct message with your contact info.

there are a lot of indications that the card is fake. the biggest giveaway in my opinion is the tone and composition of the stock used to make your fake card is nothing close to that of a vintage card. the tone is much too dark on the back versus real e102s (google search for more back examples) and the "breakage" (how the card shows wear over time) on the back is very different than how a vintage card would show breakage. there are giveaways on the front too without even using a black light, but there is enough on the back that even a non-expert could spot a fake.

as you may be beginning to see, there is a whole cottage industry designed to produce fake vintage and other cards. the etsy store with a quantity of fake e102 cobbs is just one example.

VWruss, what I think you're missing or don't understand being a new guy here is many have come on this site, and others, over the years looking for opinions on their cards in order to see if they can fool us.

Many 1-2 posts from newbies exist looking for opinions. Imo, these "doctors" are just looking for tips/thoughts on how to make their fakes better.
Many collectors on here, unknowning to them, give opinions that are only helping the forger get better at their craft.

If one were to say, like it has the wrong font, etc, that gives the doctor an idea what he needs to improve on.

Also, in light of the recent scandal currently going on, many on here are a little more vocal/angry when someone new comes along looking for opinions on a card that is clearly fake to them.

I honestly don't think anyone was overlly harsh/critical of you but rather just up front, as they should be.

I can surely understand that. Guess best bet for me is to only collect slabbed cards at least for the near future. Not looking for perfection just authenticity.

Slabs are no guarantee of safety as you will see if you peruse the boards. The biggest thing you can do is read up on the boards, share a little from time to time and not disappear at the first "challenge." If you stick around you'll get a lot more benefit of the doubt going forward, and we really do like growing the membership of the board. It gives us more people to show-off to, sell to, buy from etc...