T202 questions
 

I am just beginning a T202 set and have a couple questions. Have done a little research (Old Cardboard Magazine and past threads), and it appears that the set is doable with some patience. Are any cards "uncommon" commons which you have had difficulty picking up? Also, what should I expect to pay for commons in the SGC 30-40 range? From the cards I have acquired thus far, there appear to be many uneven cuts, almost as if they have been cut by hand. Despite the strange cuts, the cards are graded and not labeled as authentic or trimmed. Has anyone else noticed this and why does it seem that this set has more strange cuts than most?
Thanks for the help.

The reason there are so many strange/uneven cuts in the T202 set is that the end panels were folded over the center panel before the cards were cut apart horizontally.

So basically:

The sheets of cards were first cut into vertical strips.

Then the end panels were folded over.

Finally, the cards were cut apart horizontally, into single cards.

The only common card I've ever heard of as "difficult" is the "Birmingham's Homerun". It was considered tough back in the 1970s-1980s. I'm not really sure though if this still holds true.

Steve

weird cuts
 

The cuts can be strange, but as long as they "line-up" when folded, then they are probably legit. The colors go outside the borders quite often as well - another good indicator that the cards are real compared to a "perfect" one.

As far as Birmingham, I'm not sure why it's condsidered rare, because it's not any more difficult than any of the others really. There a few toughies that you come across as you collect them - the #3 Cobb card is probably the hardest Cobb of all of them. The Wood/Speaker cards are tough as well.

There are three possible backs - Factory 649 in black ink, and Factory 30 in both black and red. I'm fairly confident that you can find all of them in 649 and red 30, but I'm not convinced they all exist with a black 30 back.

Hope that helps!

Take Care,
Geno

T202 questions
 

I had someone just ask me about T202s because they found a large collection, yes the cuts can be different and look trimmed. I have graded some odd looking cut ones before and really just depends on your judgment. They are a tough issue to collect with issues like the rough cuts and wear to the folds.

Jimmy