Why so many bids on this fake Gretzky rookie?
 

Correct me if I'm wrong here. This card is fake, and easily identified as such. Yet there are quite a few bids on it, with plenty of time remaining.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-80-O-P...AAAOSwwGdfvEHj

Is this just a byproduct of the massive influx of new hobbyists? Too many people with too little knowledge chasing cards that are counterfeited too often?

I imagine the winning bidder will be someone to whom buying a Gretzky rookie is a new experience. Sadly, it's looking like their experience will be a rather unpleasant one.

Definitely fake. The bids could be shills to make it look active. Its always amazing that the fakes are nicely centered. The real ones are tough.

and a really bad reprint as well

"unclear if this is an original" seems to be the way to earn 15,000% increase on a card

I think it is partly that but I also think some people have money to burn so they are willing to take a chance as well.

Regardless, as long as people keep buying these up, the worse things are going to get, imo.

Yup, that cards fake, Love the description "unclear if the card is original"... The description should read "clearly this original card is a fake"..

What is the obvious tell here? (besides the non-committal description)

I have been looking for a Gretzky rookie for months. would never buy raw, but just curious how you spot these.

There are a few articles written, Wid. I am not up on them either but it's nice to know the info is out for me if and when the time comes?

https://www.beckett.com/news/how-to-...etting-burned/

https://www.cardboardconnection.com/...ky-rookie-card

https://allvintagecards.com/guide-to...retzky-rookie/

Thanks for posting these links.

There is a treasure trove of info out there. With a little research, and a discerning eye, it is possible to buy raw cards online and (when COVID hell has ended) in person.

You're welcome.

I'm not sure if those links I posted covered it but I read recently that the scammers/doctors are now adding that yellow dot/spot on Gretzky's left shoulder.
That use to be a tell tale sign, if that was missing, that the card was a fake but that doesn't hold true anymore apparently?

If the yellow dot is missing, the card is still a counterfeit. :rolleyes:

Luckily, determining authenticity is much more than looking for one specific thing. Cards should be put through several tests. For example, most cards from this era (Gretzky rookies included) are a product of similar printing methods. One such method involves printing a blend of solid colors and "rosettes" by sending the card stock through the press several times. This can be seen with Topps progressive color proof sets.

Many counterfeits are made with machines that print everything in one pass. This leads to a homogenized image, with (again, for example) no crisp black pin lines around the image on the front of a Gretzky rookie.