[the 'stache]

Welcome to the forum, Dan.

I agree. They make for some of the most interesting discussions, and most educational.

The more I read the responses from the seasoned collectors, the more I am learning that there's often not one or two telltale signs that a card is a fake. It's often much more nuanced than that.

We would all be well advised to follow some of the best advice I've seen since joining the forum: one, buy the card, not the grade, if purchasing a slabbed card. You are paying for a person's opinion. Never assume the card is legitimate because it is slabbed. Examine the card, and the case, and ask questions of your fellow forum members if you're not sure.

Two, buy cards from reputable dealers. Trust in this hobby is important, especially when considering the amount of money that can exchange hands.

And three, education is power. If you are collecting, learn about your subject. Become familiar with how these cards feel, and look. If you're collecting T206 cards, or 1952 Topps cards, get a beater you know is the real thing, and use that as a control. When you acquire a card for your collection, compare it to your control card. Look at it under a microscope. If you're collecting something like the 1971 Topps set (a little beyond the scope of this main board, I know), use a black light, and make sure that the edges haven't been darkened with a black marker. And when you're not sure, ask questions.