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Posted By: Tim Newcomb

For the cards that have the same number in both sets, it can be very hard to tell. With a blank back, there's really no way to distinguish them. This has led to some controversy over how you identify an M101-5 Babe Ruth "Rookie" card, but since I can't afford that type of card I haven't paid close attention to it.

The only way to tell those numbers apart is by the backs. Some backs appear only on M101-4s, some only on M101-5s. But about six of them (blank, Famous, Gimbel's, Herpolshimer, Block & Kuhl, Morehouse, and Standard Biscuit) appear in both sets, so it's anybody's guess. The Famous & Barr backs are reversed relative to the front in each set, so that can usually be spotted.

The M101-4s are definitely easier to assemble than -5s. I'd say there might be two -4s for every -5.

Tim

John-- I think that's an M101-4 based on the orientation of the back compared to the front-- or (Todd, help me out) am I getting those mixed up?