1954 Bowman counterfeit method?

[ElJayel]

Hi all. I've been a lurker for a while reading all the great content. Created an account to ask this question.

I picked up a small lot of 1954 Bowman cards the other day off eBay which included a Hoyt Wilhelm, Robin Roberts, and a Don Larsen RC. The cost was low and the condition was generally low grade. When I received the cards I noticed that the Larsen actually had a back of Andy Seminick #172. The color, size, cut, and feel of the stock all seem ok to my very amateur eye. There is a bit of ink staining on the front which now in light of the wrong back seems obvious to me that this is a fake. I do not suspect the other cards in the lot of being faked as they look original to me and not worth the trouble to fake. All the rest of the cards have the correct backs. When I checked the eBay listing again it does show the Seminick back in the pictures. I remember looking at the picture of the backs but only to make sure there was no writing or major staining. It didn't occur to me to make sure the backs matched the fronts!

But, I'm just curious. Is this a common method in counterfeiting vintage cards to take a common from the same set and print over the front somehow trying to dupe an unsuspecting buyer? And why do it with a Larsen RC in low-ish grade which might be worth $20 or $30? Is it just a practice run for a higher value card?

This is basically a learning experience for me as I'm recently getting more familiar with 1950s baseball cards. The eBay seller has a good reputation with a lot of excellent feedback and sells a significant number of vintage cards every day. So, I don't in any way think it was malicious on their part. It's likely something that slipped through on them just as it did me.

Anyway, thanks for reading and any offering any feedback!