1951 Bowman Counterfeit Question

[Archive]

Posted By: Hankron

Having read your posts, I'm not sure if you're concerned about the card's authenticity as much as it's grade (WIWAG?).

As for as authenticity goes (i.e., is it a counterfeit): This may not be satisfactory to you, but it doesn't change the fact: If you want to determine if the suspect is a card is a counterfeit, the ideal thing to do is to remove the two Mantles from their holders and directly compare them. This includes with a black light, but also with your naked eye. You should be aware of any natural differences that appear in the Mantles/Bowmans (i.e. changes in stock), and also compare them to a few a few commons). A counterfeit would have one and more than one significant difference. Upon such comparison, the vast majority of counterfeits are obvious, even to a non-collector.

I don't deal with graded cards and don't know how the plastic masks the qualities of a card, but I would think that many counterfeit Mantles would by apparent by comparision even if it's still in the in the holder.

It would seem that the practical thing to do is to have the card reholdered, either by PSA or other reputable grader. If the card reholders at the same grade, it will benifit you financially as you will be able to tout this in your sale/auction (I would guess that one of your worries is that it won't reholder at the same grade). If you aren't willing to reholder it, exaine it yourself or have someone else compitent examine it, there's really nothing else to you can do.