1956 Mickey Mantle PSA 7 Rare HIGH END HIGH Grade

[Peter_Spaeth]

Were flips with holograms faked?

[Sean1125]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Were flips with holograms faked?

Yes, they crack the entire slab so if it was a hologram slab it is just a junker card opened up. Here is an excerpt from BBCE:

The scam, which originated in California, involved selling high dollar counterfeit cards in legitimate PSA holders. First, the scam artists buy several low dollar PSA graded cards. Next, they “crack” the cards out by separating the PSA holders at the seam. Even though PSA claims to have a “tamper evident” holder, it is quite easy to open the holder without damaging it. Once the holder is opened, the “flip” (label) and card are removed and replaced with a counterfeit card and flip. Finally, using a clear adhesive, the holder is resealed and ready to be sold.

All of the fake flips utilize legitimate cert numbers, so if the cards are looked up in PSA database, they will match the card in the holder, but realize these numbers can be easily obtained and have no meaning on determining whether the card is authentic or not.


The cards used in the scam are higher dollar mid-hi grade examples that are high in demand. Below is a list of cards most commonly found in the scam:

T206 Cobb Re portrait PSA 6
t206 Cobb Bat on PSA 6
1933 Goudey Ruth #53 PSA 5
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig #92 PSA6
1934 Goudey Gehrig PSA5
1951 Bowman Mantle PSA 4
1952 Bowman Mantle PSA 6
1954 Aaron PSA 7
1954 Aaron PSA 6
1955 Clemente PSA6
1956 Mantle PSA 7

[Taxman]

Font looks wrong and a lot of space between beginning of font and left border on the flip.

[bobbyw8469]

I thought the card was a really bad card for a '7' grade, but I kept my mouth shut. It didn't have any of the qualities that make a card a '7'. I feel sorry that the poster got stuck with a fake card.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I thought the card was a really bad card for a '7' grade, but I kept my mouth shut.

Me too. I saw the card last night as soon as it was listed. I thought it better not to say anything. I'm glad others see what I see.

[shammus]

We don't normally allow interference on BST listings, however, this time, since the authenticity of the slab is in question (I agree btw, I'm seeing some things on the slab/label I've never seen before out of PSA such as those rounded corners), and possibly even the authenticity of the card, I think it's ok to keep the discussion going.

To the original poster, would a resubmission to PSA be out of the question? Any ideas on the history of the card?

[CollectiblesNJ]

I have been in contact with the seller. I bought this card on ebay via auction with intentions on reselling it.

They told me they had bought it on ebay themselves already graded a little over a year ago.

I am returning the card to him as it was only purchased 3 days ago. item # (251292145417)

He said he contacted PSA and they said the number came back to the correct cert and "supposedly" looked at the pictures in the forum and on ebay and said that the card was authentic and was graded over 10 years ago.

I called and they said they would need to have the card sent in to them to determine if it was authentic. They were non committal on the phone with me.

Because of the substantial amount of money involved I have to return this card to the seller so we likely will not get a decision from PSA reported in this thread.

All I can say is this card is pretty condition sensitive so I do not think that it is impossible that this is a genuine 7. It really is a decent looking card. The whole situation is unfortunate

I also do not know the grading curve they had in play 12-13 years ago when the cert number says the card was graded

I had a 4.5 on one with 4 badly punched corners and 80/20 centering that I submitted myself.