PSA Is Grading Fake 1983 Topps ’52 Mantle Reprints

PSA couldn’t tell the difference between a rookie and a cookie if their life depended on it.

Blowout Forums user superdan49 recently discovered that PSA has graded numerous counterfeit examples of the 1983 Topps ’52 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 Reprint card.

According to superdan49 some of the red flags to look for in a counterfeit example include perfect centering, bright white card stock, and the #311 appearing in the lower left corner on the back.

I highly suggest that you check out the link above to read the full breakdown of superdan49’s report. The origin of these counterfeits is unknown. Whoever made them realized their mistakes, and began to make better looking counterfeits. Some have been found with the #311 in the correct location.

The 1983 Topps ’52 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 Reprint card is one of Mantle’s most desirable reprint cards a collector can own. This specific set has a slightly glossy finish with a print run of around 10,000 copies per card. Cards came packaged in fancy blue boxes just like Topps Tiffany sets.

PSA can deactivate the card’s certification number from their database if they feel its not authentic. But it won’t take the card out of circulation.

When PSA deactivates a certification number from their database it would be nice if a marketplace such as eBay could get notified. If that certification number gets deactivated and it shows up on eBay the seller and/or current high bidder should be alerted.

FAKE

FAKE

AUTHENTIC

AUTHENTIC

Card of the Day: Curt Simmons 1952 Topps #203

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Card of the Day: Albert Einstein 1952 Topps Look ‘n See #20

Card of the Day: Eddie Robinson 1952 Topps #32

Topps 582 Montgomery Club & 1952 Bowman Baseball Card Pack Pins Arrived This Week

This is just a quick post to show-off my latest trade.  I was able to acquire a set of (3) Little League pins that look like packs of 1952 Bowman Baseball.  They’re large in size, but nowhere near as big as the 1954 Bowman Baseball pins I received not too long ago.  I made this trade through the Little League Pin Traders Club group on Facebook.  Very cool!

Members of the Topps 582 Montgomery Club began to receive their collectible pin this week too.

How To Spot Fake 1952 Wheaties Hand-Cut Cards

“You better eat your Wheaties.” is a phrase ingrained into American culture.  Starting in the 1950s, Wheaties began to team-up with athletes.  Olympian Bob Richards was the first athlete to be featured on the front of the Wheaties box.  Since then, Bruce Jenner, Mary Lou Retton, Walter Payton, Chris Evert, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Dale Earnhardt, Brett Favre, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Michael Phelps, Mia Hamm, and Muhammad Ali have all graced the box cover.

Wheaties has issued various trading card sets with their cereal.  In 1952 they released a 60-card multi-sport set.  Card subjects range anywhere from baseball stars to professional divers.

We live in a time where anything and everything can be counterfeited.  Years ago someone forged a lot of these cards, and they made their way onto the market.  They’re still floating around.  It certainly isn’t the most expensive set in the world.  Perhaps that is why they thought they could get away with it.

Here are a few tips on what to look for in authentic/counterfeit 1952 Wheaties cards:

• Hand-Cut – These had to be cut-off the side of the cereal box by collectors.  If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.  They won’t be perfect.  Major condition issues.
• Stains – Authentic examples tend to have stains on the back.  Not uncommon when you have cards included with a food product.
• Border Color – Counterfeits usually have very bright white borders.  Authentic cards have borders which are a bit darker in color.
• Reverse Color – The back should be completely blank, and a grey color.

Authentic front

Authentic back

Card of the Day: Barney Poole 1952 Bowman Large #11

Card of the Day: Clint Hartung 1952 Topps #141

Card of the Day: Don Newcombe 1952 Bowman #128