Card of the Day: Wayne Gretzky 2021 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Splash of Color #140

Card of the Day: Wayne Gretzky 1995-96 Bowman’s Best Refractor #5

Card of the Day: Wayne Gretzky 1980-81 O-Pee-Chee #250

How To Spot A Fake Wayne Gretzky 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee #18 Rookie Card

The Wayne Gretzky 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee #18 rookie card has been a prime target for counterfeiters for years.  It’s Topps counterpart isn’t far behind, but his O-Pee-Chee carries much more demand.

Here are some tips for what to look for in an authentic and counterfeit Wayne Gretzky 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee #18 rookie card:

• Print Dot – Authentic cards contain a yellow print dot on Gretzky’s left shoulder.  Every authentic version contains this blemish.  WATCH OUT!  Some counterfeits contain this dot too.
• Rough Edges – Most authentic examples have rough edges.  The rough edges come from a metal wire being used to cut the cards from the sheets.  Over time this wire would get dull resulting in the cards receiving a rough edge.  Cards cut earlier will have smoother edges.
• Image Quality – Counterfeits will have poor image quality compared to an original card.  The photo on most counterfeits are of low resolution and tend to be fuzzy.
• Blue Stripes – On the first print run the Gretzky rookie card will have light blue stripes going across the back.  The second print run does not have the blue stripes.
• Blue Specks – Around Gretzky’s skates you should see very tiny blue specks.  You do NOT want to see any red specks.
• Black Borders – The black borders should be solid.  Counterfeits have been known to have breaks in the black borders.
• Fuzzy Lettering – If any of the lettering (especially “Wayne Gretzky” on the front) looks unclear and fuzzy, its most likely a counterfeit.
• Perfect Centering – Counterfeits tend to have great centering.  Authentic examples are difficult to find with decent centering.

Card of the Day: Wayne Gretzky 2019 Upper Deck Diamond Dealer Goodwin Champions Preview Auto

Card of the Day: Wayne Gretzky 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee RC #18

Card of the Day: Wayne Gretzky/Mario Lemieux 2005-06 UD The Cup NHL Shields

Upper Deck’s ’10 National VIP Set

Inside each VIP bag at this year’s National collectors will find a 6-card set provided by Upper Deck.  The set will include Joe Flacco, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Alexander Ovechkin, and Sidney Crosby.  Be sure to check out their wrapper redemption program too.

Card of the Day: Wayne Gretzky ’99-’00 UD MVP Draw Your Own Card

Upper Deck had a good idea with this set.  Collectors could send in their own artwork, and the winners had their drawing placed on a card.

Happy Birthday Bob Uecker & Wayne Gretzky!

Did you know that Bob Uecker and Wayne Gretzky share the same birthday today?  Thats what you call an odd couple.  The only reason I know this is because today is my mom’s birthday too.

Gretzky is probably one of the most popular hockey player’s in history, and even if you don’t follow sports, I bet you’ve heard his name.  He has thousands of cards, tons containing autographs and relics.  Uecker on the other hand has very few cards, 20 at the most.  His rookie can be found in 1962 Topps.  As far as I know, he has no certified autographs or cards containing relics.  Uecker is one player I think collectors would love to see autographs and relics of.  Judging by the sale of his cards, he seems to be very popular.

“Hey, I must be in the front row”