Some baseball card counterfeits are otherwise genuine cards
that have been doctored. This usually involves making a slight
alteration in order to transform a common card into a rare and
expensive variation. Famous variations include the T206 Magie
error (misspells the last name of Sherry Magee), T206 Doyle variation
and the 1990 Topps NNOF (No Name on Front) Frank Thomas.
The collector should take extra care when purchasing expensive
variations. This can include getting second opinions, whether
from a fellow collector or trusted grader, and purchasing from
a good seller.
Altered counterfeits is an area where you can get a worthwhile
opinion from a non collector. While you may be the resident baseball
card guru, your spouse or daughter may turn out to have a keener
eye for seeing alterations.
Methods for identifying altered cards
A combination of the following tests will identify most altered
counterfeits
Visual Examination: Added paper and paint is often
identified just by a close look. It is often a slightly off color,
pattern and/or texture. It is difficult to match colors to fool
the human eye. While most amateurs can be easily detected, some
professional restores can be deceptive job.
Surface Texture: When holding a card at an angle nearing
180 degrees to a light, the added paint, ink or paper will often
have a different texture and gloss from the rest of the card
surface. The added material also may be physically raised from
the rest of the card. You might be able to feel the relief with
your finger tip.
It is extremely difficult to match the gloss of the original,
and chances are added paper or ink will shine differently.
The added paint on this fake 1990 Topps NNOF
Frank Thomas is obvious when viewed at a sharp angle to the desk
lamp. The paint has a different gloss and texture.
Opacity: When held up to a bright light, the doctoring
may be apparent.
Black Light: Just as counterfeits and genuine cards
often fluoresce differently under black light, so often will
the alterations. Added paper, glue and ink material may stand
out under black light.
Beware of 'varnished' counterfeits
To try and cover-up their handiwork, some forgers will coat the
card in a clear substance. This often makes the touchups harder
to see with the naked eye. However, the varnish will usually
give the card an abnormal gloss and florescence. Comparison with
genuine cards in the same issue will reveal the difference.
A collector once bought a rare variation T206 card. The card
looked okay to him, except the front was much glossier than his
other T206s. The card turned out to be an altered card that had
been varnished.
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