Any 2003 Topps LeBron Authentic vs. Reprint Guides

[lakerman34]

So, I've recently purchased a BEAUTIFUL 2003 Topps Lebron with PERFECT centering, just in gem mint condition. The seller had it on eBay for auction with best offer available, so I used best offer to skip all the bidding. He ended up accepting my offer (which, I feel, was a REALLY good deal for me).

I'm PRETTY certain the card is real. I have owned quite a few of these, and this one looks identical.

I was unaware that there were a lot of fakes out there though. I was wondering if anyone knows of a 2003 Topps LeBron guide in existence, and if they can PM it to me or post it in this thread?

[Deadshot]

I haven't seen a guide but it should feel consistent to the other copies. The foil and "feel" of the card should be your biggest clues.

[lakerman34]

Figured I'd show off a lil.

Here it is! Obviously NFShttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200722/f328d2b0829c8718d3e594f96aceb700.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[BRob1]

I’d get that graded ASAP. The whole story reeks of RP...perfect centering, steal of a price, BIN.

[ninjacookies]

Have not heard of a reprint that's ever had real foil stamping. They're just xerox copies on paper stock.

I think it's real. The karma gods got you back for your MJ RC irrationality.

[Beavers98]

Have not heard of a reprint that's ever had real foil stamping. They're just xerox copies on paper stock.

I think it's real. The karma gods got you back for your MJ RC irrationality.

Yeah never seen any reprint/counterfeit copies that can duplicate the real foil stamping. Looks real to me, If it's not we're all in trouble.

[Goldenarm]

Figured I'd show off a lil.

Here it is! Obviously NFShttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200722/f328d2b0829c8718d3e594f96aceb700.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Those print lines on his suit look weird.

[Willikn]

Those print lines on his suit look weird.

"e" in LeBron looks a little weird too, yes? Maybe just photo distortion.

[ToppsAddict]

There absolutely have been many reprints cropping up recently that DO have the foil stamping. In the past, the foil has been the key to spotting an authentic card, but that is no longer the case. With some of the reprints, you can see some red behind the "Cavaliers" silver stamp. If the entire stamp is fully silver foil you're in good shape, but if you can see some red through it that spells trouble. Also, the text on the back of many of the reprints is not as crystal clear as on the original.

I fully believe the card you posted is authentic, but the counterfeiters are getting good, and this card is starting to become a scary one to buy raw.

[isles4life]

do you have a pic of the back?

There are some really good reprints of this card out there.

[armoursave]

Any more info on the seller?

[ninjacookies]

There absolutely have been many reprints cropping up recently that DO have the foil stamping. In the past, the foil has been the key to spotting an authentic card, but that is no longer the case. With some of the reprints, you can see some red behind the "Cavaliers" silver stamp. If the entire stamp is fully silver foil you're in good shape, but if you can see some red through it that spells trouble. Also, the text on the back of many of the reprints is not as crystal clear as on the original.

I fully believe the card you posted is authentic, but the counterfeiters are getting good, and this card is starting to become a scary one to buy raw.


Ruh roh.

Got any examples we can check out? That muddies the water quite a bit.

I imagine the Topps Curry rc is up next then.

[ToppsAddict]

Ruh roh.

Got any examples we can check out? That muddies the water quite a bit.

I imagine the Topps Curry rc is up next then.

Here's a couple of quality reprints with real foil that are floating around:

https://i.ibb.co/pQ6wwz8/lebron-reprint-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/T0bcbZ2/lebron-reprint-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/LzZh3M6/lebron-reprint-3.png
https://i.ibb.co/NyML15Z/lebron-reprint-4.jpg

[dthimesch]

Best thing is to take a high powered magnifying glass to it and compare the print dots to an original.

[ninjacookies]

Here's a couple of quality reprints with real foil that are floating around:

https://i.ibb.co/pQ6wwz8/lebron-reprint-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/T0bcbZ2/lebron-reprint-2.jpg

Good lookin out.

That is scary indeed.


Always puzzled me why they hadn't come out with foil fakes, since they'd been replicating special holographic finishes for ages. Foil would almost seem like childs play for them.

[Beavers98]

Yeah yikes. I'm sure in hand the paper is different, but dang in pics that sure looks like a good fake. whew...

[BRob1]

There have been auctions ending in the high hundreds of dollars (as high as $800) for this card that clearly says RP in the description on the bay in the last week ...

[ToppsAddict]

Yeah yikes. I'm sure in hand the paper is different, but dang in pics that sure looks like a good fake. whew...

I haven't seen the foil reprints in person, but a buddy of mine told me they're almost identical. The gloss, cardstock, foil, etc., all the same. The 3 differences he found was the red showing behind the foil, the back image of Lebron slightly smaller, and the font on the back not as crystal clear.

With these reprints becoming very prevalent and being very difficult to distinguish, I think we could see a rise in lower grade PSA Lebron's versus the price of raw moving forward.

[Jasondr91]

I opened tons of 03/04....didn't the originals with the foil stamping kind of press, and leave indentions?

Take a legit card, turn it over, don't these show an indention many times from the other side where the foil is pressed onto the front? I need to grab some copies to show what I mean. No way the fakes have this also.

[nowiamsad]

My slabbed Lebron has a little red showing through on the cavs stamp.

My raw copy has no red showing through.

So...

Edit: Going over both they’re identical aside from that Cavs foil. So either I’ve got a slabbed fake, or I’m assuming that red showing through isn’t actually an indicator. I’ve yet to see proof of a fake with foil.

[nowiamsad]

Here's a couple of quality reprints with real foil that are floating around:

https://i.ibb.co/pQ6wwz8/lebron-reprint-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/T0bcbZ2/lebron-reprint-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/LzZh3M6/lebron-reprint-3.png
https://i.ibb.co/NyML15Z/lebron-reprint-4.jpg

Pretty sure the 3rd one down is legit, and the rest are cheap RPs, no foil.

[ToppsAddict]

Pretty sure the 3rd one down is legit, and the rest are cheap RPs, no foil.

No, I don't believe that is the case. This guy on Ebay is selling a bunch of them, and I have seen them selling on other platforms as well:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-04-Topps-Basketball-Rookie-221-LeBron-James-RC-RP-SGC-10/383645113569

[nowiamsad]

No, I don't believe that is the case. This guy on Ebay is selling a bunch of them, and I have seen them selling on other platforms as well:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-04-Topps-Basketball-Rookie-221-LeBron-James-RC-RP-SGC-10/383645113569

He’s selling RPs but that pic isn’t an RP that I’ve seen before, so it’s either a new one with a strange sheen, or more likely the seller is using a legit copy to sell RPs

[ToppsAddict]

Compare the centering and rough cut top edge of the ebay reprints listed above, with this listed from a 0 feedback seller:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-04-Topps-Basketball-221-LeBron-James-Rookie-Card-/402333094371

It's the same reprint, but you can see the foil better from this picture.

[nowiamsad]

Compare the centering and rough cut top edge of the ebay reprints listed above, with this listed from a 0 feedback seller:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-04-Topps-Basketball-221-LeBron-James-Rookie-Card-/402333094371

It's the same reprint, but you can see the foil better from this picture.

What makes you think this one is a reprint? I think you are comparing two pictures of legit copies.

[ToppsAddict]

What makes you think this one is a reprint? I think you are comparing two pictures of legit copies.

Bro, it's the same reprint! My buddy bought one to compare and said it's nearly identical. Unless guys are selling legit cards for $30 and calling them reprints, there are reprints with foil!

The fact that you think they are legit is the issue. There are very good reprints out there now and even experienced collectors are having a difficult time distinguishing. It's becoming a scary card to buy raw.

[nowiamsad]

Bro, is the same reprint! My buddy bought one to compare and said it's nearly identical. Unless guys are selling legit cards for $30 and calling them reprints, there are reprints with foil!

That's hearsay.

I'd also tend to believe you, if you didn't seem to be pumping up low grade versions of this card with the same breathe.

With these reprints becoming very prevalent and being very difficult to distinguish, I think we could see a rise in lower grade PSA Lebron's versus the price of raw moving forward.

Get your friend on here to explain the differences. Otherwise, you've done nothing here but muddy the waters, offering no proof. 3/4 cards you posted were obvious reprints with no foil.

[RedMike]

i know people have a habit of using "reprint" and "fake" synonymously but they really aren't. IMO - The term "Fake" and "Counterfeit" should be used more often for these type of cards.

[ToppsAddict]

i know people have a habit of using "reprint" and "fake" synonymously but they really aren't. IMO - The term "Fake" and "Counterfeit" should be used more often for these type of cards.

You're right, the cards I'm referring to are counterfeits. I think anyone can see that the last two I posted, one listed "reprint" and one listed as authentic are both the same counterfeit. Kind of ridiculous that I get attacked for bringing awareness.

Full disclosure, I have one "low grade" Topps Lebron in a PSA 6, and I have no intent to sell it anytime in the near future, so I have no motive to lie.

[nowiamsad]

You're right, the cards I'm referring to are counterfeits. I think anyone can see that the last two I posted, one listed "reprint" and one listed as authentic are both the same counterfeit. Kind of ridiculous that I get attacked for bringing awareness.

Full disclosure, I have one "low grade" Topps Lebron in a PSA 6, and I have no intent to sell it anytime in the near future, so I have no motive to lie.

You're not bringing awareness though. You're bringing misinformation.

You've done nothing to prove there are reprints or counterfeit Lebron rookies with foil. All you've done is show two pictures of cards that look legit, and said your friend, who is not here, said that one of the two, is fake.

Re: The red showing through, just looked over some other 03 topps cards. It's prevalent in the set. Would you assume the raw Iversons I bought are also fake?

[ToppsAddict]

You're not bringing awareness though. You're bringing misinformation.

You've done nothing to prove there are reprints or counterfeit Lebron rookies with foil. All you've done is show two pictures of cards that look legit, and said your friend, who is not here, said that one of the two, is fake.

Re: The red showing through, just looked over some other 03 topps cards. It's prevalent in the set. Would you assume the raw Iversons I bought are also fake?

lol. I've posted an auction of a seller selling self admitted Lebron "reprints" WITH FOIL. I posted another auction from a different 0-feedback seller selling the same "reprint" as authentic WITH FOIL.

Obviously nothing will satisfy you until you see PSA giving out "? AUTHTCT", so I'll just wait for that to happen. Time will prove what I am saying and I expect an apology.

[nowiamsad]

lol. I've posted an auction of a seller selling self admitted Lebron "reprints" WITH FOIL. I posted another auction from a different 0-feedback seller selling the same "reprint" as authentic WITH FOIL.

Obviously nothing will satisfy you until you see PSA giving out "? AUTHTCT", so I'll just wait for that to happen. Time will prove what I am saying and I expect an apology.

Again, you've proven nothing.

I reached out to the seller "WITH FOIL", let's see their response when asked if the reprint had foil.

https://i.imgur.com/jIhyiEW.png

Your other example is of a legit Lebron and the only "evidence" you've provided is 0 feedback and then saying it's just like the other "RP with foil" which as the seller has stated, is not the case.

There are a lot of new accounts. Probably people trying to sell the suddenly $500 card that's been sitting in their closet. I have seen some new accounts trying to sell RPs for $500, but even those say RP in the title. Very scummy.

If you want to provide some actual proof, I'm all ears. But you've got nothing dude.

[ToppsAddict]

I guess opposing minds think alike. Just received the same response from the seller in question.

https://i.ibb.co/CnQxT2y/foil.png

I will keep digging.

[ToppsAddict]

Okay, I'm back and a little better prepared.

My buddy bought the alleged reprint locally, and after close inspection, determined it was a counterfeit. In reviewing the evidence, either Topps had horrible quality control, or there are counterfeits with foil.

https://i.ibb.co/3SXdFLG/foil.jpg
The top card is the alleged counterfeit, and the bottom card is an authentic card. If you look closely at the top card, you will notice that you can see the red background color penetrating through the foil stamp. In the bottom authentic card, the stamp is completely opaque with no red behind/through it. The foil stamp also varies in size between the two cards.

https://i.ibb.co/xgDTSwh/foil-2.jpg
In this photo, the card on the left is the authentic card and the card on right right is the card in question. As you can see, the right-hand red border has a wavy look to it on the authentic card, but appears to be perfectly straight on the card in question.

He noticed some additional differences as well, but those required looking at the printing dots through a loupe. The card was cheap, and the seller quickly agreed to refund the money when called out, which further convinced him that the card was counterfeit.

I suppose it's possible that the card he purchased was actually real, and Topps just had terrible quality control to explain for the differences in appearance, but this is the information from him that I was sharing in my previous posts.