More fakes from China - PMG, Star Rubies, Plat Medallion

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by frisbeesteve

The only thing that's amazing here for me is that somebody would think that it's funny.

Just gotta hope that they don't pay.

[COMCMax]

Originally Posted by pinguino17

Hahahaha Amazing!! $5200 for fake

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-99-Sky....m43663.l10137

Guess that's how much his reputation is worth. So all we got is a BGS serial #? Never found out the card serial #?

[rogermaris]

This isn't about a fake card, so much as a fake autograph, but figured I'd post here to warn everyone.

I believe this card from this auction (https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1998-9...f-U:rk:12:pf:0) has a fake autograph:



I love this set, but the Jordan autograph is ALWAYS light blue, fine and streaky. Not sure what happened during the signing, but here's an example of what they normally look like (this is actually a nice example; most are much worse):



I personally believe the seller wiped the card down and faked the autograph. Now maybe you're thinking -- perhaps this seller just found a really amazing example of this card with a perfect autograph, signed in a darker pen. But some other people discovered the same seller likely sold another suspected Jordan wipe-down job autograph fake. Only it was under a different username, ostensibly to cover his tracks: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-UD3-Se...p2047675.l2557

Here's a picture of the card from the above auction:



Notice the blue hue behind the autograph? That's what happens to this card when you try and wipe down the auto. Here's another example of one that had the autograph wiped down, leaving the same blue hue:



And here's what it SHOULD look like:



If you're wondering why people suspect it's the same seller, here's the description for both fake Jordan autographs. They appear to be written by the same person. Also note that both sellers list their address within 40 miles of one another:





If you look at the Jordan auto on the wiped down UD3 auto, and this Ionix auto, they match almost perfectly. They appear forged by the same hand. Stay away!

[jjohnson814]

As usual great detective work, Brendan. Scary stuff. It's getting to the point where you have to critique every purchase

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[the27guy]

I've seen several original UD3 MJ's that are unsigned.

Collectors need to be incredibly careful when purchasing most early super high end MJ's.... but especially the autographs.

[90sBBallCards]

That’s a shame. I don’t even consider a Ruby unless it’s authenticated now. Almost ruins the set.


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[GC1980]

Just rolling through this thread and it really makes you question big purchases.

This may not be appropriate for this thread since it's not 90s and maybe not from China but i have noticed a ton of fake autos on slabbed 1986-87 Fleer Jordan's flooding ebay lately. They always have the same telltale thin blue ink signed on an angle in the same location. They almost always carry a very old UDA cert number/sticker.

[frisbeesteve]

Originally Posted by rogermaris

This isn't about a fake card, so much as a fake autograph, but figured I'd post here to warn everyone.

I believe this card from this auction (https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1998-9...f-U:rk:12:pf:0) has a fake autograph:



I love this set, but the Jordan autograph is ALWAYS light blue, fine and streaky. Not sure what happened during the signing, but here's an example of what they normally look like (this is actually a nice example; most are much worse):



I personally believe the seller wiped the card down and faked the autograph. Now maybe you're thinking -- perhaps this seller just found a really amazing example of this card with a perfect autograph, signed in a darker pen. But some other people discovered the same seller likely sold another suspected Jordan wipe-down job autograph fake. Only it was under a different username, ostensibly to cover his tracks: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-UD3-Se...p2047675.l2557

Here's a picture of the card from the above auction:



Notice the blue hue behind the autograph? That's what happens to this card when you try and wipe down the auto. Here's another example of one that had the autograph wiped down, leaving the same blue hue:



And here's what it SHOULD look like:



If you're wondering why people suspect it's the same seller, here's the description for both fake Jordan autographs. They appear to be written by the same person. Also note that both sellers list their address within 40 miles of one another:





If you look at the Jordan auto on the wiped down UD3 auto, and this Ionix auto, they match almost perfectly. They appear forged by the same hand. Stay away!

2 more eBay users blocked, sure do appreciate this Brendan!

[mk6283]

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[mk6283]

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[AbraCalabro]

Man...this is just getting worse and worse. Kinda' makes me want to quit, seriously.

[rogermaris]

Originally Posted by mk6283

Hi,
Hoping everyone can help. I purchased one of these MJ rookie autos that I think you are alluding to for 6k on eBay recently and I'm happy to own it. It is slabbed by SGC (new slab) as an authentic auto (auto grade 8) and has the UD hologram from the (1998?) Las Vegas camp. SGC confirmed the slab is theirs, that the card is also authentic, and to me they seem to be careful about autos that they authenticate. Upper Deck also confirmed that the auto/hologram were authentic in my e-mail communication with them. So I am wondering why you are saying that it is fake? If it is indeed fake then I will try to file a claim to return it right away. Photos are attached. Thanks very much to everyone in advance for your help!
Best,
Michael

He wasn't talking about all Jordan RC UDA autographs, just some of them. The fake ones use a very clean version of Jordan's modern signature, signed in bold blue ink at an angle. If I'm not mistaken, they also usually do not include the booklet, just the sticker on the back of the card.

Looking at yours, it appears totally legit to me. The autograph not only looks real, it's accurate to the period in which you claim it was signed (1998), and it does not match the style used by the forgers. Given all the other documentation you have, I think you're safe.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by rogermaris

I bought that very exact card several years ago and asked the forum what they thought. I was completely in denial and thought maybe I'd snatched a holy grail for 2k. Looked even worse in person. Of course it was blatant fake and I promptly returned. Seller back then was including it in a huge auto/GU lot which I managed to get him to part out. Claimed it was 100% legit and would pass authentication lol. So bad.

Still breaks my heart til this day.

[charly41]

more fakes from China ? Obviousely the seller lives in California

[COMCMax]

Really digging this Pippen. Seller doesn't list the # or show the back of the card. This good to go? Gonna send a offer I believe.

SKYBOX METAL UNIVERSE 1997-98 PRECIOUS METAL GEMS SCOTTIE PIPPEN PMG RED /100

[JGDMSP]

Originally Posted by COMCMax

Really digging this Pippen. Seller doesn't list the # or show the back of the card. This good to go? Gonna send a offer I believe.

SKYBOX METAL UNIVERSE 1997-98 PRECIOUS METAL GEMS SCOTTIE PIPPEN PMG RED /100

He bought a huge lot from a true collector. Possible no fake on this one. Looks real as well because of the used edges... sensitive set.

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[COMCMax]

Originally Posted by JGDMSP

He bought a huge lot from a true collector. Possible no fake on this one. Looks real as well because of the used edges... sensitive set.

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Yea, just no serial number mentioned or scan of back tossed up paranoid flag.

[JGDMSP]

Originally Posted by COMCMax

Yea, just no serial number mentioned or scan of back tossed up paranoid flag.

Absolutely agreed here

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[SanAntonioSpurs]

Originally Posted by COMCMax

Really digging this Pippen. Seller doesn't list the # or show the back of the card. This good to go? Gonna send a offer I believe.

SKYBOX METAL UNIVERSE 1997-98 PRECIOUS METAL GEMS SCOTTIE PIPPEN PMG RED /100

Originally Posted by COMCMax

Yea, just no serial number mentioned or scan of back tossed up paranoid flag.

Which is funny because his other listings where the serial number is on the back he shows the front and back of the card. But he didn't show the back of the Pippen PMG or the Pippen Masterpiece. So either he's hiding something or simply forgot to upload the pic of the back. I'd get a pic of the back before I sent an offer.

[the27guy]

Have seen several 99-00 stadium chrome refractor first days /25 with fake serial numbers. Topps somehow let a sheet or two of these out some time the last couple of years. Before you buy any check the fonts.

[mk6283]

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[mk6283]

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[rogermaris]

Originally Posted by mk6283

And here is one with a sticker number 1 lower than mine (BAA00835 instead of BAA00836) that sold on PWCC in August:
https://www.pwccmarketplace.com/items/1727409
Thanks,
Michael

Now that you've posted those three auctions, I'm a bit more suspicious. While the autograph doesn't match a lot of the Jordan forgeries going around, I find it strange that all three of those autographs look identical. Same shape, size, slant, sloppiness. Especially suspicious considering two are being sold by the same person, and the third has a serial number linking it to the other two. Even if someone went to Jordan's camp and had him sign three things, you would expect all three autographs to be slightly different, especially considering one of these was definitely not signed at the same time as the others. Also, none of the three signatures are great exemplars of Jordan's signature, they all have slight issues. That being said, there are tons of real Jordan autographs floating around that also have minor issues; he didn't sign perfectly every time.

There's still a good chance they're all real. But I personally stay away from UDA sticker autographs for precisely this reason -- it's really hard to be 100 percent sure.

[Clipperfan3]

I went to the camp in Santa Barbara in 1998 and this is how MJ's signature looked at that time.

[mk6283]

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