Rolling Thread for 90s Fakes and Backdoored Cards

[rogermaris]

I’ve created this thread as an all-encompassing, centralized resource for information about 90s fakes and backdoored cards. I’ll be updating it regularly as cards hit the auction block. Feel free to contribute your knowledge, call out questionable/fake listings, or ask questions.

*Please don’t discuss how to identify fakes as that information could be used by forgers. If you notice a difference keep it to yourself*


F.A.Q.

Are the PSA and BGS slabs fake or just the cards?
The PSA and BGS slabs are real. Neither company currently has the expertise to identify fakes consistently.

If you say a card is real, does that mean it's 100% real?
You can't be absolutely 100% certain ANY card is real without provenance. Keeping up with forgers is an arms race and it's impossible to tell whether you’re one step ahead or behind. If forgers release a new generation of fake that corrects the mistakes used to identify them, then they won't be recognized.

Can you tell me how you know a card is fake?
No, because that information could assist forgers.

How can I learn to tell if a card is fake?
Study the fine details and train yourself to spot differences. Anyone with good eyesight and time can teach themselves to do it.

Methods you shouldn't use:
Coloring (can vary based on how image is captured; can also vary between real copies)
Seller location (there plenty of authentic 90s cards being sold out of China/Taiwan/Hong Kong)
Seller history (many sellers don’t realize they’re selling fakes and have authentic cards mixed into their inventory)

Where do these fakes come from?
From my research, they were likely manufactured in China, possibly Guangzhou. That being said, the mastermind(s) may be from Hong Kong or Taiwan. I don't have many leads, so if anyone has more information by all means share.


GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND HOW I PERSONALLY USE THEM:

Fake — A counterfeit card manufactured from the ground up in an attempt to imitate the original.

Real/Authentic — A card that, to my knowledge, isn't fake. Any card I describe as 'real' I would feel comfortable buying myself.

Backdoored — A card printed by the company but never officially released to the public. Generally leaked from the factory by unscrupulous employees or sold during the infamous 2004 Fleer bankruptcy auction. The vast majority were cut from sheets. Many have had fake serial numbers applied in an attempt to pass them off as original, pack-pulled copies.

Pack-pulled — Any card pulled directly from a pack; therefore not backdoored or fake.




KNOWN FAKE SETS:

1996-97 Fleer Ultra Platinum Medallion:

Players known to be faked: Kobe Bryant (base, Encore), Michael Jordan (base; others suspected)

Authentic examples:





Fake examples:







1997-98 Skybox Premium Star Rubies:

Players known to be faked: Michael Jordan (base, Team Skybox), Kobe Bryant (base, Team Skybox), Tim Duncan (base, Team Skybox), Penny Hardaway (base, Team Skybox)

Authentic examples:





Fake examples:






1997-98 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems:

Players known to be faked: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Penny Hardaway

Authentic examples:





Fake examples:







1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Red:

Players known to be faked: Michael Jordan

Fake examples:







1997-98 Skybox Z-Force Series 2 Super Rave:

Known fakes: Michael Jordan (Zupermen), Kobe Bryant (Zupermen), Tim Duncan (base)

Authentic example:



Fake example:





1998-99 Skybox Thunder Rave:

Players Known to be faked: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Scottie Pippen

Authentic example:



Fake example:





1998-99 Skybox Premium Series 1 Star Rubies:

Series 2 is unaffected. Players known to be faked: Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Penny Hardaway

Authentic example:



Fake example:





1998-99 Hoops Starting 5:

Players known to be faked: All

The only thing that differentiates Hoops Starting 5 parallels from the base set is a foil stamp in the corner. Forgers have recreated the stamp and applied them to authentic base cards.

Thank you to phdbeckett for providing the information on how to spot these.

Real example:



Fake example:





1998-99 Skybox Metal Universe Gem Masters:

Players known to be faked: Kobe Bryant, Penny Hardaway

Real example:

COMING SOON

Fake example:

COMING SOON


ALSO COMING SOON:
BMOC/zpeat
Cut above



SETS THAT WERE BACKDOORED FROM FLEER/TOPPS:

1997-98 Skybox Z-Force Rave:

All players affected. Many released with partial “OF 399” stamp but no actual unique serial number

Pack-pulled example:



Backdoored examples with fake serial numbers:






How to spot the difference:





1998-99 Fleer Tradition Playmaker's Theatre:

All players potentially affected. Be advised that fake stamps have been observed on both embossed and non-embossed copies. Just because the card is embossed and has a serial number does not mean it was pack pulled.





How to spot the difference:




1997-98 E-X2001 Essential Credentials:

All players potentially affected.







1997-98 Topps Finest:

All players potentially affected.

How to spot the difference:





1997-98 Skybox Star Rubies:

These are interesting because the stamps on backdoored copies are very similar to the stamps used on the Team Skybox subset. There is a chance these were released as replacements for damaged cards. The explanation for the strange stamping would be that Fleer used the stamp for the Team Skybox cards by accident when making the replacements. If that's the case, then these shouldn't really be considered backdoored cards.

How to spot the difference:



Other examples with questionable stamping:





1998-99 Skybox Star Rubies:

All players affected. Many released with partial “OF 50 STAR RUBIES” stamp but no actual unique serial number

Real card with authentic serial number:



Backdoored card with fake serial number:






1997-98 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection:

All players affected. Most are missing player's name on back. On real serial numbers, 'O' in 'OF' should be rounder than '0's in '100'.

How to spot the difference:






ALSO COMING SOON:
That Stadium Club set, forget what it’s called.
Flair legacy collection
All those other Topps sets with fake stamps.

A reminder that any statements I make are merely my own opinion and the result of good-faith analysis.

[rogermaris]

Reserved

[rogermaris]

Starting off with a fake 1996-97 Ultra Michael Jordan Platinum Medallion:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-97-Fle...0AAOSw4wZeBk7v

[jwillgrails]

Great thread. Thanks for sharing. I’d love a couple of tips on how to spot the difference for each card. The fakes would’ve fooled me - especially when graded.

[phdbeckett]

I have so information about 1998-99 Hoops Starting 5s. I can pm you and send documents if needed.

[Round Mound]

Originally Posted by jeromeparot

Great thread. Thanks for sharing. I’d love a couple of tips on how to spot the difference for each card. The fakes would’ve fooled me - especially when graded.

Same here. Some are quite obvious, but some are really not!

[KhalDrogo]

How many of the fakes you've outed that have been graded by PSA have had their cert # rescinded?

[rogermaris]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

How many of the fakes you've outed that have been graded by PSA have had their cert # rescinded?

PSA won't rescind a cert on a fake card without inspecting the card themselves first. I've helped about 8-10 people send in their cards to PSA for a review and refund.

I will give credit to PSA that they've acknowledged their mistake in every instance so far. As far as I know, everyone who has sent in a graded fake for review has been made whole. That being said, these are only the cases I was personally involved in; not sure how others have fared.

I can't speak to BGS since they've never engaged with me in any of my messages.

[dustin42]

Originally Posted by rogermaris

PSA won't rescind a cert on a fake card without inspecting the card themselves first. I've helped about 8-10 people send in their cards to PSA for a review and refund.

I will give credit to PSA that they've acknowledged their mistake in every instance so far. As far as I know, everyone who has sent in a graded fake for review has been made whole. That being said, these are only the cases I was personally involved in; not sure how others have fared.

I can't speak to BGS since they've never engaged with me in any of my messages.

I think using the term "mistake" is giving them the benefit of doubt. Do you know for certain that they didn't know it was fake when graded? These two companies were pushing to get the best cards graded to grow business. I would withhold judgement either way.

Not trying to be a jerk and this is awesome work!

[Comix Guy]

Originally Posted by jeromeparot

Great thread. Thanks for sharing. I’d love a couple of tips on how to spot the difference for each card. The fakes would’ve fooled me - especially when graded.

Originally Posted by Round Mound

Same here. Some are quite obvious, but some are really not!

He won't say:
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...&postcount=670

[Jocel]

The best answer of all this 90's fake cards should come from JEAN & EARLof Arena Design..

That's all i can say...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rogermaris]

Originally Posted by dustin42

I think using the term "mistake" is giving them the benefit of doubt. Do you know for certain that they didn't know it was fake when graded? These two companies were pushing to get the best cards graded to grow business. I would withhold judgement either way.

I genuinely don't believe anyone at PSA is knowingly grading fakes. The issue seems to be that there are only a handful of graders who know how to identify them. But PSA assigns cards to graders randomly, allowing most fakes to slip through the cracks.

But you're right, maybe calling it a mistake is generous. Willful ineptitude might be more apt. Despite being made aware of their issues, PSA continues to grade the same fakes over and over again. If PSA really cared about the issue they would either train their graders better or create a system whereby certain sets are only reviewed by the handful of graders with the expertise to assess them properly. But unfortunately from what I can tell, PSA won't address any issues with their grading unless it affects their bottom line.

BGS seems to be even worse though, as sad as that sounds...

[dustin42]

Pumping out more graded cards is the only way for them to stay in business. There is only a limited supply of really high-end cards so they have to resort to fraud to keep pumping out ones people think they can make a killing on.

When people see the prices on these fakes and or altered/trimmed cards they think they can make a ton by submitting cards which makes TPG more money.

Never get cheated.

[Starman101]

Originally Posted by rogermaris

BGS seems to be even worse though, as sad as that sounds...

Yep

That 9.5 Championship PMG is still listed in BGS database as well

Unreal

[bberns]

Sometimes I get the urge to pick up a big late 90s card and then I remember threads like this and get scared. Still haven't pulled the trigger and not sure that I ever will.

[rogermaris]

Main post has been updated with the Hoops Starting 5 set. Thanks to phdbeckett for the info.

This fake 1998-99 Hoops Starting 5 Kobe Bryant is currently listed on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-Hoops-...EAAOSwf8RdSgIo

[rogermaris]

These were posted in the last thread; moving them here since I believe they're all still listed.

Fake 1996-97 Ultra Platinum Medallion Kobe Bryant:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-97-Ult...QAAOSwvd9d~ZJK





Fake 1996-97 Ultra Platinum Medallion Michael Jordan:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-97-Fle...gAAOSwi5VeDk~1





Fake 1998-99 Skybox Thunder Rave Michael Jordan:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Michael-Jor...ty!90230!US!-1





Fake 1998-99 Skybox Thunder Rave Scottie Pippen:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SSP-THUNDER...UAAOSwkP1dxK4I

[mindcycle]

Thanks for all your work on this!

[HoustOM]

This thread is great.
Somehow fakes seem limited to few high-end sets and specific players, is that right? I thought there would be many more...

[rogermaris]

Originally Posted by HoustOM

Somehow fakes seem limited to few high-end sets and specific players, is that right? I thought there would be many more...

Correct. It seems to be the same 5-6 players over and over again, and only limited to high-end parallel/insert sets.

If you collect other players, or if you stick to mid/low-end cards, then you don't need to worry. I have a feeling producing these high-end counterfeits is extremely time consuming and expensive, so the other stuff probably just isn't worth their time.

[HoustOM]

Originally Posted by rogermaris

Correct. It seems to be the same 5-6 players over and over again, and only limited to high-end parallel/insert sets.

If you collect other players, or if you stick to mid/low-end cards, then you don't need to worry. I have a feeling producing these high-end counterfeits is extremely time consuming and expensive, so the other stuff probably just isn't worth their time.

Or maybe it is cheaper and easier to fake patches and autos...with higher benefits...

[artyman60]

I can provide an example of a 97-98 skybox rubies keith van horn if you want to add the pics. Pretty sure it's a backdoored/ bankruptcy card with an added serial number and graded by beckett.

[rogermaris]

Originally Posted by artyman60

I can provide an example of a 97-98 skybox rubies keith van horn if you want to add the pics. Pretty sure it's a backdoored/ bankruptcy card with an added serial number and graded by beckett.

If it's 11/50, I just added it to the post. But if you have a better scan of the back I'll take it, thanks.

I also just updated the 1998-99 Star Ruby section with a backdoored Van Horn. Pictures are terrible though. Do you happen to know who owns those cards? I remember a Van Horn collector sent them to me; he owned both...

[artyman60]

Hope this worked

[lbj23]

Thanks for posting this thread! Extremely helpful information!!!