Can graded cards be fake?

[ratsdm]

Title says it all really, if a card is in a Beckett of PSA graded case is it extremely unlikely to be fake?

 

[A_Iverson_I]

Can easily still be fake.... the companies only grade the condition of the card itself.

 

[hairyangryfella]

Beckett and PSA are the most trusted grading companies, so the card itself if graded by them is unlikely to be fake. The patch could be though...

Many other grading companies I wouldn't trust, as anybody can slab a card and make up a grade if they have the equipment...

 

[anakinleo]

I think it is a just a case of have a black sheep in the flock. Beckett and PSA are only as good as the people who work for them. Occasionally, you will hear horror stories about an inside job, doing replacements of card, grading cards which are not real or even swapping patches. Beckett and PSA are companies which have a good control over the grading process but as like many other companies, they run on a very lean structure.... perhaps too lean. Such cases are generally remote but they do pop up once in while. Just keep your eye on cards that may be too good to be true. Cheers Alex

 

[tss501]

Here is a fake graded example. The real Memorable Moments surface has a frosted texture to it and you can't make out the background that well. First the fake then my real one (ungraded). Plus I will give you the ebay link for the fake..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Michae..._Basketball&hash=item3a6fda13b8#ht_500wt_1054

 

[Mico]

Here is a fake graded example. The real Memorable Moments surface has a frosted texture to it and you can't make out the background that well. First the fake then my real one (ungraded). Plus I will give you the ebay link for the fake..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Michae..._Basketball&hash=item3a6fda13b8#ht_500wt_1054

Let me know if you ever want to sell this! Am trying to collect all 30 Game Dated MM

 

[graham]

Can easily still be fake.... the companies only grade the condition of the card itself.

Not true. From the PSA website

Trading Card Grading
Trading cards of all genres, both sports and non-sports, can be submitted to PSA. Once the card graders have determined the card to be genuine, they are then asked to determine whether or not the card shows evidence of doctoring. Doctoring is best described as the attempt to enhance the condition of a card by altering the condition, such as re-coloring or trimming.
Finally, assuming the card passes the first two stages, the experts are asked to grade the condition of the card on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being best. Once the grade is rendered, the card is then placed in a tamper-evident case which contains all the pertinent information on the label, including the unique certification number. A similar procedure is also used for collectible coins and pins.

And from Beckett

Why grade with BGS ?

Increases Value - Compare the secondary market prices of your favorite cards in raw and graded forms.

Preservation/Protection - Your BGS-graded cards are well-preserved in a unique, protective cardholder.

Authenticity - As part of the grading process, BGS authenticates your cards.

People's Choice - Beckett Grading Services has been named best grading service 6 years in a row by Card Trade readers.

Tamper Proof - Once a card has been graded and slabbed, the integrity of the card is protected from tampering.

Here is a fake graded example. The real Memorable Moments surface has a frosted texture to it and you can't make out the background that well. First the fake then my real one (ungraded). Plus I will give you the ebay link for the fake..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Michae..._Basketball&hash=item3a6fda13b8#ht_500wt_1054

That's not fake - that's just mislabeling on the label. Its a pet peeve of mine. I label the card correctly on the submission form and they still f*** it up on label. So you've got to look at the card and not the label. I've had it work in my favour also though

 

[A_Iverson_I]

I guess my bad then.....