Gretzky rookie help

rob80 · 08-02-2021, 09:13 PM

Came across some hockey cards in a collection I picked up and there was OPC Gretzky rookie in with some other 80s hockey rookies. I have never seen a Gretzky rookie in person and know they are heavily faked. I read the beckett article on things to look for and everything seems to check out. One thing that was odd though was the state of the edges, see picture.

Any experts on here that can help out with their opinion?

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CardPadre · 08-02-2021, 10:59 PM

Nice card, well centered, some light surface wrinkles, edges are fine...probably grade a 4 I'd think, maybe 3.

pip · 08-02-2021, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardPadre

Nice card, well centered, some light surface wrinkles, edges are fine...probably grade a 4 I'd think, maybe 3.

I think the "surface wrinkles" are from the glare. The card looks authentic to me and would likely grade in the 4 to 5 range, absent some hidden defect. The rough cut is normal for OPC cards from that era.

CardPadre · 08-02-2021, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pip

I think the "surface wrinkles" are from the glare. The card looks authentic to me and would likely grade in the 4 to 5 range, absent some hidden defect. The rough cut is normal for OPC cards from that era.

Yeah, could be. The cards do often have a general wavy-ness to the surface, a couple just looked a little stronger in the light…but a 4 was my gut impression overall of it.

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Davis · 08-03-2021, 08:18 AM

Wayne looks to be legit, as do the others. Nice card!

hxcmilkshake · 08-03-2021, 08:49 AM

Take the others out of the screwdowns before offering. The 2nd year Wayne looks sharp.

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valleynuckfan · 08-03-2021, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pip

.... The rough cut is normal for OPC cards from that era.

Sure the rough cut is typical of the era but these edges also look like they have chipping and other wear that occurred over time from being passed around and handled. Edges do not have a clean look as they would from the factory out of a pack.

pip · 08-03-2021, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valleynuckfan

Sure the rough cut is typical of the era but these edges also look like they have chipping and other wear that occurred over time from being passed around and handled. Edges do not have a clean look as they would from the factory out of a pack.

It depends on when the card was produced. Earlier in the print run = smoother edges; later in the print run = rougher edges. I have plenty of 1979-80 OPC that look like that.

clsports · 08-05-2021, 07:20 AM

Those OPC Hulls were heavily faked as well. I do not recall all of the indicators to determine the originals, but I do recall the print dot pattern on the pin was one indicator. I know this because we got stuck with a bunch in the 90's.

The edge chipping on the OPC Gretzky was quite common.

dantheman514 · 08-05-2021, 09:40 AM

I would get those Gretzkys and Mario graded at PSA. At the very least, if you plan on selling, you should definitely send the Gretzky rookie to PSA.

f2tornado · 08-05-2021, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob80

One thing that was odd though was the state of the edges, see picture.

I'd be concerned if the card didn't have rough cut looking edges. Those old wire cuts are tough to replicate and also suggest the card wasn't trimmed.

Retired hobbist · 08-18-2021, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob80

Came across some hockey cards in a collection I picked up and there was OPC Gretzky rookie in with some other 80s hockey rookies. I have never seen a Gretzky rookie in person and know they are heavily faked. I read the beckett article on things to look for and everything seems to check out. One thing that was odd though was the state of the edges, see picture.

Any experts on here that can help out with their opinion?

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk

The Gretzky looks real, the fakes that I have seen have too bright colours and of course have flawless corners(especially fakes printed around 90'). These days with the way prices have exploded if I was counterfeiting the card I would probably do a lower grade fake as people wouldn't scrutinize the card as heavily as a PSA 6+.

creasecollector · 08-18-2021, 11:09 PM

The Gretzky looks legit. Awesome pickups here!

signed79 · 08-19-2021, 07:58 AM

Authentic Gretzky. Congrats! Should grade PSA 3 to 5 and sell at a grade to grade and a half higher since it has amazing eye appeal with great centering (as well as a centered oil drop in the logo which is more difficult to find).

08-02-2021, 09:13 PM	#1
rob80 Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 759 dj-relik	Gretzky rookie help Came across some hockey cards in a collection I picked up and there was OPC Gretzky rookie in with some other 80s hockey rookies. I have never seen a Gretzky rookie in person and know they are heavily faked. I read the beckett article on things to look for and everything seems to check out. One thing that was odd though was the state of the edges, see picture. Any experts on here that can help out with their opinion? Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk __________________ Wants: Comics ( Keys, CGC, Artgerm/Parillo/Mattina/Dell'Otto covers) Check my eBay, tons more listed there.

08-05-2021, 07:20 AM	#9
clsports Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 645 CLSPORTS	Those OPC Hulls were heavily faked as well. I do not recall all of the indicators to determine the originals, but I do recall the print dot pattern on the pin was one indicator. I know this because we got stuck with a bunch in the 90's. The edge chipping on the OPC Gretzky was quite common. Last edited by clsports; 08-06-2021 at 08:36 AM.

08-18-2021, 11:09 PM	#13
creasecollector Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,594 creasecollector	The Gretzky looks legit. Awesome pickups here! __________________ Collecting: Jhonas Enroth View my Collections, Traders & Wantlist: creasecollector.weebly.com Co-Host of the Center Ice Card Cast - A Hockey Card Podcast Instagram/Twitter: @creasecollector

08-02-2021, 10:59 PM	#2
CardPadre Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: San Diego/Albuquerque Posts: 356 CardPadre	Nice card, well centered, some light surface wrinkles, edges are fine...probably grade a 4 I'd think, maybe 3.

08-03-2021, 08:18 AM	#5
Davis Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Denver Posts: 6,515	Wayne looks to be legit, as do the others. Nice card!

08-03-2021, 08:49 AM	#6
hxcmilkshake Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Apopka FL Posts: 11,505 hxcmilkshake	Take the others out of the screwdowns before offering. The 2nd year Wayne looks sharp. Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

08-05-2021, 09:40 AM	#10
dantheman514 Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Motor City Posts: 1,107 dantheman514	I would get those Gretzkys and Mario graded at PSA. At the very least, if you plan on selling, you should definitely send the Gretzky rookie to PSA.

08-19-2021, 07:58 AM	#14
signed79 Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA Posts: 513	Authentic Gretzky. Congrats! Should grade PSA 3 to 5 and sell at a grade to grade and a half higher since it has amazing eye appeal with great centering (as well as a centered oil drop in the logo which is more difficult to find).