An Explanation of "Print Run Consistency" Using a 2006-07 LeBron Exquisite Patch auto

[Deadshot]

Over the last couple years, I’ve had a lot of people message me for opinions on patch cards. My first response is generally, “What’s the rest of the print run look like?” Looking at the rest of the print run is a chance to sort of look at the "bigger picture.”

I created this video to show part of my process for researching a high-end patch auto. The card I used was the 2006-07 LeBron James Exquisite patch auto /100.



As you’ll see in the video, I found pictures of 30 copies. I felt like that was a big enough sample size to get a feel for the entire print run.

What I discovered was some consistency even among the differences. Some patches were trim, some were from nameplate pieces, some were from logo pieces, and some were from jersey numbers. Regardless, 29 of the 30 all came from a white uniform. What a potential buyer chooses to think about the red jersey piece with different stitching...is up to them.



I know some of you are already familiar with this process, but I figure a few people might benefit from it.

[BlockShotStop]

Solid work, as always. It’s just an insane bummer that it’s necessary.

[hairyangryfella]

I mean, you just look at that red patch and it looks off...

[boxbuster7]

So your basically insinuating that that BGS 9.5 has a switched out patch? Crazy somebody would ruin a card like that.

[mjohnatgt]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

So your basically insinuating that that BGS 9.5 has a switched out patch? Crazy somebody would ruin a card like that.

Read more threads. There are hundreds of these types of situations that have been revealed on blowout in the last 5 years. And back when many of these patches were swapped, the values of the cards were much lower. Sometimes trying to make a card from $100 into a $250 card, then the entire market 100x'd and now you think of it as a $25K card.

[Deadshot]

Originally Posted by hairyangryfella

I mean, you just look at that red patch and it looks off...

Because you have experience with this kind of stuff. But there are a lot of people that need more info to come to that conclusion (auction houses included).

[bmf]

Originally Posted by Deadshot

Because you have experience with this kind of stuff. But there are a lot of people that need more info to come to that conclusion (auction houses included).

Unfortunately I will bet most collectors look at the card and think: sick patch! That’s why the scammers do it. If people didn’t fall for it then there would be no financial gain and it would stop. Thanks as always DS.

[Deadshot]

Originally Posted by bmf

Unfortunately I will bet most collectors look at the card and think: sick patch! That’s why the scammers do it. If people didn’t fall for it then there would be no financial gain and it would stop. Thanks as always DS.

Grading companies, too. I know they've said they don't authenticate patches, but I've seen some recent rejections that indicate otherwise. They're just not super consistent yet.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by mjohnatgt

Read more threads. There are hundreds of these types of situations that have been revealed on blowout in the last 5 years. And back when many of these patches were swapped, the values of the cards were much lower. Sometimes trying to make a card from $100 into a $250 card, then the entire market 100x'd and now you think of it as a $25K card.

I see your position, but a Lebron exquisite patch autograph was never under $3,000 dollars. So the person that did this probably never thought they'd get caught.

[mjohnatgt]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

I see your position, but a Lebron exquisite patch autograph was never under $3,000 dollars. So the person that did this probably never thought they'd get caught.

Like I said, this is one of hundreds of examples of cards with swapped patches. Multiply each side by 5x, whatever. People will scam at all ends of the spectrum.

[mjohnatgt]

Originally Posted by Deadshot

I know they've said they don't authenticate patches, but I've seen some recent rejections that indicate otherwise.

I've said in other threads, if they are not authenticating the patch and/or autograph to be real and original to the card, then they should disclose that directly, either on the slab front or back, or when you look up the card in their cert lookup page.

I would love to see third party grading companies actually authenticate the card, the auto, and the patch when they give a number grade. So many cards were approved years ago when the values were minimal, and now those slabs are being passed around for millions of dollars without proper authentication. And good luck getting reimbursed by any company when visual evidence proves the card was tampered.

[phdbeckett]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

I see your position, but a Lebron exquisite patch autograph was never under $3,000 dollars. So the person that did this probably never thought they'd get caught.

Yes they were. I bet close to a thousand sold for under 1500. Some for just a couple hundred. His RPA /99 even sold for 2-3k

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by phdbeckett

Yes they were. I bet close to a thousand sold for under 1500. Some for just a couple hundred. His RPA /99 even sold for 2-3k

A box of equisite was $500-$750. I believe the RPA sold for 2-3k back in 2003, but by 2006 he was the best player in the league. You're telling me that card only paid for 2 boxes?

[phdbeckett]

We are referring to All varieties of his exquisite patch autographs. From 2004-2009 issues as well. Most were well under $1000 even 7 years ago.

[Deadshot]

This isn't the same card, but here are some 2005 LL sales from the 2006-2007 range (via Card Ladder). There's no sense going back and forth on this stuff when the info can be looked up.

[boxbuster7]

Wow...those sales are crazy. Guess some of those early sales were happy to get the price of the box back.

[mindcycle]

Great video man, I like that process a lot.

[isles4life]

Originally Posted by phdbeckett

Yes they were. I bet close to a thousand sold for under 1500. Some for just a couple hundred. His RPA /99 even sold for 2-3k

When LeBron first came to the Heat (granted almost everyone hated him), I paid $315 on eBay for a 3 color 2005-06 Exquisite Auto Patch /100.

[Archangel1775]

I'll throw this out there, I opened a 2006 SP Authentic box and got an RPA of some rookie that had a logo patch of some kind. It was regularly numbered to /599 or something. The patch looked like something you'd expect out of a /25 card.

[sethc1020]

Awesome Work as always!! And I love the Sesame Street reference!!!

[Deadshot]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

I'll throw this out there, I opened a 2006 SP Authentic box and got an RPA of some rookie that had a logo patch of some kind. It was regularly numbered to /599 or something. The patch looked like something you'd expect out of a /25 card.

Patch consistency gets a lot tougher with larger print runs because the number of jerseys and jersey types likely increase. Take the Kawhi NT RPA for example. They used white and black jerseys.

[Deadshot]

One of these is up for sale with PWCC this month. I figure this is a good time to bump this thread.

[waulk11]

Nice card if the patch was not removed/replaced? I'm just jelly.