Alleged Card Trimmer and Former PSA Employee Mike Souza Exposed— eBay ID= 9999rbush

[DragonWagon]

Altered 1996 Tiger Woods #536 SI For Kids BGS 10 cert# 0004022955
https://app.rallyrd.com/app/assets/b...fed769274/view

[DragonWagon]

Not a good look for sgc
https://x.com/sgcgrading/status/1731...3SgQM3wD3xMmVg

[pspa123]

They don't tear out of the mags looking like that.

[auburn35]

Nice catch, too bad REA overlooked the grading error, when it was sold last year.

https://robertedwardauctions.com/auc...gc-gem-mint-10



Example from a previously discussed REA description.

[Thunderdunk]

Originally Posted by Saraste

I was poking around and I found a BGS 9.5 that appears was graded just after the time frame posted. It is #5317567.

https://d1w8cc2yygc27j.cloudfront.ne...8155646225.jpg

Here is a BGS 9.5 from the time frame that is not on the list: #4687181. This makes me wonder if #4687180 is also one as #4687179 is on the list.

https://dyn1.heritagestatic.com/lf?s...oduct.chain%5D

Here is another BGS 9.5 not on the list from the timeframe: #4132695.

http://www.smalltraditions.com/ItemI..._1873a_lg.jpeg

Originally Posted by superdan49

I think that last one is not on the list because it was the card that was bumped from a BGS 9.5 to a BGS 10. It seems Small Traditions sold the BGS 9.5, the winner bumped it, and consigned it back to Small Traditions.

BGS 9.5: http://www.smalltraditions.com/LotDe...ventoryid=1873
BGS 10: https://smalltraditions.com/LotDetai...ventoryid=5363




The card was first bought at Mile High Card Company in October 2012 for $1,279. Looks like whoever sold the BGS 9.5 at Small Traditions took a small loss. I wonder who won it and then bumped it? Weird.
http://www.milehighcardco.com/1996_s...-lot25442.aspx

.

Looks like the 9.5 that was bumped to a BGS 10, is now for sale at Goldin. Looks to be trimmed and altered as well as it has 28 across the top. As shown above in 2019, there are several of these.

https://goldin.co/item/1996-sports-i...bgs-pristnv2m9

I sound like a broken record but I would avoid all Si Kids cards and especially the Tigers. BGS # 4687181

[superdan49]

Beckett is correct— the guy did a pristine job in re-perfing the SI Tiger.

My regret with how these Tiger cards were uncovered is that I did so in a thread about a trimmer. These deserve more attention as this is a famous card, and the vast majority of all mint or better graded examples are altered.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by superdan49

Beckett was right, the guy did a pristine job in re-perfing the SI Tiger.

My regret with how these Tiger cards were uncovered is that I did so in a thread about a trimmer. These deserve more attention as this is a famous card, and the vast majority of all mint or better graded copies are altered.

Is this the only example of a prominent modern card's high grades being almost exclusively altered?

[auburn35]

Originally Posted by Thunderdunk

Looks like the 9.5 that was bumped to a BGS 10, is now for sale at Goldin. Looks to be trimmed and altered as well as it has 28 across the top. As shown above in 2019, there are several of these.

https://goldin.co/item/1996-sports-i...bgs-pristnv2m9

I sound like a broken record but I would avoid all Si Kids cards and especially the Tigers. BGS # 4687181

Yeah, I also noticed the listing and tagged Goldin on Twitter, with the re-perforation info. Goldin has pulled other copies, so maybe they will eventually notice the issues on this one.

Here's a post, regarding the specific card, up for auction.

Originally Posted by superdan49

Currently for sale on eBay from seller cardguy444
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-Tiger-.../193045850592?


Note that the BGS 10 currently for sale from Cardguy444 was once a BGS 9.5 that Beckett bumped up to a BGS 10. BGS only lists the "bump" date, which was May 26, 2011. Based on its serial number, it was graded in late 2006. I believe all BGS 9.5 Gem Mint examples of this card from 2005-07 also should be examined for re-perforation and many are also likely altered.

[corndog]

This one is ending tonight on Goldin (Lot #35). Current bid - $22,000.00
28 perf teeth across the top.
39 down the right side.

Link to auction: https://goldin.co/item/1996-sports-i...giOjEwfQ%3D%3D

[auburn35]

Goldin let the previous one (BGS) sell, but maybe this PSA 10 will catch their attention. PSA deactivated (detected the alteration?) one of the prior Goldin listings from the same suspected source of this copy.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showpo...&postcount=595

https://goldin.co/item/1996-sports-i...iger-wood7xeoy

[hammerva]

I assume it was mentioned at other places but apparently "altering" cards is now acceptable for PSA as a couple of employees are openly giving a shot out this Kurts card place which specializes it

[daveyc1]

Originally Posted by hammerva

I assume it was mentioned at other places but apparently "altering" cards is now acceptable for PSA as a couple of employees are openly giving a shot out this Kurts card place which specializes it

I haven't seen this. can you link the source? I am very interested to read this.

[hammerva]

It isn't really something to read. I am not sure where it originated but I can assume it wasn't something "caught on camera"

https://twitter.com/theshowandme/sta...35988805218631

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by daveyc1

I haven't seen this. can you link the source? I am very interested to read this.

Plenty of videos coming out about it:

https://youtu.be/wl3lcEF2tKM?si=RLhXU65Tq5kUzWwk

https://youtu.be/rrhsBm_VA6w?si=6JFvuGlEmVpRjj5z

https://youtu.be/MSqpSpQyYt8?t=361

[auburn35]

Originally Posted by hammerva

I assume it was mentioned at other places but apparently "altering" cards is now acceptable for PSA as a couple of employees are openly giving a shot out this Kurts card place which specializes it

I think I've posted this before, but with the apparent increase in "cleaning", "restoring", altering,.... I'm interested to see if/when buyers use this California law. Haven't seen any use examples, but a refund + up to $5000 per card might change some opinions on undisclosed "cleaning".


Here's a twitter thread discussing another similar statute, regarding counterfeit cards.

https://x.com/Paul_Lesko/status/1681...546567168?s=20

[corndog]

Fascinating.
I wonder if it has ever been tested and would apply to cards altered before legislation was passed.
Quite a few card trimmers in California.

[superdan49]

Originally Posted by auburn35

I think I've posted this before, but with the apparent increase in "cleaning", "restoring", altering,.... I'm interested to see if/when buyers use this California law. Haven't seen any use examples, but a refund + up to $5000 per card might change some opinions on undisclosed "cleaning".


Here's a twitter thread discussing another similar statute, regarding counterfeit cards.

https://x.com/Paul_Lesko/status/1681...546567168?s=20

Perhaps when PSA buys Kurt's Kard Kare they can rename it Nat's Nick Negator and base it out of their new Boca Raton offices away from CA laws.

[auburn35]

Originally Posted by corndog

Fascinating.
I wonder if it has ever been tested and would apply to cards altered before legislation was passed.
Quite a few card trimmers in California.

Good question. Appears to have been around since the early 90's, so even if it doesn't cover prior work, the window is still very large. I haven't been able to locate any case examples.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...ctionNum=21671.

ARTICLE 7. Sports Trading Cards [21670 - 21672] ( Article 7 added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1120, Sec. 2. )

21671.
(a) Any sports trading card that is altered or refurbished shall be accompanied by a certificate stating the exact work done to the sports trading card, the date the work was performed, the cost of that work, and the name, phone number, and address of the person who performed the work.

(b) Any person or agent thereof, who knowingly sells or trades a sports card in violation of subdivision (a), shall both:

(1) Refund to the buyer, the full amount paid for the altered or refurbished sports trading card or the full retail value of any nonmonetary consideration received in exchange for the altered or refurbished sports trading card, or both.

(2) Be liable to the buyer for a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation. Each card sold represents a separate and distinct violation.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 360, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)

21670.
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Altered or refurbished” means repair work which has been performed to enhance the value of the sports trading card as a collectible. This work includes, but is not limited to, filling in holes, building new corners, ironing out creases, or touching up the pictures or borders on the sports trading card.

(b) “Legitimate sports trading card” means any card produced for use in commerce, that contains a company name or team logo, or both, and an image, representation, or facsimile of one or more players or other team member or members in any pose, and is produced pursuant to an appropriate licensing agreement.

(c) “Counterfeit sports trading card” means any card, produced for use in commerce, without appropriate licensing authority, which is a forgery, copy, or imitation of a legitimate sports trading card, produced without authority or right, and with the intention of passing the card for that which is original or genuine.

(d) “Unlicensed sports trading card” means any card that is produced for use in commerce, without proper licensing authority. This definition specifically excludes cards which are bound in publications.

(e) “Appropriate licensing authority” means express, written permission to manufacture, produce, distribute, and sell the sports trading card, as granted by the valid owner or owners of the licensing rights of any image, work, term, name, symbol, logo, or insignia that appears on the sports trading card.

(Added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 1120, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1993.)

[fabiani12333]

That's interesting. Kurt's Card Care could get dragged into a future legal case.

[Thunderdunk]

And another Tiger Woods Kids Card that looks to be Trimmed and Altered being sold on Goldin. 28 across the top.

I sound like a broken record but I would never buy any SI Kids Card in high grade. Not only did PSA stop grading the Tiger Kids Card for over 10 years to - this artificially kept the pop report low for high grades, but most are trimmed and altered. All you need to know is on page 6 of this current thread. So much manipulation around these kids cards.

PSA # 50046743

https://goldin.co/item/1996-sports-i...d7xeoy?queryId



See post #127 in the thread below for more info on how this is identifiable

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...8#post14960658

[Bruins1993]

Never get cheated!

[DragonWagon]

All added to the Altered Card Database

[auburn35]

Originally Posted by Thunderdunk

And another Tiger Woods Kids Card that looks to be Trimmed and Altered being sold on Goldin. 28 across the top.

I sound like a broken record but I would never buy any SI Kids Card in high grade. Not only did PSA stop grading the Tiger Kids Card for over 10 years to - this artificially kept the pop report low for high grades, but most are trimmed and altered. All you need to know is on page 6 of this current thread. So much manipulation around these kids cards.

PSA # 50046743

https://goldin.co/item/1996-sports-i...d7xeoy?queryId



See post #127 in the thread below for more info on how this is identifiable

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showth...8#post14960658

Humorously, it appears that psa/ken waited until just before the auction ends, to at least review the Tiger.
Auction is still active but the psa cert was recently deactivated (today?).

https://www.psacard.com/cert/50046743

[DragonWagon]

This card has FAILED the PSA review and is no longer up for auction.

[Bruins1993]

Originally Posted by DragonWagon

This card has FAILED the PSA review and is no longer up for auction.

Anyway to tell what other cards were submitted with this one to PSA or is that Top-Secret information now? Just like the submitter name is top-secret and submission date.

Is the consigner name at Golden Top-Secret also? How many other cards did they consign with this one at Golden? Oh yeah, Top-Secret information?