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DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 777 — Real vs Fake: Spotting Counterfeit Graded Slabs (Cards, Comics, Coins)
Evaluating graded slabs is one of the areas where collectors make the most financially damaging mistakes. Modern counterfeit slabs—across cards, comics, and coins—have become increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking label formatting, plastic molding, weld seams, internal wells, and even serial numbers so convincingly that inexperienced buyers assume authenticity at a glance.
Because counterfeit slabs rely on subtle deviations in construction, printing, and inner presentation, understanding how to evaluate these features correctly is essential for preventing costly misidentification and protecting your collection.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 777 gives you a complete, beginner-friendly, non-destructive workflow for identifying counterfeit graded slabs across cards, comics, and coins. Using simple visual techniques—no specialized tools, no risky handling, and no prior experience required—you’ll learn the same observational methods used in professional authentication work—structured, repeatable, and proven across all major grading-holder formats.
Inside this guide, you’ll learn how to:
Identify the core traits that separate authentic slabs from counterfeits
Spot hidden details, hidden defects, and plastic irregularities that reveal imitation
Recognize weld seams, joints, and corner construction unique to real holders
Evaluate label printing, font structure, ink crispness, and alignment accuracy
Detect reused or improperly formatted serial numbers
Understand inner-well construction across cards, comics, and coins
Assess item orientation, centering, and interior debris indicators
Identify category-specific red flags for each type of slab
Avoid destructive testing mistakes that damage holders or items
Apply the full DJR step-by-step workflow to evaluate any suspicious slab
Whether you're reviewing a single slab, purchasing from online marketplaces, evaluating a collection, or checking items for authenticity before resale, this guide provides the expert structure needed to identify counterfeit holders safely and confidently. This is the framework professionals use—and now you can use the same process with confidence.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access
Evaluating graded slabs is one of the areas where collectors make the most financially damaging mistakes. Modern counterfeit slabs—across cards, comics, and coins—have become increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking label formatting, plastic molding, weld seams, internal wells, and even serial numbers so convincingly that inexperienced buyers assume authenticity at a glance.
Because counterfeit slabs rely on subtle deviations in construction, printing, and inner presentation, understanding how to evaluate these features correctly is essential for preventing costly misidentification and protecting your collection.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 777 gives you a complete, beginner-friendly, non-destructive workflow for identifying counterfeit graded slabs across cards, comics, and coins. Using simple visual techniques—no specialized tools, no risky handling, and no prior experience required—you’ll learn the same observational methods used in professional authentication work—structured, repeatable, and proven across all major grading-holder formats.
Inside this guide, you’ll learn how to:
Identify the core traits that separate authentic slabs from counterfeits
Spot hidden details, hidden defects, and plastic irregularities that reveal imitation
Recognize weld seams, joints, and corner construction unique to real holders
Evaluate label printing, font structure, ink crispness, and alignment accuracy
Detect reused or improperly formatted serial numbers
Understand inner-well construction across cards, comics, and coins
Assess item orientation, centering, and interior debris indicators
Identify category-specific red flags for each type of slab
Avoid destructive testing mistakes that damage holders or items
Apply the full DJR step-by-step workflow to evaluate any suspicious slab
Whether you're reviewing a single slab, purchasing from online marketplaces, evaluating a collection, or checking items for authenticity before resale, this guide provides the expert structure needed to identify counterfeit holders safely and confidently. This is the framework professionals use—and now you can use the same process with confidence.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access