How to Tell If a Baseball Card Is Fake

Look up the card in a Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards or Beckett Almanac. Match the card's description to the card in question. Check the card's dimensions, including thickness, width and height.

Examine the corners and edges of the card. Check for imperfections in the card's cut. Genuine cards are machine cut, so the edges will be perfectly straight and the corners will be smooth.

Evaluate the toning and wear of a card. The paper or cardstock the card was printed on will age evenly. If there is uneven color, especially around the edges of the card, it is likely a fake.

Examine the image on the card with a magnifying glass. Examine dirt stains as well. Check to see if the image is made up of tiny dots rather than solid paint. If it is made up of tiny dots, that is an indication it is a fake.

Compare the white areas on the card. Early card manufacturers did not use white paint on the cards, so all of the white areas should be the same shade.

Check the card holder for the grading organization. Professional Sports Authenticators is the most respected organization; cards with high values should be graded through them.

Take the card to an expert. Many cards have small details specific to their manufacturer or card set that experts will be able to find.