Upper Deck introduces new authentication and security features with Rookie Patch Autographs series

I like this idea and I'm glad Upper Deck is taking these steps to protect collectors against patch faking on these high-end cards.

We will see how a program like these evolves into the future.
 
Love the idea but unsure on the execution. Those slabs are fugly. An online public database anyone can access wouldve accomplished the same thing. I miss ITG doing it right with the beckett slabs.
 
SkyFire47 said:
Love the idea but unsure on the execution. Those slabs are fugly. An online public database anyone can access wouldve accomplished the same thing. I miss ITG doing it right with the beckett slabs.
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I agree that a public online database of all the card images would have been suitable and a 'cleaner' execution of an initiative like this.

Still, hats off to UD though. It's great they are bringing something to the table as a major manufacturer.
 
It's interesting that they are doing the slab and the photograph database. I don't think it will impact the collectability of the cards at all - if people don't like the slabs, they can bust them out, but of course at the risk of losing provenance.

I am a little worried about the quality control before the cards hit the slabs... Are you going to be able to discern looking at the card through the slab when purchasing the true condition of the card?

We'll see how it goes, but kudos to them for doing something new.

Cory
 
I see the biggest potential concern going forward being preservation of that chain of accountability after grading.
 
MMarch said:
Cool, only two decades late but hey, it’s the thought that counts…. In all seriousness, does it really matter when 98% of UD materials are not game used?
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Yes, it does. There is at least a tenuous chain of connection back to whichever player...as opposed to a Wal-Mart.
 
Love what they are doing to prevent patch faking... I just wish they would take photos of all the patches instead of encasing them (with due respect its not visually apppealing the slabs they are in)

Someone w/ bad intentions could easily pull player x one color, swap it, list it and say they lost the "blue tag" but someone would still purchase it for a premium trusting them. Where as if everything is public is obvious its not legit

edit- others have said the same
 
Am I the only one that reads in the article they are encapsulating AND photographing?? With a photo database? Someone please explain what I’m misinterpreting.
 
I think it's a great effort addressing a long-standing problem - just feels a bit overdone than necessary. Patch faking - definitely a problem, especially with the Bedard Cup RPA being game-worn this year. Top patches would've absolutely commanded an extra premium so very happy to see them address it by doing this. You get the slab for authenticity + they've gotten scans of it so there's no way to actually fake a patch so long as you can find the original scan/serial number.

A couple friction points to me:
  1. Slabbed cards - while it'll be impossible to fake now that you can look up the serial number to see the original scan, I feel like breaking the slab could cause some collectors issues. Probably most won't have an issue but all it takes is one mistake and you've got a damaged card now. I would've preferred a photograph database with the cards coming in a sealed one touch ala Clear Cut or Panini Flawless.
  2. The database and codes - what happens if the code gets lost and no one has a photography of the original slabbed card? Will graders add the serial code to the labels? Will UD have a database that you can cross-reference against, either by contacting them or on their website...?
Overall - better late than never and I'm glad something like this is finally here. Not the way I would've rolled it out or implemented it but it more than likely achieves what it needs to. Just feels overdone.
 
I would like to see perhaps a move away from the slab. That QR code could be printed on the card back, then the chain of accountability is integral to the card. Or, perhaps a picture of the card front is printed in miniature onto the card back. That second one may be more complex than is feasible at this time.
 
After watching the interview that Jeremy posted, I understand the reasoning UD has in not making it a public database, or I guess, wanting to allow for the thrill of the reveal. I disagree with it, but I understand their reasoning. I think if they wanted to engage collectors further though, why not, once a code has been searched (presumably) by the initial breaker, make it available to the public? I also like Steve's idea about incorporating the provenance on the card instead of the slab.

Cory
 
will-411 said:
After watching the interview that Jeremy posted, I understand the reasoning UD has in not making it a public database, or I guess, wanting to allow for the thrill of the reveal. I disagree with it, but I understand their reasoning. I think if they wanted to engage collectors further though, why not, once a code has been searched (presumably) by the initial breaker, make it available to the public? I also like Steve's idea about incorporating the provenance on the card instead of the slab.

Cory
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I'd suggest that it's also scalable: something that they could do for EVERY patch card they produce. And wouldn't require slabbing.
 

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