Before I continue, below are links showing hundreds of examples of forged Mickey Mantle baseballs, photos, etc. found on Ebay (the most dangerous place to buy autographs if you're a casual collector or impulse buyer).

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/ebay-mantle-dimaggi...

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/examples-of-mickey-...

https://live.autographmagazine.com/forum/topics/most-common-mantle-...

Check out this ugly forged Mickey Mantle baseball that was sold by Ebay seller 5thstreetpawnllc-5 for $425.00.

$425.00 down the toilet.

Who in their right mind spends $425.00 on crap like this.

The auction title reads "Rare Autographed Mickey Mantle Baseball..."

Two facts:

Authentic Mickey Mantle autographs are not rare; Mr. Mantle signed a ton of baseballs and other items.

Forged Mickey Mantle baseballs aren't rare either; there are more forged Mantle items than there are authentic pieces.

Now check out this forged Mickey Mantle baseball sold by Ebay seller 5thstreetpawnllc-5.

This is as ugly as it gets.

Anyone who claims this is authentic doesn't have a clue about autographs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285404126156?hash=item4273695bcc%3Ag%3A1S8...

I know three-year kids who could have penned a better forgery than this train wreck.