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History Of Star Cards Authentication guides Set Profiles

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STAR BASKETBALL FAQ

They did for a while early on, but stopped once they realized they had graded some of the ‘Type II’ counterfeits. They decided not to take the risk anymore. However, in 2022, PSA announced they would start grading Star cards, joining Beckett (BGS) as the only graders willing to authenticate Star Company basketball cards.

Here are the Star basketball sets now eligible for grading by PSA: 1983 Star All Stars; 1983-84 Star; 1984-85 Star, 1984 Star Larry Bird; 1984 Star Celtics Champions; 1984 Star All Stars; 1984 Star Slam Dunk; 1984 Star All Star Game Denver Police; 1983-84 Star All Rookies; 1983-84 Star Sixers Champions; 1984 Star Award Banquet (label 1984); 1984 Star Arena Sets (Label all 1984 sans Celtics, which is 1984-85); 1984-85 Star Julius Erving; 1984-85 Star Mr. Z’s Pizza; 1985 Star Miller Lite; 1985 Star Coaches; 1985 Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; 1985 Star Gatorade; 1985 Star Crunch ‘n Munch; 1985-86 Star All Rookies; 1985 Star Rookie of the Year; 1985 Star Schick; 1985 Star Bucks Card Night; 1986 Star Bucks Lifebuoy; 1986 Star Nets Lifebuoy; 1985 Star Team Supers 5×7; 1985 Star Slam Dunk Supers 5×7; 1984-85 Star Court Kings Supers 5×7; 1986 Star Best of the Old; 1986 Star Court Kings’ 1984-85 Star Franz Bread; and 1985-86 Star Franz Bread.

In 1997, Robert Levin, the founder of Star, was selling cards on the Shop At Home Network. Levin claimed that the cards being sold were unearthed Star cards produced during the initial Star run from 83-86. However, the cards were newly printed and back dated to seem like older cards.

The numbers vary, but for each set the production runs (with exceptions) ran from 4,000 to 10,000 total sets. While Star stated the production runs for their sets at the time of issue, it is guesstimated that they might have produced more of their popular sets.

As a reminder, Type 2 Counterfeits were factory rejects that were stolen by former Star employees and released to the public. Type 2 Counterfeits include the following cards:

1985-86 Star Set #95-172 – 78 cards (this includes the #117 Jordan card and #166 Ewing XRC)
1985-86 Star Jordan 10 Card Set
1986 Star Best Of The New – 4 Card Set

There are an official 24 Star Michael Jordan basketball cards. There is one card that was unofficially released following Star’s actual years of operation (Best Of The New) and many don’t consider it a true Star issue.

Yes. I should clarify the word ‘counterfeit’ however. The ‘Type II’ Counterfeits are cards that were factory rejects, stolen by former employees and released into the hobby. These cards were printed using original Star printing plates. The ‘Shop At Home’ cards were counterfeits that were printed well after the issuance of the original Star sets, but backdated to appear like original issues. There are also counterfeit cards that are circulating that have been created by scammers, just like any other fake cards come into the hobby.

While Beckett popularized the term XRC (or Extended Rookie Card), many do consider the Star Jordan #101 card as his official rookie card. The argument goes that since it wasn’t released via wax packs or by a major distributor it shouldn’t be considered a rookie card. However, Star at the time, was an NBA licensed card issuer and thus many believe that it should warrant consideration as his true rookie card.

Star’s license to produce cards for the NBA ended following the 1986 season. They released some unlicensed NBA cards in the early 90’s and some baseball cards around the same time. They were out of business soon thereafter, and Robert Levin was sued by the NBA in 1998.

Founded by Bill Schonsheck, Schonco Sports is most recognized as the firm that acquired the collection of Star founder Robert Levin in the early 1990’s. Some Beckett graded Star cards are labeled as ‘Schonco Sports’ on the back and it was the release of Schonco’s collection in 2008 that got Beckett to start grading Star cards.

This is of course, a highly personal decision that is based on overall budget and risk tolerance. I personally like the investment potential for Jordan’s Star basketball cards, given the relative scarcity versus many of his more popular Fleer issues.

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Shop At Home Cards To Avoid

In 1997, Robert Levin, the founder of Star, sold cards on the Shop At Home Network. There were newly printed cards and not the originals. Please avoid these at all costs, unless purchasing for as a collector’s item.