Iconic Ink cards that aren’t from Panini are not real autographs, as they are stated to be “Facsimile Autographs” on the back of the cards. Iconic Ink Autographs from the Panini Absolute brand of cards are real, however. While the differences in look and design of the cards is apparent, always check the card backs for the Panini guarantee to ensure the autograph in in fact real.
Let’s take a look at some examples.
Iconic Ink Facsimile Autographs
I’m guessing that most of you reading this have probably seen cards like these shown below. And as mentioned above, these are not real autographs, but “facsimile autographs” as stated on the back.
This is a Kyler Murray currently for sale on Amazon. The title of this card listing is “Iconic Ink Kyler Murray 2019 Autograph Edition Rookie Card!”
Now, on one hand, the listing doesn’t make any mention of this being a fake or facsimile autograph, and the signature itself on the front of the card looks pretty crisp.
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On the other hand, the price of the card is $5.95. Even if you’re just getting started in card collecting, the price tag should be a major clue that this is not an authentic autograph, given that most autos even from everyday common players are barely available for that low of a price, let alone a Kyler Murray auto that would be in the hundreds.
Further down in the product description, you’ll see “Signatures are stamped facsimile signatures not hand signed” and the back of the card clearly states “Facsimile Autograph Edition.”
Panini Iconic Ink Autographs
Switching gears and looking at the “Iconic Ink” cards that you can find in Panini’s Absolute brand of cards, these are guaranteed authentic autographs from Panini. (Absolute football is also where you want to look for packs that might contain Kaboom inserts.)
Here is a 2022 Panini Absolute Iconic Ink Fernando Tatis card from COMC.com:
As you can see from the front of the card, even on a sticker, the autograph looks more authentic and hand-printed. You can also clearly see the “Absolute Memorabilia” logo on the front.
To be sure, though, flip the card over and take a look:
Here you’ll see multiple mentions of the Panini card brand, along with the statement “The autograph is guaranteed by Panini America, Inc.” Thus, this is an authentic autograph.
Now, can someone reproduce a Panini Iconic Ink autograph card and try to pass it off as authentic where it is in fact a fake? Of course. But at the heart of the question, the Iconic Ink autographs that say they are “facsimile” autographs are in fact facsimile autographs, and the authentic Panini Iconic Ink cards from Absolute are real.
