T212 (Stamped Back) Cards

Does anybody have a theory or know why so many T212's (Especially T212-2's) have Purple Stamps on the back.
Was this stamp applied at the Factory, Retailer, or Collector?
I have noticed they are so common that SGC doesn't even down grade for this stamp and to my knowledge the only qualifier they add to their flips.
Just trying to understand this mystery.

Hi Jerry,

I think they were applied at the factory by the person who handled that particular card. I always assumed it was for quality control; to make sure that the cards didn't leave the factory without a back, or severely miscut, etc. But, that doesn't explain only some of them are stamped.

Many non-sports sets have a factory stamp as well, but with even more frequency than the obaks.

I think only 10% of my Obaks have the stamps, but yes they are very common and sometimes so faint that you don't even notice them.

Rob

SGC has handled these cards in a variety of ways over the years. At one time, the card's technical grade was downgraded due to ink (treated like any other card with writing on it). Also, sometimes SGC would grade the card as if the factory mark wasn't there at all. I have an SGC 84 Obak with a factory mark on the back. Finally, SGC would give the card the appropriate technical grade with a "stamped back" (or something to that effect) qualifier on the flip. I have some D310s with a similar qualifier from SGC.

It this the stamp?

Yes, I believe that one is consistant with the stamped backs I have seen

Mark Macrae might know, but is it possible that there was a redemption promo with cards and they stamped them when you turned them so that you could keep the cards?

Jay

There has never been any solid paper trail as to what those marks are. The general consensus is that they were done prior to the cards being inserted into the Obak packs. Whether it was at the printer (Schmidt Lithography, which is unlikely) or at the packaging stage (likely). I've bought well over ten thousand Obaks over the years from 'outside the hobby' sources, not counting the cards from inside the hobby (which is way more). From my experience, the percentage would be closer to 30% have those marks. The color can range from red to almost black. The cards shouldn't be 'downgraded' for this mark. It's different if a period collector or business put their rubber stamp mark on the back, but those two digits marks are one of the characteristics of a T-212........Mark

Hello Mark, thanks for that information.
Amigo, you were always a good digger.
Jay brought up an interesting point.
There are a few other sets with hand stamps, Contentnea being one of them.
Many tobacco brands had redemption promos, where one could turn in X amount of cards, or coupons for a prize.
I own an old cylinder type cigarette lighter with a Contentnea logo on it.
I would love to find anything related to the promo of that lighter.

BTW, any Mono's lately?

Joe P.