General Forum

 I have 2 1993-94 Finest basketball.  I don't believe they are refractors but how does one tell the difference.   I can't tell from the cards on the TCDB.  Thanks

If you have one, it will not look anything like the standard base cards. In scans, the Refractors appear to be glowing from within, while the basic finest cards appear very dark.

This picture is terribly blurry, but it is a Refractor.

 I had a hunch it would be you who answered.  To be honest, these cards seem to be iridescent.  Not dark and much brighter than foil.     But when I scanned them, they do appear darker.

If they scan dark they are standard.

This is my scan of card #37

This is my scan of Refractor #37

Both were made with the same scanner.

It's very difficult to tell the difference with scans when you're holding the cards in your hand. Here's a photo of the same year of their football release.  Moving the cards in the light, the Finest (left) is very shiny and reflective, like colored chrome.  The Refractor (right) is dull, very little reflection but has an iridescent background.

For the longest time I had only 1 card of Kevin Johnson from that set and it was a refractor.  It wasn't until later on though when I got other base cards from the set that I was able to know 100% that is was in fact a refractor like I thought.  I am glad they started writing it on the back of the cards.  

It also depends on how you scan them, some cards need to be turned to find the best scan