First off, I am not trying to piss anyone off or ruffle feathers, but I am sure they will get ruffed. There was an interesting thread on Hisstank last week that questioned the legitimacy of the MOC Cobra De Aco Unpunched on eBay. Immediately, several well known people in the community came to the defense of the seller as he himself is well known. I too am inclined to believe the seller. However, rather than blow off the OP’s comments, I took a look for myself. What is VERY interesting is the unique similarities in the MOC De Aco that is on eBay with another MOC De Aco that was supposedly sold by the same seller. I will post what I find intriguing about the two cards and I would like to open it up for discussion.
First, the punch itself appears to be a brighter white than the rest of the card. Second, on the back of the punch, the hairline does not match up with the rest of the card (I could not find another unpunched Brazilian card to see if none of the hairlines match up). Third, both figures are in a very similar and unique position; both are bent over. Fourth, underneath the green tag there is a white tag (it is straight and rectangular, and not part of the green and rounded tag). Comparing the “unpunched” version to the “punched” version, the white tag underneath the green tag appears to be in the same location and angle on the card. Fifth, and along with the white tag underneath the green one, I find to very compelling is the same discoloration on the back of the card on the first “o” in Commandos. The discoloration even extends on to the “m” in both the unpunched and punched versions. The discoloration appears to be identical. Sixth, the dent in the upper right corner of the accessory bubble is very similar.
The more I look at it, the more I think they are one and the same. I realize this is a touchy subject. However, I would ask everyone to examine the cards for yourself, setting aside preconceived notions, and let me know what you think.
Below are pictures to compare for yourself. (Note: I added red outline boxes to the areas of the card that I think are very similar. These pictures are available online on HT and Ebay for you to look at without the red boxes I added.)
Notice the white tag. Its position and alignment is similar to the unpunched version. Same or very similar figure position. HT De Aco.
similar bubble crunch in top right corner of accessory bubble. HT De Aco.
VERY similar and I would say unique discoloration on the first “o” extending to the “m” on both cards. HT De Aco.
Zoom in and you can clearly see a straight and rectangular white tag underneath the green tag. Same/similar figure position. Notice punch is brighter than rest of card. Ebay De Aco.
Hairline does not matchup. Same or near identical unique discoloration on first “o” and extending to “m.” Ebay De Aco.
similar bubble crunch in accessory bubble. Ebay De Aco.
Leaky Suit Brigade 
January 27, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Out of my range to tell but there must be a expert on these some where who could weight in.
January 27, 2014 at 5:35 pm
I can definitely see the white tag under the green,in the exact same place.Also,IMO opinion the punch does not look factory,almost as if it was fit into place if that makes any sense.
January 28, 2014 at 8:05 pm
The figure position is a dead giveaway – no way 2 different MOC Cobra De Aco’s would be in the exact same position.
January 29, 2014 at 10:12 am
The thing that might be most interesting to come out of this is many people’s hesitation to look at the images and say what they think. People are too worried about insulting others. They would rather just comment about me and say I am being passive aggressive. I have no reason to be. I also liked being compared to a serial killer lol. In a similar post on a discussion board (about a different item), people didn’t want to say why they thought something was a fake and the reason was the seller has an alleged history of making fakes and questionable transactions. And they didn’t want to drag the seller through the mud…. Question: Why is a history of making and selling fakes, with what was called convincing proof, not relevant to a discussion of the legitimacy of an item? A history of making/selling fakes is reason to tarnish a person’s name. If it isn’t then what is? How much lower can you go in a hobby of collecting toys than to make fakes and pass them off as real? And, the messenger is the one who gets shot. hahaha.
January 29, 2014 at 10:20 am
And the eBay auction was ended early…
January 29, 2014 at 11:13 am
And there lies the fundamental issue. The secret inner circle/clique/backroom boys/whatever the heck you wanna call that group (and believe me, they do exist) are so afraid of losing contact with these potential sources of rare items that they will do anything to defend them/justify their existence. I can give you a few examples of this sad behavior. But if someone questions these antics, they are hung out to dry . . although said person hasn’t done 1/100 of what these bad sellers have done to certain buyers in the past. . . There are times I wanna scream out ‘WHO CARES????!!!!’ Just have a meaningful discussion, question and acknowledge certain items when they come up and be open. Very frustrating.
January 29, 2014 at 11:17 am
Exactly, that is all I wanted from this. Just a meaningful discussion and people’s opinions. I would be happy to be wrong, that is not what this is about, I do not care either way legit or not. It is about having an open and honest discussion. Thanks!
February 11, 2014 at 8:43 pm
Sent you a message on Facebook as well as a pic
March 13, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Several weeks ago I compared SirT’s hisstank.com carded Cobra de Aco pictures, as well as the “unpunched” one he had/has for sale on ebay. I’ve never done business with SirT, or any of his thread locking moderator buddies on hisstank.com. The two carded figures are obviously the exact same item. There are numerous dents/dings/stains/flaws that are 100% identical between the “two” on the cardboard itself. It’s impossible for two supposedly separate items to have all the same flaws, including 100% matching cardboard and bubble dents. Anybody with an open mind can look at the ebay and hisstank.com pictures and compare the exact similarities.
Most likey SirT decided to remove the white price sticker, and freaked out when he tore off some of the cardboard with it. So he decided to use a different white and green price sticker and adhere it in the same exact position on the cardboard to hide the damage he caused. It’s a pretty big coincidence that the price stickers from two different Brazilian stores circa 1986 would be placed in the exact spot and angle on two Cobra de Aco toys. Then he dubiously added a mismatched punch tag and decided to represent it as a different item compared to the one he showed, and claims to have previously sold, on hisstank.com.
The only reason people are ganging up on SirT is because he’s selling and misrepresenting a high dollar carded toy on ebay. SirT chimes back that people are accusing him of the ebay item being a “fake”. Obviously it’s legit, albeit misrepresented. The small, blurry, and over pixelated picture on SirT’s current ebay auction showing both “similar” carded Cobra de Aco figures in his possession, hand touching both and all, is laughable. Why is that likely photoshopped picture at such a lower resolution than the others in the auction? Gee, I wonder?
May 23, 2014 at 10:51 pm
Seriously? Being that your name is very similar to that of Rick Savickey, this post only makes sense. I like how you lied in your reply about me, you have absolutely no knowledge of any of what you just replied with, you lied about pretty much everything, very sad man. I have already shared pictures of both De Aco figures side by side, why don’t you go take a look at them on hisstank you moron.
June 19, 2014 at 9:17 am
You seem a bit paranoid Sirt, imagining I may be this “Savickey” fellow, and thinking I’m going out of my way to lie about you. If what you claim is true, why get so dang defensive over what several adult action figure aficionados think? It seems if someone questions your integrity, they must be a “lying moron”. Good luck getting top dollar for your rare and in high demand carded Cobra de Aco. It’s a neat piece of Joe history, whether oddly misrepresented or not.
June 25, 2014 at 11:32 pm
Not exactly sure as to how that is questioning my integrity and I am actually more pissed about you targeting me, I could care less about the De Aco as I know whether it’s legit or not. It’s pretty evident who you are now and your piss poor reputation only speaks for itself. Hope you have fun trying to sell all those fakes you like to make and pass of as legit. Nearly everyone is aware of your shenanigans by now and hopefully it continues to spread around the net to the point where you can’t make any more deals with anyone. I also find it comical that you try to pass off other people’s collectibles as your own, you must live a very sad life.