HOW TO AVOID FAKE POKÉMON CARDS

SPOTTING FAKE POKÉMON CARDS: A COLLECTOR’S ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO AUTHENTICITY

Welcome to the fascinating world of Pokémon card collecting! As collectors, we know the thrill of hunting down rare cards, but with great treasures comes the need for caution. This guide is here to equip you with the skills to distinguish between genuine and clever fake Pokémon cards, ensuring the authenticity of your cherished collection.

UNDERSTANDING THE STAKES: WHY AUTHENTICATION MATTERS

Let’s dive in by recognizing the importance of authentication. Authentic Pokémon cards carry sentimental and financial value. Rare editions and holographic cards are particularly enticing to counterfeiters. By becoming adept at spotting fake Pokémon cards, you not only protect your emotional investment but also safeguard potential financial gains.

Counterfeit cards are becoming a little too common place and they are readily available to buy in bulk from websites. This article is meant as a guide to teach you some of the basic things to look out for.

STUDY THE GENUINE: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH AUTHENTIC POKÉMON CARDS

Getting to know the real thing is your best defence against counterfeits. Immerse yourself in the details of genuine Pokémon cards – the texture, colours, fonts, and holographic patterns. Genuine cards have a distinct feel, making it easier to spot irregularities in questionable cards.

SPEND TIME USING, HOLDING, EXAMINING REAL CARDS. IT’S AMAZING HOW MUCH INFORMATION YOU WILL PICK UP BY JUST HOLDING THE REAL THING

THE THIN BLACK LINE: EXAMINING THE CARD EDGE

Authentic Pokémon cards are manufactured in layers and in the process, a wafer thin black layer in added. Examine the edge of your card and if you can see a wafer thin black line on the edge of the card, then it’s a strong indication that your card is real.  One thing to note however is the date and location the card was manufactured as this will change what makes the card authentic. Always try and compare like for like – what I mean by this is compare a modern day card against a modern day card. Don’t use a Japanese Pocket Monster card as a comparison to an English 2023 card.

COLOUR CONSISTENCY: A VISUAL INDICATOR OF AUTHENTICITY

The colours on Pokémon cards are carefully calibrated, and any deviation from the standard colour palette can indicate a counterfeit. Authentic cards boast vibrant and consistent colours, while fake ones may appear faded or exhibit irregularities in hue. Pay close attention to the artwork and the energy symbols, ensuring they match the expected colour schemes. Use this technique on both the front and back of the card.

TEXTURE TALES: FEEL THE AUTHENTICITY

The tactile experience of handling Pokemon cards is part of what makes collecting so enjoyable.  Legitimate cards have a specific texture that counterfeiters often struggle to replicate. In the case of standard Pokemon cards, a genuine card feels smooth, whilst fake cards have a glossy or overly slick surface. However the reverse can be true when looking at a holo, reverse holo or special cards.  The specific textures are applied to these authentic Pokeman cards are hard to replicate so instead many counterfeit cards are completely smooth.  Run your fingers over the card, paying attention to any deviations in texture that might signal a counterfeit.  Holding the card up to the light and watching the lights reflection can reveal a lot about how the card was made.

SCRUTINIZING FONTS AND SYMBOLS: SIGNS OF AUTHENTICITY

Pokemon cards feature specific fonts and symbols, crucial details in the authentication process. Examine the card closely for consistent fonts in the card text and energy symbols. Discrepancies, such as mismatched fonts or distorted symbols, could be indicative of a fake card.  Places to check on the card include the main font, the element symbols and small print at the very bottom of the card. I’ve seen many impressive fakes that have been let down by fuzziness around the very small print.

COMPARING CARD BACKS: A TALE OF TWO PRINTS

The back of a Pokemon card is as telling as the front when it comes to authentication.  Legitimate cards have a consistent, high-quality print on the back, including the iconic Pokemon logo. Counterfeit cards may have a faded or pixelated appearance, and the logo might be poorly replicated.  Always compare the back of a suspect card with a known authentic card to spot any glaring differences.

These photographs show a real Pokemon card against fake Pokemon cards. Can you tell which is which?

 WHEN BUYING FROM A SELLER OR A WEBSITE YOU AREN’T SURE ABOUT YET, ASK FOR PHOTOS SHOWING THE BACK OF THE CARD. A GOOD SELLER WOULD HAPPILY TAKE A COUPLE OF SNAPS; A GREAT SELLER ALREADY HAS PHOTOS SHOWING THE BACK

SEEKING PROFESSIONAL AUTHENTICATION: WHEN IN DOUBT, VERIFY

For high-value or rare Pokemon cards, seeking professional authentication is a prudent step.  Reputable grading services assess the authenticity and condition of Pokemon cards, providing certification that adds credibility to your collection.  Two of the main grading companies include PSA and CGC. While this may incur a fee, the peace of mind and enhanced value of your cards are often worth the investment.

Pokemon card grading companies
PSA – https://www.psacard.com/
CGC – https://www.cgcgrading.com/

UK based card grading companies
ACE Grading – https://acegrading.com/
Tree Frog Grading – https://treefroggrading.com/
PG Grading – https://www.pokegradeuk.co.uk/

Pre-graded cards come up quite often on auction sites but I would always recommend checking the printed reference number against the grading companies achieve to make sure it is the card they say it is.

CONCLUSION: GUARDING THE POKÉMON CARD LEGACY

In the dynamic world of Pokémon card collecting, the quest for authenticity is an ongoing journey. By mastering the art of spotting fake Pokémon cards, collectors not only protect their investments but also contribute to the integrity of the community. Armed with knowledge, collectors can confidently navigate the market, ensuring that every card in their collection tells a genuine Pokémon tale.

Before your next purchase, always ask yourself a few quick questions

• • Does the card look and feel right?
    If you can’t hold the card, ask for more pictures that are detailed and in focus.
  • What do the sellers reviews say?
    Asking for other peoples options on a card will get you a lot of feedback and quickly…just be careful how much information you give away, you don’t want to get sniped if you have found a real gem.
  • Does the price just seem way to good?
    How sure are you that you’ve spotted a killer card for just a few £s/$s/Euros