How to Spot a Fake Pokémon Card: A Collector’s Guide
So, you’ve got a shiny new Pokémon card, or perhaps a dusty one you found in the attic. You’re eager to know if it’s the real deal, maybe even worth a small fortune. Identifying a fake Pokémon card can be tricky, but with a keen eye and some knowledge, you can learn to distinguish the fakes from the authentic treasures. The most reliable way to spot a fake Pokémon card is to carefully examine its physical characteristics and compare them to known authentic cards. This involves checking details like the font, color, card stock, printing quality, and specific set symbols. The value and collectibility of these cards often go hand-in-hand with nostalgia and fond childhood memories for many. If you are interested in learning more about the educational elements behind gaming, check out GamesLearningSociety.org.
Key Indicators of a Fake Pokémon Card
Here’s a breakdown of the key areas to inspect:
1. Font and Text
- Incorrect Font or Size: Fake cards often use fonts that don’t match the official Pokémon TCG fonts. Pay close attention to the text on the card, including the Pokémon’s name, HP, attack names, and descriptions. Even a slight difference in font or size is a major red flag.
- Grammatical Errors and Misspellings: Authentic cards undergo rigorous quality control. Misspellings or grammatical errors are almost nonexistent. If you spot an error, the card is almost certainly a fake.
2. Energy Symbols
- Wrong Energy Symbols: The energy symbols (Fire, Water, Grass, Lightning, Psychic, Fighting, Darkness, Metal, Fairy, Dragon, Colorless) must be accurate in shape, size, and color.
- Incorrect Size or Placement: Even if the symbols are the correct type, their size and placement on the card need to match authentic examples.
3. HP and Attack Damage Values
- Unusually High HP: Pokémon cards typically have HP values that stay within a reasonable range. If you see a card with ridiculously high HP (e.g., 500, 1000, or higher), it’s a clear sign of a fake. Cards with HP above 250 are highly suspect.
- Inconsistent Attack Damage: Similar to HP, attack damage values should be consistent with the Pokémon’s abilities and the game’s mechanics. Absurdly high or low damage values can indicate a counterfeit.
4. Weakness, Resistance, and Retreat Cost
- Incorrect Symbols or Information: Pay close attention to the weakness and resistance symbols, as well as the retreat cost. These should match the correct symbols for the Pokémon type and edition.
- Missing or Extra Information: Any discrepancies, such as missing weakness information or an extra retreat cost symbol, should raise a red flag.
5. Set Symbol and Set Number
- Wrong Set Symbol: Each Pokémon set has a unique symbol. Compare the symbol on the card to a list of known set symbols. Mismatched symbols are a clear indicator of a fake.
- Incorrect Set Number: The set number should fall within the known range for that particular set. A number that’s outside the known range suggests a fake. Secret rares, however, have set numbers that go beyond the total card count of the main set.
6. Foiling and Holo Patterns
- Incorrect Foiling: Many Pokémon cards have specific foiling patterns or holographic effects. If the card has foiling where it shouldn’t, or lacks foiling where it should be present, it’s likely fake.
- Poor Quality Holographic Effect: Fake holo cards often have a low-quality, pixelated, or overly shiny holographic effect that differs significantly from authentic cards.
7. Card Stock and Print Quality
- Thin or Flimsy Card Stock: Authentic Pokémon cards are printed on high-quality card stock. Fake cards often use thinner, lower-quality paper that feels flimsy.
- Blurry or Poor Printing: Check for blurry images, faded colors, or pixelated text. Authentic cards have sharp, clear printing.
- Color Discrepancies: Compare the colors on the card to a known authentic card. Fake cards may have incorrect or faded colors. If the blue coloring on the back of the card appears to be a light blue, it’s likely a fake.
8. The “Rip Test” (Use with Caution!)
- Layered Construction: This method is somewhat destructive and should be used as a last resort on cards you already suspect are fake. Carefully tear a small portion of the card. Authentic cards typically have a thin black layer between the front and back layers. The absence of this layer is a strong indication of a fake.
9. Back of the Card Comparison
- Color and Detail Differences: The back of a Pokémon card is surprisingly complex. Compare the back of the card to the back of a known authentic card. Pay close attention to the colors, details, and overall quality of the printing. Scammers rarely replicate the back of a real card perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fake Pokémon Cards
1. Are Pokémon cards with gold backs fake?
Yes, typically. Gold Pokémon cards are often manufactured in China and sold through third-party websites. They are not officially produced or licensed by The Pokémon Company and are therefore considered fake. 24k Gold Plated Pokémon Cards released during celebrations and promotional events are real, but not made from cardboard.
2. Can you sell fake Pokémon cards if you say they are fake?
Selling fake Pokémon cards knowingly as fakes is generally permissible, as long as you clearly state that they are reproductions and not authentic cards. However, selling them as legitimate cards, deceiving buyers into thinking they are real, is illegal and constitutes fraud.
3. Are McDonald’s Pokémon cards real?
Yes, McDonald’s Pokémon cards are officially licensed and real. However, their legality in tournaments depends on whether they are functionally identical to a card that is currently legal in the Standard format.
4. Does TCGplayer sell fake cards?
TCGplayer has a Buyer Safeguard program. If you buy cards through TCGplayer and believe you received a counterfeit, you should contact their customer service team right away to report it. TCGplayer aims to protect buyers from fraud.
5. Are fake Pokémon cards worth anything?
No, fake Pokémon cards are generally worthless. They are not allowed in official tournaments and have no collectible value. They are primarily used to scam unsuspecting buyers.
6. Can fake Pokémon cards be sold?
Selling fake Pokémon cards while representing them as authentic is illegal and a violation of The Pokémon Company’s trademark. It is permissible to sell fakes as such if there is no misrepresentation.
7. Are McDonald’s Pokémon cards worth collecting?
Yes, McDonald’s Pokémon cards can be worth collecting, especially if they are rare or holographic. The value often depends on the popularity of the cards and their condition.
8. What are the rarest Pokémon cards?
Some of the rarest Pokémon cards include the 2002 First-Edition Mysterious Mountains Crystal Charizard, 2004 Pokemon EX Team Rocket Returns Holo Torchic Gold Star, and 1999 Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer.
9. What is the rarest card you can get from McDonald’s?
The rarest card from recent McDonald’s promotions is often the Pikachu holographic card. Its value, while not extremely high, is still greater than other common cards from the set.
10. Are fake Pokémon cards obvious?
While some fake Pokémon cards are poorly made and easy to spot, others are more convincing. It’s essential to carefully examine the card’s details and compare it to known authentic cards to determine its legitimacy.
11. Can Pokémon cards be fake on Amazon?
Yes, unfortunately. Amazon is not immune to counterfeit products. When buying Pokémon cards on Amazon, check the seller’s reviews and be wary of unusually low prices. Pay close attention to the card’s details when you receive it.
12. Do fake Pokémon cards shine?
Some fake Pokémon cards are overly shiny or have a holographic effect that looks different from genuine cards. Others may lack the proper foiling. The shine or holo pattern should be compared to a real card.
13. Are black Pokémon cards fake?
Generally, black Pokémon cards that are not specifically part of a known promotional set or variant are often fake. Cards with blue streaks, or those missing any streaks are also fake.
14. Are Rainbow Pokemon cards real?
Yes, Rainbow Pokémon cards are real. They are Secret Rare cards with a unique set number that exceeds the total count of the set. They have a distinctive rainbow color scheme and glitter effect.
15. What Pokémon cards to look for?
Some valuable Pokémon cards to look for include Gold Star Espeon and Umbreon, Spikey-Eared Pichu, 2002 No. 1 Trainer, and First-Edition Crystal Charizard.