So you’re a Pokémon collector, but you’re not sure how to tell if Pokémon cards are fake. Identifying fake Pokémon cards can be difficult, but it becomes much easier with experience.
It’s easy to tell if a Pokémon card is fake as long as you know what to look for. Using light and rip tests can help to verify the authenticity of a Pokémon card. Inspecting the spelling, font, and color on the card could help you spot inconsistencies. And material fake Pokémon cards are almost always made from inferior materials.
As the number of people investing in Pokémon cards grows, the number of counterfeits on the market increases. Fortunately, the great majority of these fake Pokémon cards are easy to identify.
This article is here to help you tell if Pokémon cards are fake. Consider every piece of advice in it. Next time, you can use it to ensure you don’t buy a fake Pokémon card.
Before we begin, it is essential to have a few real Pokémon cards on hand for comparison. So, let’s examine how you can tell if Pokémon cards are fake.
Tips on How to Tell if Pokémon Cards are Fake
How to Tell if Pokémon Cards Are Fake by Font
This may sound obvious, but checking the font is an easy way to tell if Pokémon cards are fake. The fonts on fake Pokémon cards are often different from those on real Pokémon cards.
You can make a quick comparison, ideally with the same deck of cards. Most of the time, you’ll be able to tell the difference between the two font types at first glance. Take note of the font size as well. Does the font size on the respective cards match up exactly?
Make sure all the fonts and sizes are the same as the ones on a genuine card or match the font used by The Pokémon Company. Fake cards may have different fonts in various positions, so check thoroughly. A wrong font used will immediately stand out.
Compare the Manufacturing Method and the Texture
A fake Pokémon card is not made the same way as a real card. For that reason, you’ll commonly find more than one manufacturing defect, such as a discrepancy in the cutting process.
Fake Pokémon cards are often made from cheap, light cardboard. While real Pokémon cards are made from heavier large sheets that produce a clean cut.
If you look closely at the corners of a Pokémon card, you’ll discover tiny white shards of cardboard. This shows that the card is most likely a fake Pokémon card because fake cards are usually poorly made.
Running your fingertips over the borders of a Pokémon card is a quick and easy way to identify a fake Pokémon card. The borders on a fake card will almost always differ from the artwork. You might also notice that the borders are thicker on one side. While real Pokémon cards have a thin sheet of black or silver throughout.
It’s worth mentioning that spotting flaws along the borders of a card don’t always indicate that it’s a fake. Most likely, it was a mistake made during the cutting process. However, these mistakes are uncommon in real Pokémon cards.
Check for Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
Checking for spelling mistakes is a sure way to tell if Pokémon cards are fake. Because this is such an obvious method, it is frequently overlooked. You can verify the authenticity of a Pokémon card by simply proofreading the text on the card carefully.
The misspelled character names on the fake card are a dead giveaway that the card is a fake. Look specifically for any occurrences of the word “Pokémon” where it does not have the accented “é”, as this is a significant sign of a fake card. Real Pokémon cards are frequently proofread to ensure there are no spelling mistakes.
Compare the Placement of Energy Symbols
Another crucial factor to consider is the positioning of energy symbols. Examine the two cards closely. The misplacement of the energy symbol is an accurate indication of a fake card.
Like checking the font size, fake card energy symbols may sometimes appear larger or smaller or have an entirely wrong design. They may also appear fuzzy. A genuine card will have clear-looking energy symbols. In some rare cases, the energy symbols may be missing.
Check the Back of the Card
If your card has made it through all the preliminary inspections, you should proceed a more detailed test. An easy way to tell if a Pokémon card is fake is to check the back of the card.
Look at the back of the two cards and see any color and Pokéball art differences. If the color doesn’t match the real card, this is an easy indicator that it is a fake card.
For example, according to The Card Bazaar, fake Pokémon cards may have a somewhat light blue tint at the back or the same shade of blue throughout. Real Pokémon cards, on the other hand, will have a combination of several shades of blue.
In some cases, blending between the primary color on the card and the border signifies that the card is fake. The border present on the reverse side of the card is usually a single shade of blue. Washed-out or blurry colors are also an indication that the card is fake.
When inspecting a Pokémon card, focusing on the little details is essential. These details can make it difficult for counterfeiters to copy precisely and might be a clue that the card is a fake.
We recommend investing in small magnifying glasses, so you can scrutinize the back of the card. They don’t say, “The devil is in the details”, for nothing.
Compare the Condition of the Card
Checking the condition is another reliable way to tell if Pokémon cards are fake. It is well known that real Pokémon cards are always in good condition. The value of a Pokémon is frequently determined by its current condition. If you purchase a new Pokémon card with defects, it is likely to be a fake.
Conclusion
While fake Pokémon cards are common, there are many ways to tell if Pokémon cards are fake. The more time you spend around real Pokémon cards, the better you will distinguish between a real and a fake card.
If you’re not sure, ask a specialist who has experience spotting counterfeits. You can also speak with other collectors who have experience.
Perhaps you want to buy Pokémon cards online but cannot physically inspect them. In that case, you can request the vendor take a high-quality Pokémon card. This should allow you to carry out some tests.
If you intend to invest in a collection of rare Pokémon cards, consult as many sources as possible to ensure the integrity of each card. In general, we wouldn’t recommend purchasing rare Pokémon cards online unless you have the opportunity to see them in person before paying.
