How to spot a fake Pokémon card
Checks that help you tell a counterfeit Pokémon card from a real one, and what to do when you’re not sure.
Counterfeit Pokémon cards exist, and some are convincing. No single check proves a card is real, but a few together catch most fakes. When a valuable card is involved and you’re not sure, ask an expert or a grading company before you buy.
Compare it with the real card
The most useful check is a side-by-side comparison with images of the genuine card:
- Find the card in its set’s card list and open its page.
- Check that the set symbol and the collector number match a card that exists in that set. A number the set doesn’t have, or a name and number that don’t belong together, is a red flag. See how card numbers work.
- Compare the art, the colors and where every element sits. Fakes often have colors that are too pale, too dark or oversaturated, and art that’s slightly blurry.
Check the text
- Look for spelling mistakes, odd spacing and fonts that don’t match other cards from the same set.
- Check the attack names, damage and energy symbols against the genuine card.
- The copyright line at the bottom should be there and readable.
Check the finish and the back
- A holo or reverse holo’s foil should match the genuine printing; fakes often get the pattern or its placement wrong.
- The back’s blue should match the backs of your other cards. A back that looks noticeably different in color or print quality is a warning sign.
- Genuine cards have a particular feel and thickness. Comparing a card with a common card you know is real can help.
Be wary of the price and the seller
- A rare card offered far below its usual price is a warning sign. Check the card’s market price on its page before you buy.
- Packs and sealed products can be faked or resealed too. Buy sealed product from sellers you trust.
Graded cards
Slabs can be counterfeited as well (see raw vs graded cards for what a slab is). Grading companies let you look up a slab’s certification number on their website: check that the number exists and matches the card and grade on the label.
When you’re not sure
If a card is valuable and you still have doubts, a grading company’s authentication or an experienced collector or shop can give a second opinion. Holofile can’t authenticate cards: its scanner matches a card’s image to the catalog, which helps you find the right card to compare with (see Scan a card), but a good fake can look similar enough to match.