Although there’s been much written about how Pokémon TCG card authentication works, one recently released card, in particular, deserves specific attention: the Ultra Rare (UR) N’s Zoroark ex-card from Battle Partners [SV9].

Why? Well, it’s not “just any other card”. Certain copies of this card came with a very specific misprint which has since been phased out of subsequent printings; as such, the value of the misprinted versions of this card has skyrocketed, becoming by far the most expensive card of its set.

This therefore brings up the question: how does one differentiate a genuine misprinted UR N’s Zoroark ex card from a fake misprinted one as well as an ordinary one? Let’s take a closer look.

Background Texture

The background texture of the card is the most obvious area by which a genuinely misprinted version of the card can be detected. In fact, it was how the original misprint was even detected in the first place.

The texture of the misprinted version mistakenly carries the Special Art Rare (SAR) texture. SAR cards typically have a more intricate and detailed foil pattern, designed to enhance the depth and artistic elements of the illustration. This results in a more vibrant, multi-layered look with a different reflective quality. The SAR texture often includes wavy or swirling effects, which are not present in standard UR cards.

Background Image Outline

In the background of the misprinted version of the UR N’s Zoroark ex card, a faint outline can be seen. This outline is one that was supposed to have been taken from the SAR version of the card.

If the background outline appears in a shape that even slightly differs from the version shown here, the card in question is a fake. Additionally, if there is no such outline anywhere on the card, the card is most likely real—but the version without the misprint.

Evolution Icon and Card Border

On the misprinted version of the card, both the evolution icon and the border of the card use a different shade of gold from that of the original. The evolution icon, located in the upper-left corner, appears with a different gold hue compared to the normal version. The standard Gold Ultra Rare version has a brighter, more vibrant gold, whereas the misprinted version features a slightly darker and muted gold tone, which aligns more closely with the Special Art Rare (SAR) variant.

The card border follows a similar pattern. While both versions retain the gold-bordered aesthetic, the misprinted version has a more subdued, less reflective gold border. This darker tone makes it stand out when compared side by side with the normal print, further confirming its classification as a misprint.

Market Impact and Price

The discovery of this misprint has influenced the card’s desirability and market dynamics. Collectors are actively seeking this rare variant, leading to increased attention and higher valuations in secondary markets. That being said, a copy of the normal N’s Zoroark ex goes for just 3,000 JPY (~US$20) but the misprinted N’s Zoroark ex goes for a whopping 205,330 JPY (~US$1,375), almost 70 times the price of the standard print. No wonder everyone is chasing and hoping they pull this misprinted card out of the Battle Partners [SV9].

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