{"id":499234,"date":"2025-08-07T14:35:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T06:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=499234"},"modified":"2025-08-07T14:35:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T06:35:08","slug":"how-to-determine-if-a-pokemon-tcg-card-is-counterfeit-authentication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/2025\/08\/07\/how-to-determine-if-a-pokemon-tcg-card-is-counterfeit-authentication\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Determine if a Pok\u00e9mon TCG Card Is Counterfeit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many unscrupulous vendors have attempted to pass off counterfeit Pok\u00e9mon TCG products as the real thing and have caught many unsuspecting buyers off-guard. As such, it\u2019s always helpful to be aware of the characteristics that set apart a phony from a genuine Pok\u00e9mon TCG card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To tell apart a fake Pok\u00e9mon TCG card from a real one, five criteria can be assessed. We\u2019ll also discuss points related to the authenticity of the card slab it comes in (if graded) as well as how the process of the card sale might inform a buyer of the card\u2019s potential authenticity or lack thereof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll first look at the characteristics that separate a real Pok\u00e9mon TCG card from a counterfeit. We have actually written about this topic before<\/a>; however, what we did not do in that topic was use examples of actual cards to provide a better visual representation of what the flaws of a fake card look like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cards which will serve as our \u201ccase studies\u201d here are Giovanni\u2019s Exile (Double Blaze [SM10] 105\/095)<\/a>, Meowth (SV-P Promotional Cards 192\/SV-P)<\/a>, and Lillie\u2019s Clefairy ex (Battle Partners [SV9] 126\/100)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Card Exterior<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A genuine Pok\u00e9mon TCG card has a very specific texture with a smooth, glossy finish when held to the light. A fake, on the other hand, might be unusually thick or thin when compared to the actual thing; it may also be rough and grainy to the touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also possible for a fake card\u2019s imagery to have the incorrect color or shading due to the use of different inks. The fake versions of our test cards exhibit these errors as such:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Giovanni\u2019s Exile<\/strong>: Top-left corner of the background \u201cR\u201d, the Team Rocket logo on Giovanni\u2019s coat<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lillie\u2019s Clefairy ex<\/strong>: Pok\u00e9mon logo on the back of the card, the \u00ae symbol beside it<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most obvious tell that a card is fake is an error in the text of the card such as grammar or spelling or the use of the wrong name. Text can also reveal that a card is fake if a certain portion of the card\u2019s text doesn\u2019t use the correct font, is misaligned, or has too little or too much shading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following textual errors can be seen in the fake versions of our cards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Giovanni\u2019s Exile<\/strong>: Blurred font in the text of the card\u2019s effect, 3D effect in the font of the card\u2019s name<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meowth<\/strong>: Blurred font in the card\u2019s name<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lillie\u2019s Clefairy ex<\/strong>: Card name text is unvarnished, ink dots in the text of the card\u2019s name<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Print Resolution\/Quality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most fake cards tend to have reduced print resolution and\/or quality. This is usually seen in the form of faded or unclear colors. Card illustrations might also be printed unevenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the cases of more minor print resolution and quality issues, the use of a microscope will be needed as they are not visible with the naked eye. For that reason, SNKRDUNK\u2019s experts include microscope testing as part of the card authentication process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

None of our three cards\u2019 fake versions are marked by print resolution and\/or quality issues. As such, here is a sample of what such would look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Card Dimensions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Pok\u00e9mon TCG card should have the following dimensions: a length of ~6.3cm (~2.5in), a width of ~8.8cm (~3.5in), and a thickness of ~0.3mm (~0.01in).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going back to our three cards, the following are the issues found with regard to dimensions of the fake versions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Giovanni\u2019s Exile<\/strong>: Thickness of ~0.455mm (~0.02in)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meowth<\/strong>: Thickness of ~0.455mm (~0.02in)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lillie\u2019s Clefairy ex<\/strong>: Thickness of ~0.455mm (~0.02in)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Processing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Processing errors are by far the most common errors seen on counterfeit Pok\u00e9mon TCG cards. These processing errors primarily impact the holofoil or relief patterns found on the fake cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fake holofoil processing can be detected by the naked eye; similarly, fake relief patterns can be detected by touch alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our sample cards\u2019 fake versions, these are the processing errors they contain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Giovanni\u2019s Exile<\/strong>: Improper holofoil processing causes Giovanni\u2019s skin tone to appear yellowish and the holofoil over Giovanni\u2019s eyes to be unable to reflect light due to lack of varnish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meowth<\/strong>: Uneven and rough background holofoil processing, excess holofoil covering the edges of the card, no holofoil processing over Meowth\u2019s eyes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lillie\u2019s Clefairy ex<\/strong>: Embossed 3D finish causing the holofoil layer to be uneven; in addition, only Lillie\u2019s eyes have a holofoil finish while the rest of her face doesn\u2019t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Counterfeit Card Slabs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even if the card itself is genuine, its value might be compromised if it comes in a phony card slab. Those selling cards in such fake slabs intend to make a dishonest profit by luring buyers into purchasing what appears to be a card with an impressive grade – only for the buyers to discover that the card in question has been placed in a fake slab and thus likely isn\u2019t up to the grade it claims to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible to verify the slab\u2019s authenticity by searching for its grading identification number on the website of the grading service provider. If the card that turns up is either non-existent or different, the slab is a fake one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other card slab issues indicating that the slab might be fake include cracks or other damage, unusual weight or size, or a counterfeit logo of the grading service provider in question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sale Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even the process of the card sale may be an indicator of whether the card in question is indeed the real deal. The following might serve as red flags hinting that the seller isn\u2019t legit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ratings – It\u2019s not only helpful to be wary of sellers with many low ratings or very few ratings, but also sellers with an unusually large number of perfect ratings, as that may indicate the use of bots for rating inflation. Ideally, the seller in question should have many ratings with a high average rating\u2014but not too high. A read-through of the comments should clarify the likelihood of the use of bots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Card price – If the card in question is being sold at a price way below the usual market price, that\u2019s a reason to raise an eyebrow. In almost all cases, genuine cards are sold at prices close to market prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seller Responsiveness – An unresponsive seller might indicate that the card isn\u2019t genuine\u2014or even worse, doesn\u2019t even exist as the online store itself is run by a \u201cghost vendor\u201d and a front for a scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Choose SNKRDUNK for Genuine Pok\u00e9mon TCG Cards?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To ensure you’re getting a legitimate card, consider buying from SNKRDUNK. We take many steps to ensure the authenticity of every Pok\u00e9mon TCG product sold via our app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, our experts make use of the latest technology to determine the authenticity of every single one of the cards we sell. We\u2019ve also meticulously crafted a system that ensures that no products sold will be tampered with, ensuring that buyers always receive exactly what has been purchased through our online store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should any specific card be found to be fake before the card is sent to the prospective buyer, we\u2019ll cancel the transaction. Buyers may also contact our office if the product received differs from what was actually purchased or if there are any other discrepancies or issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, you can be certain that whenever purchasing any Pok\u00e9mon TCG cards from SNKRDUNK, the cards will undoubtedly be the real thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is SNKRDUNK Lab?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a leader in the industry, our lab is dedicated to tackling the social and economic problems caused by counterfeit goods. We aim to improve authentication technology and raise awareness about fakes by strengthening our partnerships with domestic and international experts and research institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By combining technology, data, and human expertise, we are creating the future standard for what is authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Main Activities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Investigating and Researching Counterfeit Goods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SNKRDUNK currently maintains an authentication accuracy rate of 99.97%. We will continue to conduct research and investigations, utilizing Japan’s largest database of counterfeit products to stay ahead of the curve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improving Our Authentication Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By introducing and researching various tools, including X-ray, infrared, and microscopes, we are enhancing our technology to ensure we can authenticate every single item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communicating for Public Awareness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will regularly publish market reports based on our partnerships with external organizations and experts, as well as on insights and research findings gathered from the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow us on:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n