📖 Pokémon cards: how to recognise an authentic card

Counterfeit Pokémon cards exist in large numbers, and some fool even experienced collectors. No single test is enough: combine several, and always compare with a card you are sure about. This guide only applies to Pokémon cards; for old Magic cards or very valuable pieces, use a grading company (PSA, CGC).

1. The light test

• An authentic card is made of several layers, including a dark core (black or dark blue) that blocks almost all light. Hold the card in front of a strong lamp: a fake often lets much more light through.
• The test is less conclusive on Japanese holographic cards, because the foil layer changes how light passes: use it mainly on non-holo cards.
• The tear test (which shows the layers) should only be done on a worthless card.

2. The back of the card

• The back of an authentic card is a rich blue, with several tones of blue forming swirls, a crisp border and a mottled texture near the Poké Ball.
• On a fake the blue is often washed-out, purplish or single-toned, with blurry details and an uneven border.
• Compare with a card you are sure about: small differences in tint are easier to see side by side.

3. Typography and spelling

• Counterfeits often use a different font, characters a little too large or too small, typos, or a missing accent on "Pokémon".
• Also check the energy symbols and card numbers: their size and font should match the era.

4. The holographic effect

• On a real holo card the pattern shifts and moves as you tilt it in the light, with layered depth, and it matches the card's set and era.
• A fake often has a static, flat or "oil-slick rainbow" sheen, sometimes simply printed on an ordinary card. An overly shiny look, front or back, is a bad sign.

5. Size and centring

• An authentic card measures 63 mm by 88 mm (2.5 by 3.5 inches).
• Slightly off-centre printing exists on real cards, but very uneven borders are suspicious.

⚠️ Watch out for

• A single failed test is enough to walk away, according to several guides: do not count on one passed test to make up for a failed one.
• Be wary of "rare" lots with several holo cards whose pattern falls in exactly the same place on each card: on real cards it is never identical.
• For a card worth several hundred euros, have it graded by a grading company before paying or reselling.

Sources : Card Codex · Majesty Grading · Samurai Sword Tokyo · Remi Card Trader

Updated on Oct 5, 2026. These pointers are indicative and do not replace an expert's opinion: for a valuable piece, have it appraised.