"The Art of Spotting Fake Pokémon Cards: A Pokémon Investigator's Guide"

Greetings, young collector!

Before you embark on your journey to “catch them all,” it is crucial that you learn to distinguish a Authentic Pokemon of a… Team Rocket intruder in disguise! In this guide, I will reveal to you the 5 secrets of a Pokémon researcher to detect fake letters.

1. Examine the Material: Texture Doesn't Lie!

The original cards have a premium finish thanks to high-quality paper and special holographic ink from The Pokémon Company.

• Touch Test :

  • ✅ Authentic : Slightly rough feel in holographic areas.

  • ❌ Fake : Surface that is too shiny or plasticky (like a cheap toy Pokéball).

• Practical example : Compare a letter of Scarlet & Violet original with a suspicious one. Can you tell the difference?

2. The Seal of Quality: The Fingerprint Code

Every modern letter (since 2019) includes a unique identification code on the bottom edge.

• How to check it :

  1. Use the official app Pokémon TCG Live (available on iOS/Android).

  2. Scan the code. If it doesn't appear in the app... Zubat Alert! 🦇

3. The Holographic Detail: The Shine of the Stars

Rare cards (VMAX, VSTAR) have complex holograms that are almost impossible to replicate .

• Researcher's Trick :

  • Tilt the card under the light.

  • ✅ Authentic : The hologram forms geometric patterns (eg: spirals, stars).

  • ❌ False : Generic shine with no defined patterns.

• Case study : Observe a Charizard VMAX (Darkness Ablaze) original vs. a fake.

4. The Magnifying Glass Test: Magnify X10!

Counterfeiters often fail in the microscopic details .

• Key Areas :

  • Text : Blurry letters or uneven margins = 🚨.

  • Energy Icons : On counterfeit cards, the energy symbol may be misaligned.

  • Real example : Look at the energy symbol 🔥 on a Pikachu V (Sword & Shield) .

5. The Weight of Honor: The Scale Does Not Lie

The original cards have a standard weight (1.8-2.0 grams) thanks to quality paper.

• Recommended Tool :

  • Precision scale ( like this one from Amazon ES ).

• Experiment : Weigh 10 common cards. If any of them varies >0.3g… It's time for a Test of Courage!

Illustrator's Curiosity: The Secret of the Cards

Did you know that each Pokémon TCG artist discreetly signs their works? For example, Akira Egawa (illustrator of Mewtwo V) hides a small “AE” in his drawings. Look for these signatures like a real detective!

Mission for you, Coach

1. Check your collection with this guide.

2. Comment below how many suspicious letters did you find.

3. Top 10 in participating will receive a Cards4All Seal of Authenticity (for a card of your choice).