Spotting fake and reprinted Pokémon cards

Fakes and reprints can look convincing in photos. A few checks catch most of them.

Quick checks for fakes

• Font and spelling: wrong fonts, odd spacing or typos in attacks and text.
• Colors: washed-out or overly saturated colors, especially on the back.
• Holo pattern: fake holo foil often looks flat or uses the wrong pattern.
• Card stock: real cards have a thin dark layer visible on the edge; many fakes don't.
• Energy symbols and set symbol: check they match the set.

Reprints

Some famous cards were reprinted in later sets (for example anniversary collections). Reprints are real cards, but they're worth different amounts from the originals. Check the set symbol and the number, and look for a reprint stamp or different copyright year.

Buying safely

• Buy from sellers with good feedback and clear photos of the actual card.
• Compare with the card image on its Pokedeck page.
• For expensive cards, consider buying graded copies from known grading companies.