How to Check if a Pokémon Card is Fake
Eight quick tests anyone can do at home — no microscope, no special tools. Plus a free AI scanner that automates the visual checks.
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1
Light test
Hold the card up to a bright lamp. Real Pokémon cards have a thin black layer in the middle that blocks light almost completely. A fake usually lets significant light through, especially around the artwork.
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2
Cardstock weight
A real card weighs 1.7–1.9 g. Fakes feel either light (cheap paper) or heavy (laminated). A cheap jeweller's scale settles disputes instantly.
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3
Font + spelling
Compare HP, energy-cost icons and attack-name kerning to a known-real card from the same era. Counterfeits often slip on tiny details like accent marks or trademark icons (Ⓟ Ⓜ).
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4
Edge colour
Real cards have a thin black layer visible on the side; fakes show solid white when you look at the edge sideways.
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5
Holo pattern
Real holo cards have a sparkle pattern in cross-hatch stripes that flows when you tilt the card. Fakes show uniform glitter or a flat printed rainbow.
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6
Back colour saturation
Real card backs use a specific blue-purple-red gradient. Fakes are often too cyan, too red, or show banding under bright light.
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7
Cut precision
Real cards are industrially cut: edges are mathematically straight and corners have a clean radius. Fakes are often hand-cut and show micro-jagged edges under a 10× loupe.
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8
Use the AI scanner
Upload a photo to the Collector Stash Market scanner. Our image-quality module flags border, glare, holo + colour issues automatically and outputs a fake-risk score (0–1) with reasoning.
Try the scanner →
Still unsure? Get a verification
Our seller marketplace runs photo-verification + fake-detection on every listing. Listings with a CSM-XXXX-XXXX verification code have been visually graded by our AI plus a human verifier. Check a verification code →