Pokémon Card Authentication
A counterfeit card can cost you twice: once at purchase, and again if you submit it for grading, where a rejection is final. Our authentication is built on a documented methodology, not a hunch.
Our methodology
Every card is examined against five main criteria:
- Card stock texture and weight. Official cards use a specific stock with a black core layer. Counterfeits often feel too smooth, too thin, or are missing that inner layer entirely, or have it off-center.
- Die-cut precision. The official laser die-cut produces sharp, consistent corners. Counterfeits often show rounded corners, uneven edges, or a slightly misaligned border.
- Holo behavior. The official holographic pattern shifts in a specific way depending on the light angle. A generic, grainy holo, or one that doesn't follow the correct pattern, is a strong counterfeit signal.
- Print quality and alignment. Text sharpness, energy symbol alignment, color accuracy. Counterfeits often show slight blur or colors that drift from the reference.
- Consistency with the set and era. Every set has print characteristics specific to its production period. A card that doesn't match the known characteristics of its stated set gets a closer look.
For a step-by-step guide with concrete examples, see our article How to Spot a Fake Pokémon Card.
The three possible verdicts
- Authentic
- No examined criterion shows an anomaly against verified references. High confidence level.
- Suspicious
- One or more criteria can't be settled with certainty from a distance. A further physical check is recommended before any purchase or sale.
- Likely counterfeit
- Several criteria clearly deviate from known references for this set. The report details every deviation with annotated photos.
When to get a card authenticated
- Before buying a card remotely, especially on a platform with no authenticity guarantee.
- Before selling, to back your listing with an independent report rather than a plain claim.
- Before a grading submission, to avoid a final rejection and fees spent for nothing.
- When in doubt about a card received as a gift or inheritance, whose origin you don’t know.
Authentication and official grading: two different things
Our authentication is an expert opinion based on photos and video — useful before you decide to buy, sell, or commit to the cost of grading. It does not replace official grading (PSA, CGC, BGS), the only sealed, physical verdict recognized on the secondary market. See our grading guide to understand when that extra step is worth it.
What you receive
A PDF report with the verdict (authentic / suspicious / likely counterfeit), the detail of every criterion examined with annotated photos, and a confidence level. See a sample anonymized report.