How to Legit Check Simplified Chinese Pokemon Cards | KrystalKollectz

How to Legit Check Simplified Chinese Pokemon Cards | KrystalKollectz

Just because a Pokemon card is from China, doesn't mean it's fake. However, you also don't need to be able to read or understand Chinese to determine if a Pokemon card from Mainland China is real or not. 

This article will give you some pointers on how to legit check any Simplified Chinese Pokemon card. Thankfully, Pokemon China considered the potential production of counterfeits and therefore went the extra mile to help collectors confirm whether they're buying the real deal or not.

Before getting into detail, please note that there are TWO separate categories of Chinese Pokemon cards: Traditional & Simplified. If you don't know the differences between them, I recommend watching this explanation video from my Youtube Channel to learn the differences before reading further.

Some major signs of legitimacy to look out for include:

- A holographic circular sticker on the packaging. This sticker will display the official English & S-Chinese Pokemon logos along with a number beneath them (which seems to be unique for each individual item - even booster boxes of the same set will each have different numbers). These holographic stickers are also found on tags of official Pokemon plushies from Mainland China and packaging of collectible figures (by Funism, for example).
         

 

Pokemon logo embossed into the bottom left corner of any card with holofoil (GX, V, VMAX, ex, ARs, SARs, etc.); With this being said, you won't see the logo on the common & uncommon Pokemon cards*. Since this logo is essentially textured, it will be difficult for counterfeits to be made (especially if the fakes are photocopied). If you see a Pokemon logo, but it's not obviously textured, then it's likely a counterfeit card. Be mindful that this logo can be hard to capture on photos due to the lack of color contrast - it's much easier to see these logos in person.
Simplified Chinese Pokemon authenticity logo stamp
*NOTE: Traditional Chinese Pokemon cards from Taiwan & Hong Kong WON'T have the Pokemon logo on the bottom left corner
                         
this includes the 5th anniversary Pikachu promo (NOT a Simplified Chinese release)

       - A lenticular Pokemon logo near the bottom right corner (for rarities RR, SR & higher), which
          alternates to a Poke Ball logo (depending on how the light reflects on it).
                             
                      (Pokémon logo showing)   
 
                 
                       (Poké Ball logo showing)
(Card: Tera Forretress ex 005/130 RR from csv3C)

Other signs of legitimate S-Chinese Pokemon cards: 
International card backing
   - for all non-Japanese Pokemon cards
 Japanese card quality 🇯🇵
   - S-Chinese Pokemon cards are printed in Japan 
   - has thin card texturing & glossy holo foil

• Specific Pull rates
   - will vary by the set & type of booster boxes (slim pack vs. jumbo pack).
   - If you want more details, please refer to my opening videos on Youtube (Krystalkollectz).

       • Unique reverse holo patterns 
           - for common, uncommon & holo rare cards:                             
                                    (Sun & Moon era) 
                                   
                      (Sword & Shield era)
                             
                        (Scarlet & Violet era)
       
Shrink wrap of booster boxes will vary between slim & jumbo pack booster boxes.
    - Since early Sword & Shield era (set ID: cs3aC/cs3bC & cs3.5C), jumbo pack boxes & sub set boxes (anything with .5 in the set ID) have shrink wrap with the Poké Ball logo.
    - Shrink wrap on others (slim pack boxes, sub set & jumbo pack boxes prior cs3aC/cs3bC) have no Poké Ball logo.
    - NOTE: Some shrink wrap with Poké Ball logos have been found on fake boxes (particularly for Collect 151 Surprise). However, the Poké Ball logos can be removed with tape on fake boxes but are not removable with tape from the shrink wrap of legitimate boxes.

                (no Poké Ball logo shrink wrap)

                  (with Poké Ball shrink wrap)     

             
                                          
With this information, you should hopefully feel more confident in distinguishing real Simplified Chinese Pokemon cards from any counterfeit versions. No need to do any "rip tests." Do you really want to try ripping any of the exclusive Pikachu Art Rares from Collect 151? 

Anyways, thanks for reading!
- Krystal

Other related videos from my Youtube channel:
Collect 151 Journey Opening + Explanation
Bonus Round [csv4C] Opening + Explanation
Fearless Terastal [csv3C] Opening + Explanation
Gem Pack Vol. 2 [CBB2C] Opening + Explanation
Gem Pack Vol 1. [CBB1C] Opening + Explanation
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