Are faded Pokémon cards fake?

Faded or discolored Pokémon cards are often a sign that the card is fake, but not always. Here‘s a comprehensive guide on identifying faded or discolored cards and determining if they are genuine or counterfeit:

How to tell if a faded Pokémon card is fake

There are several ways to identify a fake faded Pokémon card:

• Colors are uneven or inaccurate – Genuine cards have sharp, consistent coloring. Fakes tend to have blotchy, uneven colors.

• Text is blurry – The text on real cards is crisp and clear. Fuzzy or blurry text is a red flag.

• Font is off – Subtle differences in font style or size indicates a fake. Compare to real cards.

• Holofoil pattern is wrong – The holofoil pattern on fakes is often stamp printed and not smooth.

• Card lacks texture – Real cards have a textured feel. Fakes tend to be too glossy and smooth.

• Cut and dimensions are off – Fake cards often have inaccurate cuts and size compared to authentic cards.

• Spelling/grammatical errors – Real Pokémon cards do not contain typos or grammatical mistakes.

• Back is lighter blue – Fakes tend to have a washed out, lighter solid blue back instead of the darker blue gradient.

Why do real Pokémon cards fade?

Genuine Pokémon cards can fade or discolor over time due to:

• Sun damage/UV exposure – Sunlight and UV rays will fade and yellow cards, especially holos. Keep cards out of direct sunlight.

• Heat/humidity – Heat and moisture can cause ink colors to run and cards to warp. Store cards in a cool, dry place.

• Oils from handling – Fingers have oils that can leave marks and fade card surfaces. Handle cards carefully along the edges only.

• Age – Older cards from the 90s may naturally fade some over decades.

• Print defects – A small percentage of cards could have defects during printing/production that cause fading.

• Damaged cards – Cards that got wet, bent, scratched etc will likely be faded or discolored in those areas.

Tips for identifying and caring for faded Pokémon cards

• Compare to authentic copies when possible to spot inaccuracies

• Examine cards closely under good lighting and with a magnifier

• Feel the texture – fakes tend to be too smooth and glossy

• Check the font, spelling, punctuation, and grammar

• Store cards properly in sleeves, toploaders, and binders to prevent further fading

• Keep cards away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity

• Be extra cautious when buying obviously faded vintage cards as they are commonly counterfeited

• Consider getting valuable, faded cards professionally graded to authenticate before selling

Are faded Pokémon cards worth anything?

Faded vintage cards generally have very little value, especially common cards. Faded vintage holos or rare cards in poor condition may still carry some value to collectors, but significantly less than a mint copy. Lightly faded cards may retain moderate value. Get valuable faded cards professionally appraised. Modern faded cards also have reduced worth. Severely faded or damaged cards have little to no value.

In summary, faded and discolored Pokémon cards are usually fake, but real cards can naturally fade over time too. Use the above tips to identify counterfeits and properly store cards to preserve their condition and value.