Fake Japanese vintage Pokémon holos: what to check, and how to protect yourself

Why these are harder to spot

One collector who bought a "CD promo" set and compared it with genuine cards reports that this batch fixed earlier giveaways: no lines in the holo, no plain yellow border, a card feel "extremely similar", and a holo he calls "spot on" (u/GuardianofM). That fits what grading companies see: CGC has caught a fake modern Japanese promo printed on an offset press, the same process as genuine cards, and warns "fakes of this type can be very deceptive" (CGC, 2025).

ICv2 reports that counterfeit Pokémon cards submitted to PSA rose 125% in 2025 (ICv2). We have not found a grading-company figure specific to Japanese vintage cards.

What to check, with a loupe

A jeweler's loupe and a card you know is genuine from the same era do most of the work: grading companies authenticate by close inspection of the print and the card (CGC). The lines in italics are his: on the cards he compared, u/GuardianofM reports these possible warning signs. They describe that group of cards and are not proof by themselves.

1. 1
   The dot pattern. Genuine Pokémon cards are printed in four inks whose dots form a "rosette" under magnification (CGC). Seeing rosettes isn't proof: CGC found a Japanese fake with "a similar rosette pattern" (CGC). Compare dot size and spacing.

   ReportedOne collector reports this batch's rosettes are the right shape but smaller than genuine.

2. 2
   The small print and symbols. CGC caught a 1997–98 Japanese fake by its font and the spacing in the illustrator credit (CGC), and Cardmarket notes fakes "often use different fonts" (Cardmarket). Check every energy symbol and the credit line.

   ReportedOne collector reports, on this batch: colorless energy missing its bottom shadow, a white spot instead of a white highlight on the fire energy, and the wrong font in "Illus. Ken Sugimori".

3. 3
   Fine detail. Some fakes reproduce scans, which can leave fine artwork or text fuzzy; CGC describes one whose art is "much fuzzier" than genuine (CGC).

   ReportedOne collector reports a fuzzy Pokémon in the evolution box and pixelated print on some cards in this batch.

4. 4
   The back. CGC has caught fakes by a back that was "much fuzzier" than genuine, and Cardmarket notes color saturation often differs (Cardmarket).

   ReportedOne collector reports this batch's backs have the right pattern but are too dark.

5. 5
   The edge. A genuine card is layered: CGC lists "blue back, white paper, black core, another white layer" on a genuine edge (CGC). A dark line alone doesn't prove anything: some fakes are glued onto real card backs and end up "almost twice as thick" (same source). Core color alone is not a reliable verdict. One experienced collector observed a whitish-silver-looking core on a Japanese holo promo; compare the edge with a known-genuine card of the same type.

   ReportedOne collector reports this batch is thicker, with an obvious black line.

Two tests to skip

Buying with less risk

About the "CD promo" cards

The Japanese "CD promo" Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise are non-glossy holo promos. They were distributed through a 1998 mail-in trade campaign and later included with the Pokémon Song Best Collection CD in January 1999. Collector sources describe cards from the two releases as indistinguishable (Elite Fourum, PokéZentrum). Their value makes them a target, so they're worth the full check above.