Checking MTG collection

[MagicCardCollector]

Hi everyone,

I've been out of Magic for almost 20 years and now came back, mostly collecting cards as I have found out about MKM and have purchased a good number of cards from them already. I live in Europe :)

I have no reason to believe there is something wrong, but I'd like to make sure I'm not getting fakes as it seems that nowadays that is a common concern. I have seen some videos and read some posts about spotting fake cards, but would like to know what are the best known methods for spotting counterfeits in 2016.

So far I've seen the following tests:
- Bend test: older cards may fail this.
- Light test: You probably need a card you know is real from the same set to make this valid
- UV light test: again, it seems you need a comparison term.
- Jewelers loupe: pretty much check the entire card and see if there's any difference at all from a card you know is good once again.
- High Resolution Scans.

I may be mistaken, so please enlighten me on this. I purchased a good number of cards recently and wasn't aware this was such a big deal nowadays.

Thanks for any help!
Rick

[Begle1]

Bend tests are pretty frowned upon, since they do invisible damage to legitimate cards.

I'm not an expert, but with a magnifying glass/ ~20x loupe you can compare the dot pattern of text, borders, and the picture between a known-good card of the same set and the card in question. Then you can compare the edge of the card; most (all?) sets have a sandwiched core that you can see if you look close enough. Then hold them up to a bright light.

Those tests are all non-destructive and I don't know if anybody has figured out how to copy those characteristics.

I hope somebody would figure it out, though.

[ESG]

In person you should be able to compare any two cards and tell if something doesn't look or feel right. Online it's harder to make those determinations. I recommend ordering from large vendors and individuals you trust. When you have the cards in your possession, you can then scrutinize them further if necessary. A jeweler's loupe and a strong light are probably the best tools. A sensitive scale and a UV light would be the next set of tools, but I wouldn't bother unless you are buying from shady people or getting too-good-to-be-true deals.

Whatever you do, please do not bend your cards or put water on them unless you want them damaged. Every time I read "bend test," I cringe.

[Stevestamopz]

As far as I can tell, the best test is to buy a few fakes for yourself and then compare real ones to them. They are noticeably different when put right next to each other.

[MagicCardCollector]

Yeah, can't say the bend test makes me feel very comfortable. I'm kind of happy you don't recommend it.
I've also read about taking card weight so I might get a good scale for it.

[jandax]

Don't invest big money into anti counterfeit measures. Just buy from a local (or internet) reputable dealer if possible, stay away from eBay, and if possible hold the cards before you buy them. Fakes aren't the problem they're made out to be. Going through trusted retailers and vendors is the best way to get your cards.


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[MagicCardCollector]

Don't invest big money into anti counterfeit measures. Just buy from a local (or internet) reputable dealer if possible, stay away from eBay, and if possible hold the cards before you buy them. Fakes aren't the problem they're made out to be. Going through trusted retailers and vendors is the best way to get your cards.


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I hear you, so far I've been buying from MagicCardMarket in Europe from vendors with high reputation. I hope that's enough and will keep me trouble free!

[jandax]

In the end you buy from a trusted vendor because they're doing the work of sorting out any fakes for you. Outsource this work and make your collecting enjoyable


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[Ace/Homebrew]

Buy somewhat played cards. 20+ year old cards will accumulate wear and dirt in a manner newly printed cards have not.

[raudo]

I have run in the fakes even from reliable sellers in MCM. Light test is usually enough.

[MagicCardCollector]

I have run in the fakes even from reliable sellers in MCM. Light test is usually enough.

What do you see in particular that's makes it stand out as a fake with a light test?
As I understand it should be just how much light passes through or is it something else you notice?

Thanks.

[dragonwisdom]

What do you see in particular that's makes it stand out as a fake with a light test?
As I understand it should be just how much light passes through or is it something else you notice?

Thanks.


1) light passes through a mtg card quite easily. A fake card won't show much light through. Though some of the good fakes pass the
light test.

Use a bright LED fashlight that you can get for 5 bucks on amazon. Next, use a real card/basic land and compare this to the card from ebay.

2) find a jewlers loupe for about 10 bucks on amazon and check for the crispness of the text.

3) Never buy fakes or "proxies". It just encourages fakes.

4) Chas Anders (google it from starcity) wrote a great article on the implications of fakes

5) Fakes have always been out there, but some people in the mtg community need to take it more seriously and stop defending the practice. This comment will make people mad, but I don't care. Indistinguishable fakes, greed, lack of common sense and extreme apathy will destroy magic as we know it, if we as a community are not vigilant.

6) if you see a fakes online, do your civic duty and contact wizards of the coast and report it.

7) it is true that if you buy and pay a premium to a reputable dealer that you will likely have less headaches. You wallet will just hurt a little more.

[MagicCardCollector]

1) light passes through a mtg card quite easily. A fake card won't show much light through. Though some of the good fakes pass the
light test.

Use a bright LED fashlight that you can get for 5 bucks on amazon. Next, use a real card/basic land and compare this to the card from ebay.

2) find a jewlers loupe for about 10 bucks on amazon and check for the crispness of the text.

3) Never buy fakes or "proxies". It just encourages fakes.

4) Chas Anders (google it from starcity) wrote a great article on the implications of fakes

5) Fakes have always been out there, but some people in the mtg community need to take it more seriously and stop defending the practice. This comment will make people mad, but I don't care. Indistinguishable fakes, greed, lack of common sense and extreme apathy will destroy magic as we know it, if we as a community are not vigilant.

6) if you see a fakes online, do your civic duty and contact wizards of the coast and report it.

7) it is true that if you buy and pay a premium to a reputable dealer that you will likely have less headaches. You wallet will just hurt a little more.

Thanks for the clarification :)