If you see a bunch of kids sitting together in a circle, it is very likely that they are playing card games with their Pokemon cards, or comparing their cards, and even trading them. Swapping Pokemon cards, and getting the best ‘deal’ from his friends, could be the issue that is uppermost in a 7-year-old’s mind.
Avid Pokemon card collectors may ask, ‘What size are Pokemon cards?’ This is an important question for a Pokemon card collector because he will want to make sure that his cards are genuine Pokemon cards. He will also need an album with sleeves that are exactly the right size to accommodate his Pokemon cards.
When and Where Did Pokemon Originate?
Pokemon was created in Japan, by Satoshi Tajiri, in 1995. In Japan, it is also sometimes called Pocket Monsters. It started out as a game with picture cards that were used for trading. It soon evolved into a video game as well and took the world by storm.
The Pokemon Company was founded by and is still owned by the popular video game company, Nintendo. Many of the world’s children have grown up playing Pokemon games, and Pokemon cards are amongst their most prized possessions.
What Size are Pokemon Cards?
All genuine Pokemon cards are a standard size. The regular cards are exactly 6.3 x 8.8 cm, or 2.48 x 3.56 inches. There are also Jumbo cards, which, as their name suggests, are much bigger.
Not all Jumbo Pokemon cards are exactly the same size. It depends on which series they belong to, and when they were made. A genuine Jumbo Pokemon card may be as long as 8 inches.
How To Tell If A Pokemon Card Is A Fake
Because Pokemon cards are so popular, there will always be people who will try to lay their hands on them without being prepared to pay the full price. As a result, it did not take too long before some unscrupulous individuals started producing counterfeit, or fake Pokemon cards.
There are many unauthorized copies of Pokemon cards in circulation. People buy these because they are cheaper than the originals, and often it is difficult to differentiate the copies from the originals.
However, there are certain tell-tale signs to watch out for. The serious Pokemon fan who knows his cards well will be able to spot a fake. These are the main signs that should help you to tell if your cards are genuine or counterfeit.
- If you know what size Pokemon cards are, it is easier to spot a fake. As mentioned earlier, the size of Pokemon cards is uniform. All Pokemon cards are exactly the same size. This is one way of telling if a Pokemon card is the real thing, or if it is a counterfeit. Many of the unauthorized copies are either very slightly bigger or smaller than the real thing.
- If you are concerned that a Pokemon card may be fake, check all the spelling carefully. Most counterfeit cards are made in China. Many items that are produced in China display very poor English. On counterfeit Pokemon cards, you will often see spelling errors.
- Every Pokemon card has a clearly visible number. Examine these numbers carefully to check for fake cards. On counterfeit cards, often either the entire number or a part of it is illegible because the digits have been blurred.
- Every Pokemon card’s number is unique. On counterfeit cards, you may find completely different cards, all displaying an identical number. This is a clear giveaway that the card is not genuine.Every genuine original Pokemon card has a little symbol alongside the identifying number on the card. This symbol will be one of 3 shapes; either a diamond, a star shape, or a circle. The shape symbol tells you how rare or how common the card is, which is also an indication of the card’s value.If a Pokemon card does not have this tiny little symbol next to its number, or if the symbol is some other shape, the chances are that the card is a fake. Millions of counterfeit cards have been produced without this symbol.
To sum up, when buying Pokemon cards, it is important to know what size Pokemon cards are. If you are able to measure accurately, you will be able to spot if a card is not a genuine Pokemon card that has come from the original manufacturers in Japan.
