A scandal is emerging in the vintage Pokémon Trading Card Game community, involving possibly counterfeit prototype cards may have been graded and authenticated by a major grading company. When discussing vintage Pokémon cards or other trading cards, much of the value comes from receiving a grade from a card grading service like CGC or PSA. These card companies grade the quality of cards and authenticate them, making sure that the cards aren't counterfeit. However, a number of supposedly vintage Pokémon card prototypes are now coming under scrutiny for possibly being printed last year.
Last year, CGC announced that they were working with Pokémon TCG developer Takumi Akabane to authenticate a number of prototype Pokémon cards. These cards were created as prototypes to test printing abilities and gameplay ahead of the actual game's release. Hundreds of cards were authenticated by CGC, with some even signed by Akabane himself. However, Pokémon TCG site PokeBeach reports that some of the cards may be counterfeit. Metadata printed on yellow dots by the card printer indicates that the cards were made in 2024 instead of 1996.
It's currently unclear how many of the prototype cards could be involved in the alleged counterfeit scandal. In response...
