1. Card size is the same as a current card (Beta or Alpha cut and size). Just put a real card on top and check for
aberrations. Some fakes simply aren't cut to the correct size and that's all you have to check to know!

2. Card back is same coloration and clarity as a current card (fakes are often much more blurry and miscolored).
Use a regular card to check the coloration. Also closely inspect and feel the back of the card for any small
bubbles, wrinkles or roughness from a glue-on forgery.

3. Card title, card type and artist credits are crisp and clear like a current card (the title, card type and artist
credit are most blurred on fakes--more than the flavor text on the card or the card description text, perhaps
because the flavor text is black it is easier to print crisply.)

4. Card corners are nicely rounded and are not roughly cut. A die press will cut a nice clean corner, wheras a
fake that has been razor blade cut will often not have a nice clean cut. Note that the corners of a real card are
not perfectly rounded, you can look at a recent card to see the slight unrounded shape but the quality of the
corner cuts of real cards is very high.

5. I have enough experience to know the feel of the thickness of real and fake cards. Some fakes are a bit too
thick since they are actually collector's edition cards glued onto a sanded land card. If you have a caliper you
can measure the difference most times, but the feel of the card is usually off for these cards.

6. About the Bend Test: All the bend test does is to determine that the card is made of high quality cardstock.
Most high end fakes easily pass the bend test so it is worthless. Also, if you bend a real Magic card enough times
it will also crease, so don't do it!

7. About scans: Computer monitor and scan resolutions aren't usually sufficient to catch the high quality
forgeries. Typically you can't even see NM from EX condition from a scan so don't think that saves you from
forgeries!

8. More subtle info: This site is fairly good for additional counterfeit detection tips such as folks black-bordering
revised cards to pass them as Betas (check for the bevel), or folks black bordering Chronicles to pass them as
Legends (check the sword symbol and the copyright date). It's certainly worth a visit and was put together by MOTL member Twink:

http://www.rit.edu/~tpw4968/mtg/fake/

9. Card Cleaners: There are folks out there who can "restore" cards to a higher quality through artistic ability and
use of certain inks. Amazingly, these restored cards often require a scope to detect but fortunately very few
folks have this ability and knowledge. If you get cards from NY, be more careful about "restored" cards. I will not
share any more that I know about this process so please don't bother to ask!

10. Key Cards: Several years ago, a crooked printer actually ran off a ton of fakes that hit the market severely.
They included all the P9 in BB and WB, LoA, Mirror, Ali, Juzam, BB Duals, Moat, Mana Drain, Abyss, and I'm sure
others that I'm forgetting. Be careful when dealing with these older expensive cards.

I hope these few basic tips prevent some of our members from being ripped off. I also hope that increased
awareness and education regarding counterfeits make rippers avoid MOTL in general due to knowledge and
caution of it's members. Happy trading and if you need more help feel free to email me!

thanks for the info, I have now checked my Mirror Universe. It may be a lot of fake mirrors out there, but I done all the checks, and so far, the card looks like every other magic card.

So I don't believe its fake.

Thank you for reading.

inca911 i applaud you for your posting of this information.

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