Are McDonald‘s Pokémon Cards Real or Fake?

As an avid Pokémon card collector and gaming enthusiast, this is a question I have researched in depth. And the answer is – the McDonald‘s Pokémon cards that were recently re-released in 2022 are absolutely authentic and officially licensed.

But counterfeits and fakes definitely exist in the hobby. As a collector it‘s important to learn how to spot them, so you don‘t get scammed by shady sellers!

A History of McDonald‘s and Pokémon Collaborations

This recent 2022 McDonald‘s set that has 25 classic Pokémon is not their first time partnering up. McDonald‘s and the Pokémon Company have come together multiple times over the past 20 years to offer exclusive trading cards.

Some other notable McDonald‘s Pokémon card sets:

• 2010 – Black & White expansion cards
• 2018 – Brand new art for popular Pokémon like Pikachu and Eevee
• 2021 – Special 25th anniversary series with holofoil starters

And these McDonald‘s editions have become pretty valuable collectors items on the secondary market over time! More on specific card values later.

But first, let‘s go over…

How to Verify Authenticity of McDonald‘s Pokémon Cards

As an avid collector, I‘ve handled my fair share of fake cards over the years. And let me tell you – counterfeiters are getting sneaky good these days!

Thankfully there are ways to identify guaranteed fakes, as well as just give your cards the benefit of the doubt:

Physical Inspection

• The rip test – Carefully rip the card and look at the cross-section. There should be a black ink layer visible, which counterfeits often don‘t replicate.

• Spelling errors – This one is obvious, but fake cards often have typos, bad grammar or even the wrong Pokémon name!

• Font – Font can vary a bit set by set, but a fake will often use the wrong or completely made up font.

• Holofoil pattern – Authentic holos have a circle/crosshatch pattern. Fakes will look blurry.

Comparing Key Elements

• Colors – Each Pokémon has official color schemes. A Charmander card should not be purple!

• Card borders – Borders have specific finish patterns that can help identify fakes.

• Copyright text – Should specifically reference McDonald‘s and the Pokémon Company.

Leveraging 3rd Party Authentication

• Companies like PSA offer professional grading services that certify both condition and authenticity.

So with a keen eye and knowledge of what to look for, spotting fake McDonald‘s Pokémon cards isn‘t too tricky. Just use caution when buying singles from random sellers, as you don‘t know their reputation or level of expertise.

Next let‘s examine why some official McDonald‘s cards are worth more than others…

Pokémon Card Values – Why are Some McDonald‘s Cards Worth More?

Let‘s start by looking at what raw McDonald‘s Pokémon cards are selling for these days on the second-hand marketplace:

As you can see, the regular commons are cheap but holos carry a premium. This is primarily because pull rates for holos are much lower than commons – making them more rare.

The holy grail McDonald‘s card is the 2022 Holo Pikachu which consistently sells for $15+ and even over $25 in really good condition.

But why are specific Pokémon always the most in-demand cards? As a gaming super fan, here is my take:

Popularity Rules All for Pokémon Valuation

There are a few key factors that make a Pokémon valuable to collectors, including:

• Nostalgic Factor – OG Pokémon like Charizard and Pikachu have a special place in our hearts!

• Competitive Viability – Cards for Pokémon that are useful in the actual card game hold more value

• Appeal Factor – Iconic Pokémon are just more exciting to own and show off!

  Let‘s use Pikachu to demonstrate appeal factor. As the cherished face of Pokémon, the iconic electric mouse drives hype regardless of any tangible playing utility. And hype means demand. Demand means higher valuation!

This popularity effect applies heavily to the McDonald‘s cards. Since kids ultimately end up with most of these cards, they just want the Pokémon mascot they know and love – Pikachu!

So in summary, popularity rules all when evaluating Pokémon card worth. But remember, condition is king as well. A beat up 1st Edition Base Set Charizard is still desirable. But one in Pristine "Perfect 10" shape will always command exponentially more value with collectors.

Real vs Fake McDonald‘s Pokémon Card Examples

Let me show you some easy tells for spotting fake McDonald‘s Pokémon cards:

Pretty easy to visually spot the difference! And there are other more complex techniques master authenticators use as well. But just study genuine cards closely so you can quickly identify discrepancies.

Concluding Thoughts on McDonald‘s Pokémon Card Authenticity

I hope this in-depth guide clearly answers the pressing question – "Are McDonald‘s Pokémon Cards Real or Fake?". Let me provide a quick recap:

• McDonald‘s occasionally partners with The Pokémon Company to offer exclusive cards – they are 100% officially licensed and real!

• But fakes are produced, so you must verify by checking fonts, colors, the rip test and other tells

• Condition drastically impacts price, but popularity drives base value (like the 2022 Holo Pikachu worth $25+)

• Take the time to compare real vs fake examples, so you can confidently identify counterfeit cards

As a lifelong gaming enthusiast, I love opportunities for fans to expand their collections through promotions like these McDonald’s sets! Just be very wary of scammers trying to take advantage of new collectors with counterfeits.

Now it‘s time for me to get back to tracking down one of those coveted Pikachu cards before the supply disappears! Gotta catch ‘em all!

Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions around Pokémon card authenticity or valuations!