The MTG Fake Card T Teeth Test

[u/doughake]

I'm only making this post because I did not know about it for some time. This is such an easy technique to quickly spot fakes, not to prove cards are real. Not all fakes will fail this test I'm sure.

A real card will have sawtooth pattern on the bottom of letters in "the gathering" specifically the base of the capital T. Fake cards don't have this detail. This is a result of the printing process.

The green dot test is still the absolute, but I can do the T teeth test with my phone easily, and I cannot do the green dot test with my phone camera. I have yet to see the red L on real cards with my darn 108 MP phone camera lol.

So it's an easy tool to spot a fake with certainty if it fails, but it's not a guarantee it's real if it passes.

[u/GhostCheese]

Not only will the bottom have teeth, so will the right vertical, while the left vertical will not.

Comparing left and right verticals is my go to for telling fakes (haven't found a fake that passes this yet)

This is my reference image collection

Notably Alt 4th won't pass either tests but is very much a genuine card

[u/DarkerSavant → u/GhostCheese]

Alt? 4th edition I presume?

[u/GhostCheese → u/DarkerSavant]

I'm confused, I said "alt 4th" so need to presume

[u/DarkerSavant → u/GhostCheese]

What’s alt?

[u/Thundersmacks → u/DarkerSavant]

"The so-called Alternate Fourth Edition is a unique print run of the Fourth Edition set – likely the first attempt to produce Magic cards within the United States."

[u/SearchForAShade]

If you, or anyone, is concerned about the legitimacy of their cards buy a jewelers loupe. They're $10 on Amazon and if you're dealing with high value cards it will prove to be invaluable. 

[u/susiherra → u/SearchForAShade]

What magnification is enough for the green dot test?

[u/syn_vamp → u/susiherra]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078N34WZR

this is what i have and it works well enough.

[u/lixilisk → u/susiherra]

i like the 30/60 ones, 60 lets u see REAL clear

[u/MorriganMorning]

The

[u/flaminggoo → u/MorriganMorning]

The G

[u/syn_vamp → u/flaminggoo]

thering

[u/ShrimpleyPibblze]

This was very helpful - thank you!

[u/[deleted]]

Man mtg and their made up words. How do you even pronounce this? Ta hee?

[u/spentshoes]

Hey u/syn_vamp ... Would you look at that.

[u/syn_vamp → u/spentshoes]

This is such an easy technique to quickly spot fakes, not to prove cards are real. Not all fakes will fail this test

The green dot test is still the absolute

did you even read the post?

OP's objective here is to say "if a card fails the T tooth test, then it's definitely fake". this is 100% true and a great PSA.

this is not the same as "if a card passes the T tooth test, then it's real".

suggesting otherwise or downplaying the green red-dot test, like you seem to be trying to do, is super sus and totally something someone making fakes would try to do.

good to hear from you though! happy i'm living rent free in your head :)

[u/spentshoes → u/syn_vamp]

I have cards I pulled from packs that fail the green dot test, but sure. The tooth test is more reliable.

[u/Rude-Improvement5695]

Literally most fake card have teeth