I do have both versions, tomorrow I will check and upload if necessary.
This card doesn’t have post Key solid black ink applied on top of the rest for the text characters.
I checked and it’s not. My larger rarity symbol copy is not bolder so no relation between larger symbol and thicker font. It seems to be a change in design rather than extra black ink.
Note aside, the Test Print does have more black halftones (the ones printed with CMY) and post black overprint (the solid text) than the regular Expansion Pack version. This is expected as they should be different prints. For example, Shadowless and “Disco” Holo Shadowless appear to be the same print, but they are not. Ink pattern is different. They also differ in other more obvious design aspects visible to the naked eye such as no energy symbols, Basic Pokémon or errata, but that’s not my point.
Hope this helped!
I see, in this case it appears as your no-opaque layer copy has a bit more black ink than the copy you are comparing it with. The kanji is slightly bolder as well, could be my eyes ![]()
I think this is relevant enough to update this thread. ARS (Authentic Rating Service) the card grading company based in Tokyo is grading these cards.
Their description:
Charizard
Back: Nidoking
Pokémon Card Game
This card features Charizard printed on the front and Nidoking printed on the back.
The front surface is fully covered with a foil treatment similar to that used on rare holo cards, while the back surface is fully covered with a mirror-like foil treatment.
After conducting authentication and equipment-based verification, we have confirmed that this item is a test print produced during the actual manufacturing process of the Pokémon Card Game.
Because its specifications are identical to those of Ancient Mew, which appeared in the 1999 film Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One, we believe this item was tested around the time Ancient Mew was being produced.
We have determined that this item is not counterfeit, but an authentic Pokémon Card originating from the official manufacturing process.
リザードン
裏面:ニドキング
ポケットモンスターカードゲーム
本品は、表面にリザードン、裏面にニドキングが印刷されたカードです。
表面にはレアホロカードと同様のフォイル加工が全面に施されており、裏面にはミラー状のフォイル加工が全面に施されています。
弊社にて鑑定および機材による検証を実施した結果、本品は実際のポケットモンスターカードゲームの製造工程において作成されたテストプリント品であると確認しております。
また、本品の仕様は、1999年公開の映画『ルギア爆誕』にて登場した「古代ミュウ」と同様の特徴を有していることから、弊社では古代ミュウの制作時期にテストされた個体である可能性が高いと考えております。
本品は偽物ではなく、ポケットモンスターカードゲームの製造過程に由来する真正品であると判断しております。
My opinion on these have shifted over time. I now am inclined to believe that the forgeries surrounding Akabane et al. were ultimately pretty unsophisticated (ie. simple photocopying, inkjet printing) and there’s no evidence of any fabricated offset prints I’m aware of. That said, the association to the individuals would be enough hesitation for me to not slab them at PFM Grading Inc. While I believe all the tools were present to be able to manufacture these in 2024, I think there was lower hanging fruit that was easier to grab for them. Plus we probably would have seen a full Charizard sheet instead if it was faked lol
I’m on the same boat. I yet have to see proof of a Media Factory quality card being replicated decades later. And for the Charizard sheet just give Etsy some more time.
Who told you about the full charizard sheet? Is this where the hype line starts?
/s

