# Fake Topps stickers graded by Beckett **URL:** \ **Category:** Grading\ **Tags:** fake, topps, bgs, charizard\ **Created:** [September 11, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666 "2023-09-11T20:38:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Versy](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/versy/32/28161_2.png) [@Versy](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Versy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/1 "2023-09-11T20:38:58Z")
So I went down a bit of a rabbit hole yesterday after stumbling upon this Facebook sales post of a guy selling “mint / never vended” “1999 Topps vending cards”. ![23-09-11-8583](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/6/b6d626190bc50a5af5a4199a1bf80f9b112ee1b9.png) ![376275150_10225504838547903_6641032376445439045_n](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/8/58e5fc57aa0869acecb229aeccb8706258537e6b.jpeg) The problem is Topps never manufactured or released “vending cards”. I felt buyers should be aware that these aren’t authentic Topps cards so I left a comment politely letting people know these aren’t authentic, which then angered the seller who said I was “sabotaging his post”. It goes on for a bit but TL;DR is I asked the guy for evidence that the cards were authentic Topps and he was unable to provide anything, nor did he seem to even know what he had. He has since blocked me. I don’t really care if someone’s selling fake cards, but at least let buyers know what they’re buying. But besides that point: now I’m wondering how the hell did the Charizard get authenticated by Beckett if it’s fake? **A bit of background on Topps cards for those unfamiliar:** Topps (well-known for sports cards with the pointy square edges) made 12 sets of Pokemon cards based on the anime and the first two films from 1999 through 2004. The original cards were released in packs and have sharp edges with varying holofoil patterns, depending on the set. These “vending” cards have round edges and also all the marks of a bootleg such as: shoddy print quality, holofoil patterns not used in authentic Topps cards, cropped artwork and even missing pokemon names (look at the Raichu and Gloom cards) ![23-09-11-8584](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/f/5f9eedfc1553e0286e67cc368159b42473dec62b.jpeg) Reddit user Daniel Girard Bolduc made this comparison on a [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/tradingcardcommunity/comments/t0cjbh/value_of_pokemon_topps_cards_from_1999/) between a bootleg “vending sticker” Butterfree and an authentic Topps card. As you can see the artwork is cropped in further than on the original. This is because when printing cards you need to allow “bleed” so you can cut the card without any white showing around the edges. However, because bootleggers are using scans of existing cards, they don’t have the original art files and need to crop the artwork slightly smaller to compensate. ![WHZ2BWq](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/b/3/b300bbbab9865da479a49b5b86eb7fd9341552bb.jpeg) So why are they called “vending” cards? Because back in the day various companies made fun holofoil bootlegs of either existing pokemon cards or made their own unauthorized cards for use in vending machines. Some of them were actually stickers you could peel off and put on your binder. I got a few myself as a kid outside the local convenience store. They’re fairly popular still for nostalgia value, but they are not authentic Pokemon merchandise. ![23-09-11-8585](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/7/4/74fc4c880b99ded94f24ba7ad53eac0bf8a04101.jpeg) ANYWAY! So how did this Charizard get authenticated?? The [cert checked out](https://www.beckett.com/grading/card-lookup?item_type=BGS&item_id=0011471267&submit=Submit&submit=Submit) so it wasn’t tampered with. ![23-09-10-8570](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/7/c/7cc47ba13e9b7786dae09adf9090197e0d039d11.png) I decided to ask Beckett directly. ![23-09-11-8589](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/d/0/d029b9e93179fe244d48535f417f5ec1762f6504.png) Okay, that explains the “0” on the POP report I guess, but no explanation on the authenticity yet. ![23-09-11-8588](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/a/ead9767d5ffb0741cf7b6a66c2a08652cda30756.png) Again no answer… and some confusion. ![23-09-11-8590](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/0/50bd99bc443881f6d96d1d748bcc8c3540cab620.png) And now this. So they confirmed they authenticated it… but they can’t give me any information on the set because it’s not on the pop report… even though they authenticated it… So anyway that’s where I currently am. I still 100% believe the cards are fake and that Beckett graded a fake card. I’m more than happy to eat my hat if the cards turn out to be legit somehow, but all evidence is pointing otherwise. At this point I’m just trying to let Beckett know they should remove this card and any others like it from their database and acknowledge the cards are not authentic. ---
**Author:** ![philzcardz](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/philzcardz/32/33791_2.png) [@philzcardz](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/philzcardz)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/2 "2023-09-11T21:07:19Z")
Is it just me or does the explanation for why the pop report is showing 0 make no sense? Like, if they have the data, why not just show it. Why does there need to be a number of “required” cards in circulation for them to properly show pop report. Honestly, I’m guessing they have some bugs in their system that aren’t properly showing the pop and they don’t want to admit that. Sorry, I digress from the topic ---
**Author:** ![decoypalmette](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/decoypalmette/32/254336_2.png) [@decoypalmette](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/decoypalmette)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/3 "2023-09-11T21:20:08Z")
Awesome analysis, they better respond or deactivate that cert. Probably super dumb, but I’m really not a topps expert. Is this another fake graded by Beckett? ![IMG_3090](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/2/d/2d10cc521da51aed7317b7da5833dbd111a0f0d2.jpeg) [https://goldinauctions.com/1996\_topps\_pokemon\_vending\_series\_\_6\_charizard\_pri-lot73039.aspx](https://goldinauctions.com/1996_topps_pokemon_vending_series__6_charizard_pri-lot73039.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Versy](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/versy/32/28161_2.png) [@Versy](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Versy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/4 "2023-09-11T21:31:09Z")
Yep I posted about this in a Discord server and someone brought up the same one. So far we’ve found two of these graded fake cards. I emailed Topps as well to see if they would be able to comment. ---
**Author:** ![omic](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/omic/32/762_2.png) [@omic](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/omic)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/5 "2023-09-11T22:03:09Z")
There are some listing on eBay stating that “Beckett will grade these”, so this does indeed affect the market (some prices are already crazy). The copyright on the back seems the same as originals. It just feel so bad to look at. ![s-l1600 (1)](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/8/3828c2878bca2feadaa88a3a40e03b9f3bbd0993.jpeg) ![s-l1600](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/5/4/542f9b9bfdd6caf90a7dddbde204e994de762a9e.jpeg) Oh god… this is going to be a fun journey! ---
**Author:** ![thsigma](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/thsigma/32/2419_2.png) [@thsigma](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/thsigma)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 10:10pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/6 "2023-09-11T22:10:35Z")
Fake topps cards. Thought I’d seen everything ---
**Author:** ![Dyl](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dyl/32/234623_2.png) [@Dyl](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Dyl)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/7 "2023-09-11T22:26:45Z")
I’ve always felt that fake Topps cards are the bottom of the barrel. Honestly, how much money are you going to make by faking Topps cards? Why not try for something a bit more substantial? 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Typhlosion\_Collector](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/typhlosion_collector/32/27302_2.png) [@Typhlosion\_Collector](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Typhlosion_Collector)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 1:18am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/8 "2023-09-12T01:18:32Z")
If there’s money to be made, someone will try it. ---
**Author:** ![lyleberr](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lyleberr/32/156919_2.png) [@lyleberr](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lyleberr)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/9 "2023-09-12T01:25:13Z")
@Typhlosion_Collector As if you wouldnt buy a fake Typhlosion 😂. I find the rounded corners so odd on these. It just looks weird on Topps cards. ---
**Author:** ![Typhlosion\_Collector](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/typhlosion_collector/32/27302_2.png) [@Typhlosion\_Collector](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Typhlosion_Collector)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/10 "2023-09-12T01:33:10Z")
Oh I would buy it if it existed 😅 ---
**Author:** ![smpratte](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/smpratte/32/79511_2.png) [@smpratte](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/smpratte)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 1:34am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/11 "2023-09-12T01:34:37Z")
People collect topps cards?! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wisewailmer](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/wisewailmer/32/179572_2.png) [@wisewailmer](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/wisewailmer)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 1:38am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/12 "2023-09-12T01:38:33Z")
fake pokemon poker cards next… ---
**Author:** ![Miller1170](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/miller1170/32/39454_2.png) [@Miller1170](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Miller1170)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 2:16am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/13 "2023-09-12T02:16:30Z")
It’s worthwhile to note, that these are not topps cards. They vending stickers similar to prisms. I can confirm they are not fake and know if several people who have them. ---
**Author:** ![A.P.Speeze](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/a.p.speeze/32/154261_2.png) [@A.P.Speeze](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/A.P.Speeze)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 3:09am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/14 "2023-09-12T03:09:58Z")
> [@Miller1170](#): > > I can confirm they are not fake How? ---
**Author:** ![Miller1170](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/miller1170/32/39454_2.png) [@Miller1170](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Miller1170)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/15 "2023-09-12T03:31:15Z")
I know of several people who got them from vending machines themselves and have them in personal collections. I also have some in my collection. Beckett has also not graded 1 or 2 but there are currently 6 graded. There are four levels to these cards similar to topps chromes. There is the herringbone, squares, fireworks, and stars in order of rarity. ---
**Author:** ![Miller1170](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/miller1170/32/39454_2.png) [@Miller1170](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Miller1170)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/16 "2023-09-12T03:31:25Z")
![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/a/6/a688a4410534af8d7ac952187cada52b92353533.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Miller1170](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/miller1170/32/39454_2.png) [@Miller1170](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Miller1170)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/17 "2023-09-12T03:31:31Z")
Also to address the concern of some don’t say the pokemon name. They all do. The patterns make it hard to see sometimes in pictures. That raichu and gloom op mentions, both have names on the cards they are hard to see. If you go look at the post on Facebook you can see them if you zoom in. It looks like the zards in my photo don’t say charizard but they do. ---
**Author:** ![pfm](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pfm/32/254328_2.png) [@pfm](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/pfm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 3:51am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/18 "2023-09-12T03:51:29Z")
> [@Miller1170](#): > > I know of several people who got them from vending machines themselves and have them in personal collections. That’s proof that they exist, not evidence of authenticity. Is there anything to suggest that Topps actually produced these? ---
**Author:** ![A.P.Speeze](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/a.p.speeze/32/154261_2.png) [@A.P.Speeze](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/A.P.Speeze)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 3:54am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/19 "2023-09-12T03:54:26Z")
Just because people got these from a vending machine doesn’t mean they aren’t fake. These are likely not official Pokemon products. It’s fine to have them in collections and think they are neat, but they are almost certainly bootlegs. That’s why there is a problem with a company authenticating them. ---
**Author:** ![Dyl](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dyl/32/234623_2.png) [@Dyl](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Dyl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 4:33am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666/20 "2023-09-12T04:33:21Z")
As others have mentioned, these are known to exist but they are not authentic products produced by Topps. They are bootlegs sold in vending machines. 🤷 Edit: There are more than four known variants and there are also mini-stickers too. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/g63QEdhig7g/maxresdefault.jpg "Topps Pokemon Cards Variations 2 & Vending Stickers") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g63QEdhig7g) [Next page](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/fake-topps-stickers-graded-by-beckett/43666.md?page=2)