Spotting Counterfeit Golurk Cards: Authenticity Tips

In TCG ·

Golurk card art from Ancient Origins XY7-35 by kawayoo

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Authenticity Insight: Spotting Real Golurk XY7-35 from Ancient Origins

For collectors and battlers alike, counterfeit cards drain the joy of discovery. Golurk from Ancient Origins (XY7-35) is a standout piece — a Rare Stage 1 with a distinctive Double Type ability that makes it both Psychic and Fighting in play. The card’s lineage is reinforced by its solid 130 HP, a true hallmark of its sturdy, mid- to late-game role. In practice, this means you’re often looking for a foil that carries the signature art by kawayoo, accurate typography, and the specific holo/normal/reverse variants that define this print run. ⚡🎨

Card snapshot: what makes XY7-35 distinctive

  • Card name and rarity: Golurk — Rare
  • Set and number: Ancient Origins, XY7-35 (35/98 in the official set count; the XY7 symbol and logo appear on the card)
  • HP and type: 130 HP, Psychic type with the Double Type ability that makes it count as Psychic and Fighting while in play
  • Stage and evolution: Stage 1, evolves from Golett
  • Ability: Double Type — “As long as this Pokémon is in play, it is Psychic and Fighting type.” This dual typing broadens its strategic footprint and interacts with both types’ matchups in a single card
  • Attack: Superpower, 4 Colorless energy, base 80 damage; you may do 40 more damage. If you do, this Pokémon does 20 damage to itself. (80+ with a built-in risk-reward mechanic) 🔥
  • Weakness/Resistance: Darkness ×2; Resistance to Fighting by –20
  • Retreat: 4
  • Illustrator: kawayoo
  • Variants: normal, holo, reverse holo; first edition is listed as false for this print

Ancient Origins is known for its mix of mythic storytelling and chunky stage Pokémon, and Golurk fits that theme with a battlefield presence that rewards careful type management. The card’s dual typing can complicate opponent planning, since your foe must account for both Psychic and Fighting interactions when choosing attacks and vulnerabilities. This makes the card a favorite for decks that lean into strategic hit-and-run with a heavy-hitting payoff — but with a price: the self-damage risk on Superpower. 💎🎴

Spotting fakes: practical authenticity checks you can use

  • Set symbol and number: Look for the Ancient Origins symbol and the “XY7” logo near the bottom-right of the card, with “35/98” clearly printed. Genuine cards from this print run should display accurate typography and a crisp, consistent card frame. If the symbol looks off or the numbering is inconsistent, it’s a red flag.
  • Illustrator credit and art alignment: The art is by kawayoo. Compare the facial features, helmet design, and PKMN silhouette against official scans. Subtle misalignment or blurred lines are telltale indicators of counterfeit printing.
  • Attack typography and effects: The Superpower attack should read exactly as documented: “You may do 40 more damage. If you do, this Pokémon does 20 damage to itself.” Look for font weight, spacing, and punctuation that match official cards — fakes often have slightly off kerning or misspelled words.
  • Variants and foil treatment: This card has normal, reverse, and holo variants. Authentic holo prints show a consistent, premium foil pattern that matches other XY-era holos; counterfeit holos frequently display mismatched foil density or pale coloring. If you’re buying holo, verify the foil’s depth and holographic spread across the entire image.
  • Card back, borders, and dimensions: Compare the back pattern and the border color against known-good examples. Deviations in border thickness or color tint are typical of counterfeit runs. Classic counterfeiters sometimes produce slightly oversized or undersized cards, which feels obvious in sleeves and deck stacks.
  • Market cues and rarity markers: Golurk XY7-35 is a Rare with a 130 HP profile and a notably specific ability. If a listing claims a Wildly low price for a holo variant or a mismatched rarity cue, proceed with caution and request additional photos or scans.

When evaluating online listings, cross-reference multiple sources — including official scans and reputable databases like TCGdex. The image at the top of this article is a helpful reference point for what a legitimate XY7-35 holo looks like, including the signature look around the energy cost icons and the holographic glow. For collectors, this is part of the charm of Ancient Origins: the card’s historical aura is as much a part of the value as the numbers on its card text. 🎨⚡

Pricing signals: what the market says about authentic Golurk XY7-35

The provided pricing data helps frame a realistic range for genuine copies in today’s market. On CardMarket, the normal (non-holo) copy shows an average around €0.98 with a low of about €0.14, and holo variants trend higher, with average holo values around €2.45 and recent fluctuations up to around €2.78. On TCGPlayer (USD), normal copies are commonly found in the $0.25–$0.55 range, with market price around $0.55; reverse-holo copies fetch higher values, roughly $0.58–$2.85 in typical listings, and holo versions can command a broader premium (highs near the $6–$9 area in some markets). These numbers illustrate the gap between common, non-foil copies and the more desirable holo/foil variants that collectors chase. Keeping an eye on weekly price trends helps you gauge when a card is moving in value or stabilizing. 🔎💎

Beyond price, authenticity hinges on the print quality and variant availability. The XY7 era has a reputation for meticulous foil and typography, and Golurk’s dual-type ability adds a layer of desirability for collectors who value clever design and in-game utility. If you’re planning to play Golurk in an Expanded-legal deck, you’ll appreciate that the card’s synergy with Double Type can surprise opponents who expect a single-type Psychic or a pure Fighting attacker. In play, you can weigh the risk of the 20-self-damage against the potential to sprawl your opponent’s defenses with a 120-point burst when you opt into the extra 40 damage. ⚡🎮

Collectors who document their acquisitions with high-quality scans and condition notes will have a stronger claim to a fair price, especially for holo and reverse holo copies. The art’s signature, the card’s stage, and the precise alignment of the set symbol are more valuable when they align with official references. If you’re new to the hobby or exploring the Ancient Origins line, Golurk is a perfect test case for balancing aesthetic appeal with in-game utility. 💎🎴

For those curious about the broader context, you can explore related reads and deeper dives in these five articles that accompany this topic:

Neon Aesthetic Mouse Pad (Personalized, Non-Slip Neoprene Desk Decor)

Image credit and article context below—click through to learn more.

More from our network