TOPIC: Alert! Fake Tokens...

Just putting this out there. I have never knowingly sold counterfeit tokens. I recently sold or traded 3 HoPs. They all looked different. I assumed they were variations in printing. If 1 of those is fraudulent, which I doubt, I will not hesitate to give a chain of custody, and find a way to make it right.

Fortunately all of my segs 1-4 were converted to rods at WYC (without issues). I do have numerous segment 5s, 6s, and 7s. The 5s and 6s came from a variety of sources, but the 7s came exclusively from True Adventures. I don't know what I'm looking for, however I closely compared each group of them and found no visible differences, so I'm hoping that means they are all legit...

All of my tokens have a certificate of authenticity from the guy who makes fake tokens

MasterED wrote: I had some "experience" in this area where I bought a token I thought was fake and as it turned out it was just a bad printing.

But during this exercise I can tell you I now own a nice microscope with a camera attachment. If I see any token that looks suspicious I can examine and send a shot for confirmation. I also have shots of reference tokens to compare them to.

Maybe I should start an authentication service

Or you will use this "experience" for EVIL for it is you who are the counterfeiter!

You can never trust a monk (and that goes to Wynne too!).

Incognito wrote: Or you will use this "experience" for EVIL for it is you who are the counterfeiter!

Busted!!!

This is definitely a disturbing thread. As a new Token collector/recent player, it would be nice to know if there is anything specific to look for when receiving in new Tokens. Someone in this thread mentioned a clear plastic coating. I've handled many chippy Tokens from various years and this doesn't seem to always be the case. The 2007/2008 Tokens seem to have been printed on a noticeably different type of paper and/or contain a textured overlay. I really like the feel of the Tokens from those years, but the Tokens from more recent years seem to be printed on more of a standard paper. The resolution of the print looks higher, but the paper face seems pretty smooth. As the game continues to grow there needs to be some additional thought put in on how to protect the authenticity of the Tokens as I'm sure they are a primary revenue driver for Jeff.

A few ideas: Different color backs for the UR's and Relic's? Some sort of holographic/black light print overlay? Or maybe more of a next gen Token type: One that incorporates some sort of serial specific RFID tag (thinking of all the Skylander figures my son has). Probably cost prohibitive but would open up a ton of new possibilities as to how the game is played: Slider boards that could automatically recognize, calculate and track hits, damage, etc. Token scanners that could automatically import party builds into a database and track everything as players move through the rooms. Tokens could then be tied to certain players until traded, etc. Just some thoughts...

Sadly forgeries show up at Gencon on a regular basis


I personally have seen and reports people selling fake badges in the streets outside the convention center.

As a thought exercise based on this thread I worked out how to make high end fakes of any non green or non orange token base for very little. I will email Jeff about this directly and no I won't share the process.


Please note
I am primarily a purchaser of tokens and every token I have sold or traded is 100% authentic. I will happily have any token I use be checked by any gm or TD staff at any time.

Brad wrote: Please note
I am primarily a purchaser of tokens and every token I have sold or traded is 100% authentic. I will happily have any token I use be checked by any gm or TD staff at any time.

But the guy who got ripped off says that one of the counterfeit tokens was received directly from TD.

Unfortunately, it is quite possible that many (even most) of us may have had a counterfeit token in our possession at some point but just did not know it.

Incognito wrote:

Brad wrote: Please note
I am primarily a purchaser of tokens and every token I have sold or traded is 100% authentic. I will happily have any token I use be checked by any gm or TD staff at any time.

But the guy who got ripped off says that one of the counterfeit tokens was received directly from TD.

Unfortunately, it is quite possible that many (even most) of us may have had a counterfeit token in our possession at some point but just did not know it.

sad but true.

I'll state here that, if any token I ever sell or trade turns out to be counterfeited I'll replace it. That's to make sure I check every trade I do as well when I buy.

I sacrificed a token to show just how thick the protective plastic is on a token.



I found this out by accident when a token had sat in my car under the seat for over a year. All three parts of the token had de-laminated.

Then again that token lost in my car for a year was from only a few years ago. Only older ones I have left are in my build and I am not willing to sacrifice any of them!

Which is why I honestly don't believe anyone when they say they can't immediately tell the difference. You'd either have to have no experience with tokens or be a complete moron. Even a cursory look should be enough.

cdsmith wrote: I found this out by accident when a token had sat in my car under the seat for over a year. All three parts of the token had de-laminated.

Then again that token lost in my car for a year was from only a few years ago. Only older ones I have left are in my build and I am not willing to sacrifice any of them!

The 2009 tokens had quality issues and were particularly good test subjects for experimentation!