Because this is probably the most complex cigar band being forged on the market, it's not surprising to see many discrepancies in this fake. The gold bordering is dull, almost tan, and the red background and red "X" is a lighter, more inferior shade than the blood-red color on the authentic band. Specks of gold dust should be evident upon the red background as well, yet there are only a few flecks on this fake. The lettering of "OpusX" is not raised and falls off-line with a white matting that should be black. This holds true for other areas on the counterfeit band -- a blurry white background can be detected beneath the faint gold dots that outline the centerpiece, as well as the two rows of reverse "S's" and straight gold lines near the band's bottom. On all real OpusX bands, the base has a craggy bottom and profuse colors that bleed into one another. On this fake, those melding colors are too indistinct -- the counterfeiters speckled hints of gold upon the colors to create the appearance of a blend.

However, the most prominent sign that distinguishes this band as a counterfeit can't be seen -- the paper is too light, weak and flimsy compared to the stiffer quality of the genuine article.