The material is a thicker "softer" cardboard, something like the grey back to your old school lined tablet. Currently all matches I've seen are made with a thinner material that has a smoother, harder surface. I'm not sure when the change was made, or whether all makers did it at the same time but I haven't seen a new one made of the traditional material in years.

I'm not saying a counterfeiter couldn't get the material any more, just that current match makers don't seem to use it. I suspect the new material is lighter, and probably cheaper to the manufacturer.

Counterfeiting is not a current problem to match collectors that I'm aware of. However, with $100 matches starting to trade, it's always a possibility. Anything made by man can be reproduced!!