What Makes a Pokémon Card Special? First Editions, Shadowless, and Misprints

In the world of Pokémon collecting, a few types of cards stand out: misprints, shadowless cards, and first editions.

Misprints turn printing errors into collector’s treasures. Shadowless cards, on the other hand, offer a glimpse into the earliest print runs, lacking the shadowed border of later editions. First editions, with their iconic stamp, represent the origins of each set and are cherished by collectors worldwide.

Let’s explore what makes these cards so special.

1. Misprints

Misprints are cards with unintentional errors made during the printing process.

In the early days of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, occasional printing mistakes led to some fascinating variations. Collectors now appreciate these as unique pieces of Pokémon history.

Here are 2 of the misprints from the Pokemon Base set:

• Ninetales Holographic No Damage Error (Base Set): One of the most famous misprints, this card was printed without its '80 damage' value. This error made the Ninetales holographic card a rare collectible, and today it can sell for thousands of dollars in mint condition.

• Red Cheeks Pikachu (Base Set): Originally, Pikachu in the Base Set was printed with red cheeks, but this was later corrected to yellow cheeks. This 'Red Cheeks' version became a cool variant of the most popular Pokemon from the series.

2. Shadowless

Another rare card type is called shadowless.

These cards are unique because they lack the shadow on the right side of the image border, which was added in later print runs to give the card artwork a 3D effect. Shadowless cards come from some of the first print runs of the Base Set and are loved by collectors.

Here's a popular card:

• Shadowless Charizard (Base Set): The shadowless version of Charizard is one of the most valuable cards in the Pokémon TCG. In mint condition, a shadowless Charizard sells for tens of thousands of dollars, depending on its grading and condition.

Shadowless cards offer collectors a piece of Pokémon history, capturing a transitional moment in the TCG’s early development. Their distinct look and scarcity make them highly desirable, especially among serious collectors.

3. First Edition Cards

The most popular (and expensive) in Pokémon collecting are first edition cards.

Marked with a '1st edition' stamp, these cards were part of the very first print run. They represent the beginning of Pokémon card collecting and are often seen as the 'holy grail' of the TCG.

• First Edition Charizard (Base Set): A true legend in the Pokémon world, a 1st edition Charizard in pristine condition can sell for over $300,000 today. Its legendary status and scarcity makes it one of the most valuable cards in existence.
• First Edition Blastoise and Venusaur (Base Set): Other starter Pokémon from the first edition Base Set like Blastoise and Venusaur are also extremely valuable, especially in high grades. These cards can sell for thousands of dollars, reflecting their enduring appeal.