When Pokemon Trading Cards were first released, the first print run for many of the sets would have been labeled as ‘First Edition’. Any cards that came after this would have been known as unlimited print cards. Since the First Edition cards were rarer, they would often have a lot more value. This is something that changed when Wizards of the Coast stopped being in control of the production process.
So, do Pokemon cards still have 1st Edition? The answer is no. They no longer have First Edition cards produced. At least in the English version of the game. Any cards that are produced, no matter when they are produced, are part of the unlimited print run.
There are a few things that we want to discuss a little bit here. This is because the whole ‘First Edition’ thing related to Pokemon cards isn’t as simple as you may think.
How Can You Tell If Pokemon Cards Are First Edition?
In order to tell whether a Pokemon card is First Edition, you would have to look to the right of the main image on the card. There will be a logo here that says ‘1st Edition’ if the card is actually a first edition card. If you do not see that logo, then the card is going to be part of the unlimited print run.
Remember, nowadays, even if a card comes from the first print run, it is not going to be labeled as the first edition. This means that it is actually going to be impossible to tell whether a card is first edition. This is because it will look like every other card that has been produced for that set.
How Much Is a First Edition Pokemon Card Worth?
This is actually tough to say because it is going to be dependent on several different factors. This includes:
- The condition of the card
- The set the card came from
- The rarity of the card
- Whether it is an English or Japanese card.
As you can probably guess, the condition of the card and the rarity of the card will be the main influencer here. A first edition Charizard graded PS8 would be worth than a 1st Edition Metapod with the same grade. However, we do want to focus on the two other factors. At this point, we do want to point out that a 1st Edition Machamp from the base set is not worth anything beyond being a Machamp card. All of the Machamp cards from these era would have been 1st Editions.
Firstly, the set. The way in which 1st Edition Card works for the English set is weird. The early sets of the game had distinct First Editions. This meant that there were incredibly rare. So Base Set, Base Set 2, Jungle, Fossil, etc. However, as we started to get into the Neo era, the way in which First Editions were distributed changed.
In some cases, the First Edition wasn’t actually the first edition and was distributed after the unlimited run. This meant that the cards from these sets hold less value. It was after this that Pokemon stopped producing First Edition cards.
The Japanese set is different still. They actually do still produce First Edition cards there. However, Japanese cards tend not to be valued all that highly. This is because there were more 1st Edition cards printed than the unlimited set.
Therefore, first edition cards are not all that rare. We won’t dive too much into the value of the Japanese cards here, mostly because they tend to be a lot less valuable than the English cards.
Overall, this means that a First Edition card can be worth anything from a few cents to well over $1,000,000.
What Makes a Pokemon Card First Edition?
While it did change later on in the 1st Edition run for English Pokemon cards, a first edition card would have been any card that was printed during the initial print run of the cards. There would be a cap to the number of first edition cards that could be produced.
Once the initial print run of the cards was over, the cards would switch to ‘unlimited’ and the first edition logo would be removed from the card. This would allow the Pokemon Trading Card Game to print as many of those cards that it wanted.
The one exception to this rule was 1st Edition Holo Machamp from the base set where an unlimited number were printed. You are only able to find this card in the starter decks i.e. the ones that were designed to teach you how to play the game.
To check the current price and availability of Pokemon Booster Boxes, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
How Much Is a 1st Edition Pikachu Card Worth?
This is going to be dependent on the set that the Pikachu comes from, as well as the condition of the card.
We are going to assume that when people ask this question, they are talking about the Pikachu card that comes from the base set. This was a common card, but it was not especially a rare card. You could find several of them inside of a booster box. However, this doesn’t mean that the card doesn’t hold value.
When the Pokemon Trading Card game was launched, it become quickly apparent that Pikachu was one of the most popular characters in the franchise. You can thank the TV show for that. As a result, a lot of these Pikachu cards ended up being played with.
This meant that they either became damaged or they were lost to time. The result is that a card that was fairly common started to become uncommon. After all, nobody would have been able to predict the value that these cards would have many decades down the line.
The value of 1st Edition Pikachu card nowadays will be dependent on the condition of the card. A PSA 10 could go for $1,500, but the price falls sharply after this. A PSA 7 would command about $150. Go too low with the grading, and the price may end up being in the $10s.
Why Is 1st Edition Charizard So Expensive?
You maý have heard of these crazy stories of First Edition Charizard cards being sold for tons of money. Some have sold in excess of $1,000,000. Have you ever wondered why this is? Well, let us explain!
First, Charizard is a popular character. People love him. He was featured in a prominent role in the original Pokemon series. He was also one of the most powerful Pokemon in the show. Granted, his card isn’t especially powerful, but people weren’t playing with Pokemon cards back then.
He is also incredibly rare. Easily one of the rarest Pokemon cards in the original base set.
What really causes his value to be so high, however, is the fact that 1st Edition Charizards were not printed that extensively. When the First Edition Pokemon Trading Card game base set came out, the game wasn’t all that popular. In fact, many people were not paying attention to it.
It wasn’t until the unlimited run that people started to snap up Pokemon cards like crazy. This means that very few 1st Edition Charizards were ever produced.
Couple this all with the fact that many of these 1st Edition cards have been lost to time, and it isn’t difficult to see why the cost of them ends up being so high. There just isn’t enough of them around.
Are All 1st Edition Pokemon Cards Valuable?
No. Firstly, most Japanese cards that have 1st Edition printed on them are not going to be valuable.
Any English cards printed during the Neo block are unlikely to be valuable too. This is due to the odd way in which Wizards of the Coast handled their card printing.
The most valuable 1st Edition Pokemon cards are going to come from the first few sets; Base, Base 2, Jungle, and Fossil. However, not all cards labeled as First Edition here will have a huge price on them.
They are worth more than their non-First Edition counterparts, but not so much. For example, a First Edition basic energy will be worth a couple of dollars compared to a couple of cents for a standard basic energy.
The best way to check whether your first edition Pokemon cards hold value is to check out resellers. This should give you a rough idea as to how much you can expect to receive if you sold your cards. You may find that they are not as valuable as you may think, particularly your common and uncommon cards.
Final Thoughts
Pokemon cards no longer have first editions, at least in the English sets. These stopped being produced when Wizards of the Coast stopped selling the game.
The most valuable 1st Edition card remains a Charizard 1st Edition from the base set. This is because these are exceedingly rare. While many 1st Edition cards will be worth some money, the price may not be as high as you would think.
The best way to check the value of your 1st Edition cards is to look at what resellers are selling them for.
FAQs
Do Pokemon Cards Still Have 1st Edition? | IndoorGameBunker? ›
The Original Pokémon Trading Card Series Is Returning As A "Premium" Set. If you've ever had dreams of owning the original Charizard card from the first Pokémon TCG series, you'll be pleased to hear The Pokémon Company is reviving this classic set.
How to find 1st edition Pokémon cards? ›Look for a first edition stamp on the left side of a Pokémon card. Find the stamp on the top right corner of Energy cards and the bottom left of Trainer cards.
When did 1st edition Pokémon cards stop? ›However, English Pokémon cards only had 1st edition prints from 1999-2003. Anything from 2003 to the present will not have a 1st edition stamp. Also, promotional cards did not receive 1st edition stamps.
How many 1st edition Pokémon cards are there? ›The Media Factory set released October 20th, 1996 and featured the original 102 Pokémon cards that were later released in the iconic Wizards of the Coast English base set in 1998 and 1999. Making it the 3rd ever confirmed release of Pokémon cards. Of the 102 cards, sixteen were holographic cards.
Are 1st edition Pokémon cards worth anything? ›On top of common and rare cards in the base set, there are variations such as Shadowless and First Edition Pokémon cards needed to complete an entire run. Those First Edition cards are especially some of the rarest and some are even considered to be among the most expensive Pokémon cards in general.
Are all 1999 Pokémon cards 1st edition? ›When the Pokémon trading card game was introduced in the US in 1999, the first print run of the first set, which is known as the Base Set, included a “First Edition” symbol on every card. On cards featuring Pokémon, the symbol is found on the left side of the card midway between the card's top and bottom.
Are 1999 Pokémon cards worth anything? ›Average Pokemon cards might only earn you around $10 a piece, while an authenticated card in mint condition, such as the Raichu shadowless holographic cards released in 1999, is worth up to $4000.
Do 1995 Pokémon cards exist? ›Pokemon Topsun 1995 — First Edition Charizard
The blue back of this card indicates that this Topsun Charizard is from the first edition printing in 1995. This precious card is the original, first ever Charizard to be printed in existence, and it is worth up to $10,000 due to its rarity.
No Rarity Pokémon cards are among the rarest Pokémon cards in existence, and few come rarer than the Venusaur Pokémon card from the game's first print run in 1996.
How many 1999 Pokémon cards are there? ›How many cards are there in the original Base Set? Pokemon Base Set consists of 102 cards.
Why did Pokémon stop 1st edition? ›
1st Edition runs were produced for every set (except Base Set 2) up to and including Neo Destiny. A factor that likely led to Wizards scrapping the idea of 1st Edition cards was down to the pressure they faced to release sets on dates they had specified, which became particularly apparent during the Neo-era.
How many 1999 Charizards were made? ›The 1999 1st Edition Holographic Charizard card is recognized as the “holy grail” of the entire Pokémon trading card game, and seen as one of the most iconic non-sports cards. The first edition set was released in limited quantity with 102 cards total, 16 of them being the rarer, coveted holographic cards.
What is the oldest Pokemon card worth? ›Called No Rarity, the scarce artifacts are truly the first Pokemon cards to ever be made. A Venusaur from this original batch went up for sale at PWCC Auctions on November 18th, 2021, and sold for a jaw-dropping $55,000 – a record for the beloved Kanto starter Pokemon.
Is base set 1st edition? ›Base Set: Pokémon Base Set was the first set of Pokémon TCG cards released in the United States. The Limited Edition print run of Base Set actually had two different printings, the second of which did not have the “Edition 1” logo.
What is the most expensive Pokemon card in the world 2023? ›As of February 2023, an Illustrator CoroCoro Comics Promo (Pikachu illustrator card) was the most expensive Pokémon trading card in the world, having been sold at auction for six million U.S. dollars.
Should I get my first edition Pokémon cards graded? ›This is important for both buyers and sellers. We recommend getting your Pokémon card graded if: It is very old – grading it authenticates it and also protects it from further damage. It is in perfect condition – getting it graded will preserve that condition and also raise the value.
How many Charizards exist? ›Charizard has been featured on 47 different cards since it debuted in the Base Set of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Charizard cards are normally Fire-type Stage 2 Pokémon.
What does R mean on Pokémon cards? ›So there's one answer to the question of “how do you know if you have a rare Pokémon card?” If it has a star or an R in the lower right corner, it's “rare,” officially speaking.
Why are 1999 Pokémon cards so expensive? ›First of all, the 1999 Holographic Charizard is from the original Base Set of Pokémon, the first series of cards to ever be produced, so the vintage aspect is already a major factor in the price for collectors.
What was the rarest Pokemon card in 1999? ›(1) 1999 Pokémon Game #4 Charizard Holo, 1st Edition — $399,750. We've already written about how Charizard's majesty shines over the Pokémon hobby, so unsurprisingly, the dragon also has one of the most expensive and rarest card on this list.
What is the rarest Charizard card in the world? ›
- 8 Shining Charizard 1st Edition (107/105)
- 7 Charizard Prerelease Staff (11/108)
- 6 Charizard (146/144)
- 5 Charizard National Championship (100/97)
- 4 Charizard (006)
- 3 Charizard (89/88)
- 2 Shining Charizard (006)
- 1 Charizard 1st Edition (4/102)
1999 Pokemon Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Holo Charizard
Featuring iconic art from Mitsuhiro Arita, this is the most widely coveted Pokemon card ever made. But just having the card isn't enough. Over 3,000 of these have been passed along to graders, but only 121 of them have been granted PSA 10 Gem Mint designation.
Only cards that are part of the Modified format may be used in official events. When older cards can no longer be used in official events, it is because they have been rotated out of the Modified format. Pokémon Organized Play has created the Modified format for several reasons. The primary reason is accessibility.
How rare is a Pikachu card? ›They say there were only ever somewhere between 20 and 40 Pikachu Illustrator cards ever printed.
Is the Charmander Pokémon card rare? ›This is of Common rarity.
Who owns the most expensive Pokemon card? ›Paul purchased the PSA 10 card in exchange for a Mint 9 copy of Pikachu Illustrator - claimed to be worth $1.275m - plus an additional $4 million, making the total sale reportedly worth $5.275m. Paul was later given a Guiness World Record for the most expensive Pokemon trading card sold at a private sale.
Are gold Pokémon cards real or fake? ›A real card will have clean, crisp printing on the font. Fakes will have lower quality print, which is most visible when looking at the tiny text. Also compare the colours on the cards. Make sure that the color saturation is the same.
What Pokémon sets are still being printed? ›- Scarlet & Violet Series June 09, 2023. Scarlet & Violet—Paldea Evolved.
- Scarlet & Violet Series March 31, 2023. Scarlet & Violet.
- Sword & Shield Series January 20, 2023. Crown Zenith.
- Sword & Shield Series November 11, 2022. ...
- Sword & Shield Series September 09, 2022. ...
- Sword & Shield Series July 01, 2022.
Again, you have to look for the Legendary medal on the right side, as without that, it's a different card. This is from the earliest Japanese set in existence, and it is different than the 1999 design which will be worth less, which did not have horizontally arranged energy requirements.
How many Pokémon sets exist? ›This is a list of Pokémon Trading Card Game sets from the collectible card game that was first released in Japan in 1996. As of April 2022, there are 98 card sets released in English and 91 card sets in Japan, including special sets.
Will Pokémon cards lose value? ›
Pokémon cards only hold their value if they remain in 100% pristine condition. If a PSA 10 Charizard drops to PSA 9 while it's in your possession, it loses 80% of its value.
Are modern Pokémon cards worth collecting? ›Are Newer Pokemon Cards Worth Collecting? Hyper rare cards in the newer sets, drive the value. This in turn keeps collectors wanting them. If you're collecting cards for financial gain, then only the rarest Pokemon cards will help you achieve that.
What to do with worthless Pokémon cards? ›Make a Donation
If you are a Pokémon card collector, enthusiast, or retailer, and you have a collection of unused unlimited Pokémon cards, you can simply donate them to us and we will sleeve them, repack them, and donate them to one of the many organizations that we partner with.
1999 1st Edition English Base Charizard $11,233 - $399,750.
How much is a old Charizard worth? ›| Sale Date | Title | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-26 | 1999 1st edition charizard [eBay] | $920.48 |
| 2023-03-25 | Pokémon TCG Charizard Base Set 4/102 Holo 1st Edition Holo Rare 4/102 [eBay] | $1,175.00 |
| 2023-03-22 | Pokémon TCG Charizard Base Set 4/102 Holo 1st Edition Holo Rare 4/102 [eBay] | $965.55 |
The German Base Set 1st Edition Charizard's total PSA population is less than half that of its English counterpart, and only 53 examples exist in PSA 10 compared to 123 for the English 1st Edition Charizard. Therefore, PSA 10 examples of Glurak are actually rarer than 1st Edition Charizards in the same grade.
Which is the rarest Pokemon? ›1. Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie. While our number one spot for the rarest 'mon is technically three Pokemon, that's also part of what makes them so rare.
What is the most expensive card in the world? ›The famous Honus Wagner Card (which, depending on who you ask, is more well-known than the actual player) last sold in August of 2022 for a total of $7.2 million at auction. But of every other valuable card on the list, nothing comes close to the Mickey Mantle Rookie Card that shattered auction records last year.
How old do Pokemon cards have to be to be worth money? ›However, if you have any cards from 1999-2003 that happen to be first editions, it might be worth checking their value. Most of the rarest and most desired card comes from this era. Though most cards probably won't get you more than $15-$100.
How do I sell my Pokémon cards? ›- eBay.
- Troll and Toad.
- Cardmarket.
- Card Cavern.
- TCGplayer.
- CGC Castle.
- Facebook Marketplace.
Do 1st Edition Pokémon cards have a shadow? ›
Shadow Games
— Shadowless. Besides the omission of the stamp, for all intents and purposes, Shadowless cards are mirror images of 1st Edition cards. In short, Shadowless cards are simply the first run after the inaugural release. “But then why are they called Shadowless?” you ask.
Are All 1st Edition Cards Shadowless? If we swap the question round, then yes, all 1st Edition cards are shadowless! If you own, or can get your hands on these, you hold some of the most valuable cards in the game. Quick caveat – the only exception to the rule is the 1st Edition Base Set Machamp.
What Pokemon card is worth 500000? ›The Pikachu Illustrator card from 1998 is back on the market. The highly sought-after Pikachu collectible is now up for auction on eBay, and the starting bid is a whopping US$500,000 (RM2. 24 million).
Are Pokémon cards from the 90s worth anything? ›The American base set (which debuted in 1999) is highly collectible because of how iconic and lasting the Pokemon are from that original generation. So, any well-preserved card from the American base set is going to sell for a lot of money. Take this 1999 Shadowless Chansey that sold in 2020 for $36,877, for example.
What is the rarest Pokemon card to pull 2023? ›We've put together the best ones to consider investing in 2023. From Ash's Pikachu to First Edition Charizard, these are the rarest and most sought-after Pokémon cards of all time.
How to get your Pokémon cards graded for free? ›You cannot get official grading done for free because someone has to be compensated for their time and you will have to pay for shipping for your cards to get to and from the grader.
How much does it cost to get your Pokémon cards graded? ›Grading services typically cost $25–50 USD per card to place an order, but they may vary on the card's value. Give the grading service around 2–3 weeks to grade your Pokémon cards and send them back.
How long does it take to grade 1 Pokémon card? ›Approximately 3 months. Q9. I see others advertise that my cards can come back quicker.
How do you find the rarest Pokémon card? ›The symbols on the card are Pokemon card rarity symbols. A circle means a card is common, a diamond is the marker for uncommon cards, and a star is used to mark rare cards. There are also a variety of unique symbols used to mark cards that are considered ultra rare.
Is there an app to scan Pokémon cards? ›The TCGplayer is an easy-to-use app and one of the best for checking the prices of Pokemon cards. This app has over a million downloads in Google Play Store alone. The app comes with a scanner feature to scan your Pokemon cards. You can scan multiple cards at a time.
Where do you send Pokémon cards to get graded? ›
Send your cards to Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA), Beckett Collectibles, or CGC Cards for the most credible grading services. Grading services typically cost $25–50 USD per card to place an order, but they may vary on the card's value.
What is the #1 rarest Pokemon card? ›1. 1998 Pikachu Illustrator Card. What is this? There's no better place to start than what many consider to be the rarest Pokemon card in existence, the Pikachu Illustrator card.
What is the 2 rarest Pokemon card? ›The Gold Star Pokémon cards are one of the most valuable Pokémon sets ever produced, with Espeon and Umbreon two of the rarest cards in the set.
How many 1st edition Charizards were printed? ›The first edition set was released in limited quantity with 102 cards total, 16 of them being the rarer, coveted holographic cards. The holographic Charizard card became the most popular for a variety of cultural reasons at the time. We wanted to break down how we thought about the card as an investment.
What is the oldest Pokemon card set? ›The 1998 Pokémon Demo Game Pack were the earliest cards to be released in the English Pokémon TCG and served as the introduction to Pokémon cards in the United States. This Pokémon pack consists of 24 Base Set shadowless cards and an instruction manual.
What website tells you how much Pokémon cards are worth? ›TCGplayer Pokémon Market Price
TCGplayer gives you a wide range of search options, including ways to list cards based on their popularity, their current market value, or just alphabetically. More importantly, however, you can search card-by-card and get a peek at some key metrics.
The easiest way to get an estimate of the value of Pokemon cards is to see how much they are currently going for on the Pokemon TCG marketplace. Reliable websites include TCGPlayer.com and TrollandToad.com, which are also where collectors can put their cards up for sale should they choose to part ways with them.
Is it worth it to get Pokémon cards graded? ›This is important for both buyers and sellers. We recommend getting your Pokémon card graded if: It is very old – grading it authenticates it and also protects it from further damage. It is in perfect condition – getting it graded will preserve that condition and also raise the value.
What is the cheapest way to get cards graded? ›Of the major grading companies, BGS currently offers the cheapest card grading service, which is $18 to grade a single card at the “Base” level. This is $2 less than CSG's “Economy” level, $5 less than PSA's “Value” service, and $4 less than SGC.
How much does it cost to send cards to get graded? ›| Grading Level | Cost | Collector Club Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | $75 | No |
| Express | $150 | No |
| Super Express | $300 | No |
| Walk Through | $600 | No |