How to tell if a Pokémon card is first edition?
Figuring out how to tell if a Pokémon card is first edition is very important if you want to avoid any mixup. The truth is that first-generation Pokémon cards are the most valuable ones and extremely rare. However, this is also the reason why you will encounter quite a lot of fakes as well. With that in mind, there are multiple identifying factors if you want to know whether the Pokémon card you have in your hands is the first edition or not.
Learn how to tell if a Pokémon card is first edition or not
There are many identifying factors that you can take into account. You have the 1st Edition stamp which automatically stands out right off the bat. There’s also a lack of shadow on the right side of the frame. The copyright dates are 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999. Additionally, you will also find other base set editions like the Unlimited and Shadowless options. All of these are great and can bring tremendous value.
The first edition stamp
The first edition stamp is found in the bottom left corner of the card’s frame. It’s very close to the Pokémon artwork, in fact, it actually aligns with the banner where you see the length and weight of your Pokémon. This stamp is just a black circle with a 1 found in its center. It has the same color as the background on the card. However, this circle does have EDITION written on the upper side of the circle. In many ways, it looks like a black sun, it has an interesting style, and it’s definitely a standout thing when you learn how to tell if a Pokémon card is first edition or not.
Needless to say, this stamp is only found on the first edition card. So it’s one of the major, telltale signs that you have something valuable on your hands. That being said, it also gets featured on the cards outside of the base set. So even if you do see this, that doesn’t mean your card is from the base set.
No shadow
Another thing you can do in order to see if you have a first edition card is to actually check the Pokémon picture frame. The real thing doesn’t have a shadow on the right side of the card. It’s a very simple thing to do and the shadow does stand out quite a bit. This is why it makes a lot of sense to test this out for yourself and see how it works. That alone can make it incredibly interesting and enjoyable.
Study the release dates
The base set edition cards have very specific dates on them, which will help you figure out how to tell if a Pokémon card is first edition. While some might just see it as a formality, the reality is that you can find fake cards with ease if you give it a shot. Why? Many people that fake these don’t really pay attention to the date, and that alone is a detriment for them.
The first edition Pokémon cards have the following dates: 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999. An interesting thing is that 1999 sometimes gets omitted from some of the latter cards. Understanding the rarity is very important, and that’s certainly a thing that you want to think about.
How to differentiate base set cards from shadowless ones?
Shadowless cards are different when compared to the base set cards, however, they also lack the shadow on the picture frame. So it can get very confusing if you want to know how to tell if a Pokémon card is the first edition if you also have a shadowless card. The nice thing here is that you do have a difference. The first edition stamp is not available on the shadowless cards, because they were released at a later date. Because of that, it becomes a lot easier to identify whether you have a shadowless card or a first edition one.
How can you differentiate the base set cards from the Unlimited run?
Just like the shadowless cards, the Unlimited run is also very similar to the first edition. However, you can see a few differences. Check the bottom right corner of the frame. Normally, the first edition cards will never have anything there, whereas the Unlimited run has different features. The Unlimited run also tends to omit the year 1999 from the run. A lack of the 1999 date means you might have an Unlimited card run.
What about trainer cards?
Trainer cards are very interesting, but it can be difficult to figure out how to tell if a Pokémon card is the first edition or not here. The problem is that these cards don’t have shadowing, so you must figure out other things. The first edition cards will have a stamp too, but it’s at the bottom left corner. Check there, if you don’t have it, then you can check the copyright dates. If the 1999 date is removed, then you may have a shadowless or Unlimited run card.
Why do you need to know how to tell if a Pokémon card is the first edition or not?
The main issue that a lot of people are dealing with is that there are a lot of fakes on the market. Many Pokémon cards ended up selling for thousands of dollars, some even go in the 5 or 6-figure territory. This goes to show that many of the first edition Pokémon cards are extremely valuable. This is why fakers tend to go the long way and truly find ways to trick people into thinking they have a first edition card. Unfortunately, some people get tricked by scammers, so knowing these telltale signs is very important since it can protect you from major losses and challenges.
The best thing you can do is to check various images and guides online, they will make it easier to understand what you should look out for. You also want to take your time and study sites like eBay where you can find all kinds of Pokémon cards, and there you can see if the card is real or not. It will take a little bit of time to educate yourself about this process and you will deal with some trial and error. Still, you need a lot of patience and attention until you figure out how to identify the differences between a fake First Edition card and the real deal.
Conclusion
It’s imperative to ensure that you only buy real first edition Pokémon cards and that you also protect them with the right Pokémon card case. Adequate security and protection offered by a Pokémon binder or case are very important because it helps you eliminate concerns and just focus on making the right investment. Avoid any rush and remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, you might be dealing with a fake. That’s why it always pays off to know how to tell if a Pokémon card is first edition or not, as you can end up saving a significant amount of money just by learning the things to look out for!
