“151” Subtly Features Two Types of Holofoil Energy — One Superior to the Other!
A subtle discovery has been made about the holo Energy of Scarlet & Violet 151!
TPCi has printed the Energy on two different holofoil paper, giving the Energy two different looks. This distinction will be important to collectors. If you buy your packs from multiple sources, it’s possible the Energy in your binder won’t match.
As I initially reported, one paper is what fans often call “galaxy” or “cosmos” holofoil. This classic holofoil was used in English sets from 2000’s Base Set 2 through the final set of the Diamond & Pearl era in 2011. It continued to be used on promo cards until the middle of the Black & White era. It then made a celebrated return to the TCG during the current Scarlet & Violet era, where it’s again being used on promo cards.
The second paper is what I’m retroactively naming “galaxy HD” or “cosmos HD.” This holofoil was introduced to the TCG between 2012 and 2013. Promo cards from the middle of the Black & White era through last year’s Sword & Shield era used this “HD” paper. Most fans probably wouldn’t notice this is a different holofoil at first glance; this is because it tries to imitate the look of the original.
However, there are several noticeable differences between the two holofoils.
The circles and shapes in the original holofoil are made of lower resolution “pixels.” This causes the circles to have jagged, pixely edges. Conversely, the circles on the HD holofoil are solid with smooth edges (hence me calling it “HD”).
The galaxy swirls on the original holofoil are made of pixels that are broken apart. The swirls for the “HD” paper are similar, but form a solid line at certain angles. The original also uses more swirls throughout the holofoil, whereas you’re lucky to see even one on the swirls on the HD paper.
The original features several other unique shapes throughout the holofoil, whereas the HD paper only uses circles and galaxies. I’ve circled the shapes in red below. This is also why the HD version has a higher volume of giant circles throughout the holofoil, as it doesn’t have other shapes to show off like the original.
Collectors seem to universally agree the original holofoil is more beautiful. This is probably because each shape in the holofoil is made of obvious “pixels” that can each reflect a different color. This causes the circles, swirls, and other shapes to shimmer more brilliantly. The overall holofoil glitters more in the light.
The HD version’s shapes are more solid, which means there isn’t as much sparkling within each shape. The circles and swirls only shimmer as a “whole.” This causes the overall holofoil to look flatter when compared to the original.
Thus you can get two holofoil variants for the Energy in 151:
Individual 151 products seem to have the same holofoil pattern inside (as in, an individual ETB will always have the same style of Energy inside). However, if you buy a different ETB from elsewhere, you could get the other set of Energy inside.
A quick glance at eBay seems to indicate the HD variant is rarer than the classic galaxy foil version. This could indicate the HD holofoil might have been leftover stock from the last generation that TPCi offloaded into this set.
Are you going to try to collect both variants? Let us know in the comments!
You can read our guide for Scarlet & Violet 151 here.