Shakespeare said:Traders and collectors might find this guide useful. Here are images of 4 base set cards. All are different. Collectors refer to these cards as 1st edition, shadowless, unlimited, and 4th printing. Here is how you can tell them apart:
This is a 1st edition Base Set card:
This is kind of a no brainer. Look for the 1st edition symbol.
All 1st edition Base Set cards are shadowless. See the right side of the caricature on the card? No shadow.
This is a Shadowless Base Set card:
This card is exactly the same as the 1st edition card minus the 1st edition symbol. Note there is still no shadow to the right of the image.
This is a 3rd printing (Unlimited) Base Set card:
This is the first printing of "Shadowed" cards, see the right of the image.
Note the fine print at the bottom. "1995, 96, 98 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK, 1999 Wizards."
This is a 4th printing Base Set card:
Still a "Shadowed" card.
Note the fine print at the bottom. "1995, 96, 98 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK, 1999-2000 Wizards."
Hope this little guide helps clears up any confusion.
| Base | Blastoise | Charizard | Venusaur | |
| Jungle | Flareon | Scyther | Wigglytuff | |
| Fossil | Aerodactyl | Lapras | Zapdos | |
| Base 2 | Gyarados | Mewtwo | Pidgeot | Raichu |
| Team Rocket | Giovanni | Gyarados | Jessie and James | all 3 pictures |
| Gym Heroes | Brock | Erika | Lt. Surge | Misty |
| Gym Challenge | Blaine | Giovanni | Koga | Sabrina |
| Neo Genesis | Feraligatr | Lugia | Meganium | Typhlosion |
| Neo Discovery | Scizor | Smeargle | Umbreon | Xatu |
| Neo Revelation | Entei | Misdreavus | Raikou | Suicune |
| Neo Destiny | Celebi | Noctowl | Togetic | Tyranitar |
| Legendary | Mewtwo, Alakazam and Machamp | Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno | Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon | Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise |
| Expedition | Blastoise | Charizard | Feraligatr | Venusaur |
| Aquapolis | Arcanine | Entei | Scizor | Tyranitar |
| Skyridge | Ho-Oh | Kabutops | Poliwrath | Vaporeon |
| EX Ruby & Sapphire | Lairon | Manectric | Mightyena | Sceptile |
| EX Sandstorm | Dusclops | Seviper | Shiftry | Zangoose |
| EX Dragon | Absol | Latias | Latios | Rayquaza |
| EX Magma vs Aqua | Aggron | Houndoom | Sharpedo | Walrein |
| EX Hidden Legends | Metagross | Regice | Regirock | Registeel |
| EX FireRed & LeafGreen | Blastoise | Charizard | Pikachu | Venusaur |
| EX Team Rocket Returns | Gyarados | Mewtwo | Scyther | Tyranitar |
| EX Deoxys | Attack Forme Deoxys | Defense Forme Deoxys | Speed Forme Deoxys | Rayquaza |
| EX Emerald | Deoxys | Groudon | Kyogre | Rayquaza |
| EX Unseen Forces | Raikou | Steelix | Typhlosion | Umbreon |
| EX Delta Species | Dragonite | Flareon | Metagross | Salamence |
| EX Legend Maker | Aerodactyl | Arcanine | Banette | Mew |
| EX Holon Phantoms | Gyarados | Kabutops | Mewtwo | Zangoose |
| EX Crystal Guardians | Blaziken | Charizard | Delcatty | Jirachi |
| EX Dragon Frontiers | Latios and Latias | Nidoking | Salamence | Tyranitar |
| EX Power Keepers | Absol | Aggron | Raichu | Walrein |
| Diamond & Pearl | Dialga | Electrive | Lucario | Palkia |
| Mysterious Treasures | Magmortar | Garchomp | Toxicroak | Uxie Mesprit Azelf |
| Secret Wonders | Gallade | Honchkrow | Roserade | Weavile |
| Great Encounters | Cresselia | Darkrai | Dialga | Palkia |
| Majestic Dawn | Darkrai | Empoleon | Garchomp | Hippowdon |
| Legends Awakened | Giratina | Lucario | Luxray | Rhyperior |
| Stormfront | Dusknoir | Infernape | Regigigas | Torterra |
| Platinum | Dialga | Giratina | Palkia | Shaymin |
| Rising Rivals | Houndoom | Leafeon | Rotom | Scizor |
| Supreme Victors | Absol | Charizard | Garchomp | Rayquaza |
| Arceus | Arceus w/Meadow Plate | Arceus w/Splash Plate | Salamence | Zapdos |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | Ampharos | Donphan | Ho-oh | Lugia |
| HS – Unleashed | Crobat | Entei | Raikou | Suicune |
| HS – Undaunted | Houndoom | Jolteon | Rayquaza | Skarmory |
| HS - Triumphant | Dialga | Electivire | Magmortar | Palkia |
| Call of Legends | Deoxys | Groudon | Kyogre | Lugia |
| Black & White | Reshiram | Zekrom | Zebstrika | Zoroark |
| BW - Emerging Powers | Braviary | Cobalion | Darmanitan | Tornadus |
| BW - Noble Victories | Druddigon | Hydreigon | Kyurem | Victini |
| BW - Next Destinies | Mewtwo | Regigigas | Reshiram | Zekrom |
| BW - Dark Explorers | Darkrai | Excadrill | Scrafty | Venusaur |
| BW - Dragons Exalted | Gyarados | Giratina | Rayquaza | Terrakion |
| Dragon Vault | Dragonite | Haxorus | Rayquaza | Salamence |
| BW - Boundaries Crossed | Keldeo | Black Kyurem | White Kyurem | Landorus |
| BW - Plasma Storm | Articuno | Infernape | Liepard | Lugia |
| BW - Plasma Freeze | Absol | Bisharp | Deoxys | Thundurus |
| BW - Plasma Blast | Dialga | Genesect | Palkia | Porygon-Z |
| BW - Legendary Treasures | Genesect | Mewtwo | Reshiram | Zekrom |
| XY | Mega Blastoise | Mega Venusaur | Xerneas | Yveltal |
| XY – Flashfire | Mega Charizard X | Mega Charizard Y | Mega Kangaskhan | Pyroar |
| XY - Furious Fists | Hawlucha | Mega Heracross | Mega Lucario | Tyrantrum |
| 1 | Pikachu | 1st Edition Error |
| 2 | Electabuzz | |
| 3 | Mewtwo | |
| 4 | Pikachu | |
| 5 | Dragonite | |
| 6 | Arcanine | |
| 7 | Jigglypuff | |
| 8 | Mew | |
| 9 | Mew, Holo | |
| 10 | Meowth | |
| 11 | Eevee | |
| 12 | Mewtwo | |
| 13 | Venusaur | |
| 14 | Mewtwo | |
| 15 | Cool Porygon | |
| 16 | Computer Error | |
| 17 | Dark Persian | Dark Persian Error Version |
| 18 | Team Rocket's Meowth | |
| 19 | Sabrina's Abra | |
| 20 | Psyduck | |
| 21 | Moltres | Moltres correct version Scan provided by dolphinluv2010 |
| 22 | Articuno | Articuno correct version Scan provided by dolphinluv2010 |
| 23 | Zapdos | Zapdos correct version Scan provided by dolphinluv2010 |
| 24 | Birthday Pikachu | |
| 25 | Flying Pikachu | |
| 26 | Pikachu, Snap | |
| 27 | Pikachu | |
| 28 | Surfing Pikachu | |
| 29 | Marill | |
| 30 | Togepi | |
| 31 | Cleffa | |
| 32 | Smeargle | |
| 33 | Scizor | |
| 34 | Entei, Reverse | |
| 35 | Pichu, Reverse | |
| 36 | Igglybuff | |
| 37 | Hitmontop | |
| 38 | Unown J | |
| 39 | Misdreavus | |
| 40 | Pokemon Center | |
| 41 | Lucky Stadium | |
| 42 | Pokemon Tower | |
| 43 | Machamp | |
| 44 | Magmar | |
| 45 | Scyther | |
| 46 | Electabuzz | |
| 47 | Mew | |
| 48 | Articuno | |
| 49 | Snorlax | |
| 50 | Celebi | |
| 51 | Rapidash | Pokémon Center Stamped Version |
| 52 | Ho-oh | Pokémon Center Stamped Version |
| 53 | Suicune |
ikachu World Collection::.
| 001 | Kyogre ex, Holo | Non Holo |
| 002 | Groudon ex, Holo | Non Holo |
| 003 | Treecko, Reverse | |
| 004 | Grovyle, Winner | |
| 005 | Mudkip, Gold Pokeball | |
| 006 | Torchic, Gold Pokeball | |
| 007 | Treecko, Gold Pokeball | |
| 008 | Torchic, Reverse | |
| 009 | Combusken | |
| 010 | Mudkip, Reverse | |
| 011 | Marshtomp, Winner | |
| 012 | Pikachu Holo (SS) Tin | |
| 013 | Meowth Holo, (SS) Tin | |
| 014 | Latias, Movie Pokemon Heros | |
| 015 | Latios, Movie Pokemon Heros | |
| 016 | Treecko | Holo Version |
| 017 | Torchic | Holo Version |
| 018 | Mudkip | Holo Version |
| 019 | Whismur | Holo Version |
| 020 | Ludicolo | |
| 021 | Jirachi, (Movie Jirachi Wish Maker) | |
| 022 | Beldum | Winner Stamp Version |
| 023 | Metang (Stadium Challenge) | |
| 024 | Chimecho | Chimecho Winner Stamp |
| 025 | Flygon | Flygon Winner Stamp |
| 026 | Tropical Wind | |
| 027 | Tropical Tidal Wave | |
| 028 | Championship Arena | |
| 029 | Celebi | |
| 030 | Suicune | |
| 031 | Moltres ex, (Tin) | |
| 032 | Articuno ex, (Tin) | |
| 033 | Zapdos ex, (Tin) | |
| 034 | Typhlosion | |
| 035 | Pikachu delta | |
| 036 | Tropical Tidal Wave | |
| 037 | Kyogre ex, (Tin) | |
| 038 | Groudon ex, (Tin) | |
| 039 | Rayquaza ex, (Tin) | |
| 040 | Mew |
iamond & Pearl Promos::.
| HGSS01 | Ho-Oh |
| HGSS02 | Lugia |
| HGSS03 | Pikachu |
| HGSS04 | Wobbuffet |
| HGSS05 | Hoothoot |
| HGSS06 | Noctowl |
| HGSS07 | Feraligatr (Prime) |
| HGSS08 | Meganium (Prime) |
| HGSS09 | Typhlosion (Prime) |
| HGSS10 | Latias |
| HGSS11 | Latios |
| HGSS12 | Cleffa |
| HGSS13 | Smoochum |
| HGSS14 | Lapras |
| HGSS15 | Shuckle |
| HGSS16 | Plusle |
| HGSS17 | Minun |
| HGSS18 | Tropical Tidal Wave (from 2010 Worlds)~STAFF VERSION, provided by SkittyonWailord of SPPF. |
| HGSS19 | (Shiny) Raikou |
| HGSS20 | (Shiny) Entei |
| HGSS21 | (Shiny) Suicune |
| HGSS22 | Porygon |
| HGSS23 | Porygon2 |
| HGSS24 | Hitmonchan |
| HGSS25 | Hitmonlee |
| BW01 | Snivy |
| BW02 | Tepig |
| BW03 | Oshawott |
| BW004 | Reshiram |
| BW005 | Zekrom |
| BW06 | Snivy |
| BW07 | Tepig |
| BW08 | Oshawott |
| BW09 | Zoroark |
| BW10 | Axew |
| BW11 | Pansage |
| BW12 | Zorua |
| BW13 | Minccino |
| BW14 | Pansage |
| BW15 | Pidove |
| BW16 | Axew |
| BW17 | Ducklett |
| BW18 | Darumaka |
| BW19 | Zoroark |
| BW20 | Serperior |
| BW21 | Emboar |
| BW22 | Samurott |
| BW23 | Reshiram |
| BW24 | Zekrom |
| BW25 | Scaggy |
| BW26 | Axew |
| BW27 | Litwick |
| BW28 | Tropical Beach (2011) STAFF Version |
| BW29 | Victory Cup (Third Place) |
| BW30 | Victory Cup (Second Place) |
| BW31 | Victory Cup (First Place) |
| BW32 | Victini |
| BW33 | Riolu |
| BW34 | Luxio |
| BW35 | Meowth |
| BW36 | Reshiram EX |
| BW37 | Kyurem EX |
| BW38 | Zekrom EX |
| BW39 | Battle City |
| BW40 | Volcarona |
| BW41 | Thundurus |
| BW42 | Tornadus |
| BW43 | Landorus |
| BW44 | Kyurem |
| BW45 | Mewtwo-EX |
| BW46 | Darkrai-EX |
| BW47 | Rayquaza-EX |
| BW48 | Altaria |
| BW49 | Lilligant |
| BW50 | Tropical Beach |
| BW51 | Crobat |
| BW52 | Lillipup |
| BW53 | Flygon |
| BW54 | Pikachu |
| BW55 | Elgyem |
| BW56 | Empoleon |
| BW57 | Haxorus |
| BW58 | Black Kyurem |
| BW59 | White Kyurem |
| BW60 | Keldeo |
| BW61 | Keldeo-EX |
| BW62 | Black Kyurem-EX |
| BW63 | White Kyurem-EX |
| BW64 | Drifblim |
| BW65 | Jigglypuff |
| BW66 | Ninetales |
| BW67 | Ampharos |
| BW68 | Meloetta |
| BW69 | Meloetta |
| BW70 | Virizion |
| BW71 | Terrakion |
| BW72 | Cobalion |
| BW73 | Darkrai |
| BW74 | Giratina |
| BW75 | Metagross |
| BW76 | Electrode |
| BW77 | |
| BW78 | |
| BW79 | Landorus |
| BW80 | Druddigon |
| BW81 | Thundurus-EX |
| BW82 | Deoxys-EX |
| BW83 | Lugia-EX |
| BW84 | Porygon-Z |
| BW85 | Lucario |
| BW86 | Genesect |
| BW87 | Leafeon |
| BW88 | Flareon |
| BW89 | Vaporeon |
| BW90 | Glaceon |
| BW91 | Jolteon |
| BW92 | Espeon |
| BW93 | Umbreon |
| BW94 | Eevee |
| BW95 | Champions Festival |
| BW96 | Tornadus-EX |
| BW97 | Eevee |
| BW98 | Mew |
| BW99 | Genesect |
| BW100 | N |
| BW101 | Genesect |
rerelease Cards::.| Base~Extremely Rare | Raichu | Possibly a few of these cards were printed when Jungle's prerelease Clefable was being made. |
| Jungle~Extremely Rare | Clefable | |
| Fossil | Aerodactyl | |
| Team Rocket 1 | Dark Gyarados | |
| Gym Heroes | Misty's Seadra | |
| Sandstorm | Armaldo | |
| Dragon | Gyarados | |
| Aqua vs. Magma | Team Aqua's Cacnea | |
| Hidden Legends | Swalot | |
| Fire Red/Leaf Green | Wartortle | |
| Team Rocket Returns | Dark Houndoom | |
| Deoxys | Manectric | |
| Emerald | Grumpig | |
| Unseen Forces | Bayleef | |
| Delta Species | Metang | |
| Legend Maker | Tentacruel | |
| Holon Phantoms | Exeggutor δ | |
| Crystal Guardians | Ivysaur | |
| Dragon Frontier | Dragonair δ | |
| Power Keepers | Cacturne | |
| Diamond & Pearl | Luxio | Staff Version |
| Mysterious Treasures | Gabite | Staff Version |
| Secret Wonders | Kirlia | Staff Version |
| Great Encounters | Porygon 2 | Staff Version |
| Majestic Dawn | Mothim | Staff Version |
| Legends Awakened | Buck's Training | Staff Version |
| Stormfront | Piloswine | Staff Version |
| Platinum | Lucario | Staff Version |
| Rising Rivals | Tropius | Staff Version |
| Supreme Victors | Milotic | Staff Version |
| Arcues | Raichu | Staff Version |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | Pichu | Staff Version |
| HS – Unleashed | Blastoise | Staff Version |
| HS – Undaunted | Leafeon | Staff Version |
| HS - Triumphant | Electivire | STAFF Version |
| Call of Legends | Snorlax | Staff Version |
| Black & White | Darmanitan | Staff Version |
| BW - Emerging Powers | Gigalith | Staff Version |
| BW - Noble Victories | Victini | Staff Version |
| BW - Next Destinies | Arcanine | Staff Version |
| BW - Dark Explorers | Volcarona | Staff Version |
| BW - Dragons Exalted | Altaria | Staff Version |
| BW - Boundaries Crossed | Flygon | Staff Version |
| BW - Plasma Storm | Crobat | Staff Version |
| BW - Plasma Freeze | Metagross | Staff Version |
| BW - Plasma Blast | Porygon-Z | Staff Version |
| BW - Legendary Treasures | Tornadus-EX |
OP Series Cards::.OP Series 1::. | 1/17 | Blaziken | Holo Version |
| 2/17 | Metagross | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Rayquaza | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Sceptile | Holo Version |
| 5/17 | Swampert | Holo Version |
| 6/17 | Beautifly | |
| 7/17 | Masquerain | |
| 8/17 | Murkrow | |
| 9/17 | Pupitar | |
| 10/17 | Torkoal | |
| 11/17 | Larvitar | |
| 12/17 | Minun | |
| 13/17 | Plusle | |
| 14/17 | Surskit | |
| 15/17 | Swellow | |
| 16/17 | Armaldo ex | Holo Version |
| 17/17 | Tyranitar ex | Holo Version |
OP Series 2::. | 1/17 | Entei | Holo Version |
| 2/17 | Pidgeot | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Raikou | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Suicune | Holo Version |
| 5/17 | Tauros | Holo Version |
| 6/17 | Venusaur | Holo Version |
| 7/17 | Ivysaur | |
| 8/17 | Mr. Briney's Compassion | |
| 9/17 | Multi Technical Machine 01 | |
| 10/17 | Pokemon Park | |
| 11/17 | TV Reporter | |
| 12/17 | Bulbasaur | |
| 13/17 | Cacnea | |
| 14/17 | Luvdisc | |
| 15/17 | Phanpy | |
| 16/17 | Pikachu | |
| 17/17 | Celebi ex | Holo Version |
OP Series 3::. | 1/17 | Blastoise | Holo Version |
| 2/17 | Flareon | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Jolteon | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Minun | Holo Version |
| 5/17 | Plusle | Holo Version |
| 6/17 | Vaporeon | Holo Version |
| 7/17 | Combusken | |
| 8/17 | Donphan | |
| 9/17 | Forretress | |
| 10/17 | High Pressure System | |
| 11/17 | Low Pressure System | |
| 12/17 | Ditto | |
| 13/17 | Eevee | |
| 14/17 | Ivysaur | |
| 15/17 | Marshtomp | |
| 16/17 | Pichu Bros. | |
| 17/17 | Ho-oh ex | Holo Version |
OP Series 4::. | 1/17 | Chimecho δ | |
| 2/17 | Deoxys δ | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Flygon | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Mew | Holo Version |
| 5/17 | Sceptile | |
| 6/17 | Combusken | Holo Version |
| 7/17 | Grovyle | |
| 8/17 | Heal Energy | |
| 9/17 | Pokemon Fan Club | |
| 10/17 | Scramble Energy | |
| 11/17 | Mudkip | Holo Version |
| 12/17 | Pidgey | |
| 13/17 | Pikachu | Holo Version |
| 14/17 | Squirtle | |
| 15/17 | Treecko delta | |
| 16/17 | Wobbuffet | Holo Version |
| 17/17 | Deoxys ex |
OP Series 5::. | 1/17 | Ho-oh | Holo Version |
| 2/17 | Lugia | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Mew δ | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Double Rainbow Energy | |
| 5/17 | Charmeleon δ | |
| 6/17 | Bill's Maintenance | |
| 7/17 | Rare Candy | |
| 8/17 | Boost Energy | |
| 9/17 | Delta Rainbow Energy | |
| 10/17 | Charmander δ | |
| 11/17 | Meowth δ | |
| 12/17 | Pikachu | Holo Version & Error Version |
| 13/17 | Pikachu δ | |
| 14/17 | Pelipper δ | Holo Version |
| 15/17 | Zangoose δ | Holo Version |
| 16/17 | Espeon | |
| 17/17 | Umbreon |
OP Series 6::. | 1/17 | Bastiodon | |
| 2/17 | Lucario9 | |
| 3/17 | Manaphy | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Pachirisu | |
| 5/17 | Rampardos | |
| 6/17 | Drifloon | |
| 7/17 | Gible | Holo Version |
| 8/17 | Riolu | Holo Version |
| 9/17 | Pikachu | Holo Version |
| 10/17 | Staravia | |
| 11/17 | Bidoof | |
| 12/17 | Buneary | |
| 13/17 | Cherubi | |
| 14/17 | Chimchar | Holo Version |
| 15/17 | Piplup | Holo Version |
| 16/17 | Starly | |
| 17/17 | Turtwig | Holo Version |
OP Series 7::. | 1/17 | Ampharos | |
| 2/17 | Gallade | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Latias | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Latios | Holo Version |
| 5/17 | Mothim | Holo Version |
| 6/17 | Delibird | |
| 7/17 | Flaaffy | |
| 8/17 | Kirlia | |
| 9/17 | Stantler | |
| 10/17 | Wormadam Sandy Cloak | |
| 11/17 | Burmy Plant Cloak | |
| 12/17 | Burmy Sandy Cloak | |
| 13/17 | Corsola | |
| 14/17 | Mareep | |
| 15/17 | Ralts | |
| 16/17 | Sentret | |
| 17/17 | Spinda |
OP Series 8::. | 1/17 | Heatran | Holo Version |
| 2/17 | Lucario | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Luxray | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Probopass | Holo Version |
| 5/17 | Yanmega | Holo Version |
| 6/17 | Cherrim | Holo Version |
| 7/17 | Carnivine | Holo Version |
| 8/17 | Luxio | Holo Version |
| 9/17 | Night Maintenance | |
| 10/17 | Rare Candy | |
| 11/17 | Roseanne's Research | |
| 12/17 | Chimchar | |
| 13/17 | Croagunk | Holo Version |
| 14/17 | Happiny | Holo Version |
| 15/17 | Piplup | |
| 16/17 | Riolu | Holo Version |
| 17/17 | Turtwig |
OP Series 9::. | 1/17 | Garchomp | |
| 2/17 | Manaphy | Holo Version |
| 3/17 | Raichu | Holo Version |
| 4/17 | Regigigas | Holo Version |
| 5/17 | Rotom | Holo Version |
| 6/17 | Buizel | |
| 7/17 | Croagunk | |
| 8/17 | Gabite | |
| 9/17 | Lopunny | Holo Version |
| 10/17 | Pachirisu | |
| 11/17 | Pichu | |
| 12/17 | Buneary | |
| 13/17 | Chimchar | |
| 14/17 | Gible | |
| 15/17 | Pikachu | |
| 16/17 | Piplup | |
| 17/17 | Turtwig |
