Pokémon Card Buying Guide

Spot 1st edition and shadowless cards, understand grading, and buy vintage cards with confidence.

Buying vintage Pokémon cards can feel overwhelming. Between 1st Edition stamps, Shadowless prints, and an alphabet soup of grading companies, it's easy to miss key details.

This guide breaks down the essentials — from edition differences to grading tiers — so you can collect smarter and avoid costly mistakes.

1st Edition vs Unlimited vs Shadowless

The 1st Edition Base Set (1999) carries the black “Edition 1” stamp on the left-hand side of the card face and are also "shadowless" (see below). These cards were the very first Pokémon TCG print run and are among the most sought-after by collectors. Later expansions also had 1st edition cards, but the shadow was always present. These cards are also valuable but not as sought after as the 1st edition shadowless base set cards.

Shadowless cards are another variation found only within the earliest Base Set printings. They lack the drop shadow to the right of the Pokémon art box, giving the card a flatter appearance. In addition, the copyright line at the bottom of Shadowless cards shows "1995, 96, 98, 99 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK" compared to the unlimited cards which do NOT show the year 99. These cards do not have the 1st edition stamp. These subtle printing differences make Shadowless cards significantly rarer and more valuable than Unlimited prints.

After the 1st Edition and Shadowless print runs, Wizards of the Coast printed Unlimited editions in much larger numbers. These lack the 1st Edition stamp, include the drop shadow, and have the revised 1999 copyright line. Unlimited cards are the most common vintage printings and usually the most affordable entry point for collectors.

1st Edition Base Set card - Magnemite — 1st Edition Base Set (with black stamp)

Shadowless Base Set card example — Shadowless (no drop shadow + 1999 wizards copyright)

Unlimited Base Set card example — Unlimited (drop shadow + no 1999 Wizards copyright)

Prerelease & Promos

Certain cards were distributed at events or through special packs with a "PRERELEASE" stamp (e.g. Dark Gyarados from Team Rocket). Others were given as Black Star Promos through magazines, movies, or tournaments. These can be harder to price because supply was limited and condition is often worse due to casual handling.

Prerelease Misty's Seadra card example — Misty's Seadra with PRERELEASE stamp.

Condition Guide

Sellers often describe cards with shorthand like NM (Near Mint), LP (Lightly Played), MP (Moderately Played), HP (Heavily Played), or Damaged. These aren't official standards, but generally:

NM / Mint - Clean card, minimal whitening, no creases.
LP - Minor edge wear, light scratches.
MP - Noticeable wear such as whitening, scuffs, or small creases; still sleeve/playable but clearly used.
HP - Heavy damage, bends, watermarks, or major whitening; mainly for play or filler copies.
Damaged - Significant structural damage (tears, ink, water soaking, missing pieces); usually only for placeholders or sentimental value.

Grading Basics

Professional grading services authenticate a card and assign a 1-10 score. The most established companies are:

PSA - The most recognised; strong resale premiums, especially for 9s and 10s.
BGS (Beckett) - Known for subgrades and the elite “Black Label” 10.
CGC - Gained popularity for Pokémon; competitive pricing, respected in the hobby.

Lesser-known grading companies also exist (SGC, ACE, GMA, HGA). These may offer novelty or local appeal but usually don't hold the same resale value.

PSA graded card label — PSA card with grade and cert number.

Where to Buy Safely

Marketplaces like eBay, TCGPlayer, and specialist card collectible shops are the most common sources. Always check:

Seller feedback and history.
Clear photos of the actual card (not stock images).
Return policy in case of undisclosed issues.
In the case of graded cards a viewable PSA grade number can be checked on the PSA website.