You have some Pokemon cards sitting around and you've heard they can be pretty valuable, but you don't know if your cards are rare or common or even how to tell what card you have. What is "reverse holo"? What is "first edition"? And what the heck is "shadowless"?
This guide will help you determine which Pokemon cards you have so you can look them up and know the value.
How to determine Pokemon card numbers?
Fast way to determine Pokemon card?
How to determine Pokemon card sets?
How to determine Pokemon card editions?
How to determine Pokemon card versions? (Base, Holo, Reverse Holo)
How to determine Pokemon card numbers?
The card number is written on all Pokemon cards. It isn't obvious though. Look in the bottom right or bottom left corner of the card. You will see two numbers.
The first number is the card number for this specific pokemon card. "36" in the example above.
The second number is the number of cards in that set. "114" in the above card.
So this card is number 36 out of 114.
Sometimes cards will have numbers higher than the maximum. These are called "Secret Rare" cards and they are some of the most valuable Pokemon cards.
Fast way to determine Pokemon card?
The number and name are usually unique. So with the card number method above and the name of the card, you can usually search for the card and find the exact one you have without worry about sets.
For example,
Bergmite #36. Search for that card on PriceCharting and you'll find the card is for
Steam Siege set.
You only need to
determine the version - standard or reverse holo - to know the exact card you have.
You can use the search box below to find your cards with this method.
For cards that don't have unique name and number combinations you will need to look up the set using the steps below.
How to determine Pokemon card sets?
Several times a year, new Pokemon cards are released in different sets. Names like
Vivid Voltage,
Team Rocket,
Sun & Moon, etc.
Each set has a unique logo printed on the card and a unique list of cards. To determine the set, you locate the logo on the card. It's right above the lower border of the card.
Below is an image showing the logo on a card.
Then look up the logo in a
list of Pokemon set symbols.
The only set that does not have a logo is the
Pokemon Base Set. It is the first set of Pokemon cards and the most valuable. If you don't see a logo on your card, that's a good thing.
How to determine Pokemon card editions?
Some early Pokemon card sets have "1st Editions" and regular editions. 1st Edition was the first printing of the card and there are fewer of them and they are worth more money. A
1st Edition Charizard could be worth $300,000 in top condition, while a
standard Charizard is worth $6,500.
Look for a "1st Edition" logo on the card. The logo is usually near the corners of the Pokemon artwork.
See an example below.
The Pokemon Base Set has another "edition" that other sets don't have. It's called "Shadowless".
Some time after the first edition, Pokemon cards started being printed with drop shadows behind the artwork. But there was a period between first edition and drop shadows being added where there was no shadow. These cards are more rare than the standard versions with the shadow, but less rare than the 1st edition.
See examples belows of the shadowless and standard editions.
Standard
Shadowless
How to determine Pokemon card versions?
Base, Holo, Reverse Holo
Most Pokemon card sets have different versions of the cards. There are "Holo", "Standard", and "Reverse Holo".
Standard: There are no shiny parts on the card. When you tilt the front of the card light doesn't bounce off in different ways on different parts.
Holo (Foil): The Pokemon artwork is shiny. Parts of the artwork reflect light differently when turned at different angles.
Reverse Holo: The part outside the artwork is shiny. Parts of the background will reflect light differently at different angles.
Differences in holo or non-holo can be hard to differentiate in photos, but here are some examples below.
Holo Pokemon Card Example
Non Holo (Standard/Base) Card Example
Reverse Holo Card Example
Non-Holo (Standard/Base) Card Example
Now you know how to identify your Pokemon cards. Checkout PriceCharting's values to see
how much your pokemon cards are worth.
