Base Set: First Edition, Shadowless or Unlimited

The Base Set, the first expansion, was printed several times. Two similar-looking cards can have very different prices depending on their print.

The First Edition

The cards from the first print run bear a "1st Edition" stamp: a small round logo with the word "Edition" above the number 1, placed on the left, just below the illustration. On English cards, the logo reads "1st Edition". This is the most sought-after print, especially for holographic cards like Charizard.

The Shadowless

In English, a print without a stamp was issued before the subsequent ones. On these cards, there is no shadow along the right edge of the illustration frame. They are called "Shadowless". They are rarer than the following prints.

This print exists only in English. The French, German, Italian, and Spanish versions always had the shadow: a French card sold as "Shadowless" is therefore suspicious.

The Unlimited

The subsequent prints do not have a stamp and have a shadow on the right of the frame. These are the most common. They are called "Unlimited".

Checking a Card

1. Look for the "1st Edition" stamp on the left, below the illustration.
2. If there is no stamp, look at the right edge of the illustration frame. A marked shadow means the card is an Unlimited. On an English card, the absence of a shadow means it is a Shadowless.
3. Compare with photos of an authentic copy of the same print.

The Print and the Price

In equal condition, a first edition is often worth much more than an Unlimited. These cards are also often counterfeited. For an expensive card, a graded card provides a guarantee: the grading company has verified the authenticity and the print.

Before buying, also read the guides on recognising a fake card and getting your cards graded.