Base Set is the cornerstone of English Pokémon and the set every collector measures the hobby against. Wizards of the Coast localized the original Japanese Base Set and shipped it January 9, 1999, opening the door to a worldwide craze. We grade it in three flavors: 1st Edition (stamped, scarce), Shadowless (the brief transitional print with no drop-shadow behind the art window), and Unlimited (the mass run most kids opened). The 102-card checklist runs 16 holo rares up top, and the holographic Charizard turned into the most famous trading card on earth. Centering ran loose from the press, so a 60/40 card here is the norm rather than a flaw — keep that in mind before you crack one out for grading.
- 11st Edition cards carry a black '1' inside a circle (the 'Edition 1' stamp) below the bottom-left of the art window.
- 2Shadowless prints lack the drop-shadow on the right/bottom of the art window and use a thinner, lighter HP font.
- 3Unlimited prints add the drop-shadow and use bolder, darker text and yellower borders.
- 4Loose centering is common straight from the press; 60/40 is typical, not a defect.
Centering ran loose — a 60/40 left-to-right tilt is typical and not a defect. Both 1st Edition and Shadowless prints lack the drop-shadow on the right/bottom of the art window, and holos are prone to edge whitening and surface scratches that hurt the grade. Check the 1st Edition stamp (below the bottom-left of the art window) under magnification for tampering.
Every card in the set, across all 3 editions. Pick an edition to narrow the listed copies; listed cards are clickable.
See every Base Set card we have in stock.