Are you collecting vintage Pokémon cards?
As vintage Pokémon cards continue to rise in popularity, English Base Set cards are becoming increasingly interesting to collectors. The English Base Set was the first Pokémon TCG set released in the United States, and there are actually several different variants of the same cards.
Some of these variants are extremely difficult to find, making them an interesting challenge for collectors who want to collect every version of their favorite Pokémon.
English Base Set Pokémon Card Variants
The English Base Set was released in the United States in January 1999, more than two years after the original Japanese Pokémon Card Game launched in October 1996.
The English Pokémon TCG was published by Wizards of the Coast. The Base Set featured the same core Pokémon as the original Japanese set, with Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur appearing on the three booster pack designs.
Just like the Japanese No Rarity first-print cards, the English Base Set also has several visually different versions.
1st Edition Stamp
The first major difference is the 1st Edition stamp.
As shown below, the stamp appears on the left side of the card and identifies the card as part of the first-edition printing.
Variant #1: 1st Edition Thick
The first variant is the 1st Edition Thick.
The number “1” in the 1st Edition stamp is noticeably thick compared with other versions.
Variant #2: 1st Edition Thin
The second version is the 1st Edition Thin.
The number “1” is printed differently and appears thinner than the Thick version.
Variant #3: 1st Edition Gray
The third version is commonly called 1st Edition Gray.
The 1st Edition stamp appears noticeably lighter and more gray compared with the darker versions.
These differences appear to be related to the original printing rather than simply aging or fading. The exact reason for the different appearances is not completely clear, and the relative rarity of the Gray variant is also difficult to establish.
Variant #4: Shadowless Non-1st Edition
The next major variant is the Shadowless Non-1st Edition.
These cards do not have the 1st Edition stamp, but they also lack the characteristic shadow on the right side of the Pokémon illustration.
This printing appeared after the 1st Edition cards and before the regular Unlimited printing. Shadowless cards are particularly popular among vintage Pokémon collectors.
Variant #5: Unlimited Edition
The Unlimited Edition is the most widely produced version of the original Base Set.
These cards have the familiar shadow next to the Pokémon artwork but do not have the 1st Edition stamp.
Because considerably more Unlimited cards were produced, this is generally the easiest Base Set variant to find.
However, high-grade copies can still be extremely valuable, especially for popular Pokémon.
Variant #6: Unlimited 4th Print
Another interesting version is the Unlimited 4th Print.
At first glance, it looks almost identical to the regular Unlimited version.
The easiest way to identify this printing is by looking at the copyright information at the bottom of the card.
Instead of simply showing ©1999, this later printing shows ©1999-2000.
This is associated with later printing for the UK market and is considerably less commonly encountered than the standard Unlimited version.
Variant #7: Base Set 2
Base Set 2 is another version that collectors may encounter when looking for a particular Base Set Pokémon.
Base Set 2 was released in February 2000 and reprinted cards from Base Set and Jungle.
It is generally less expensive than some of the earlier Base Set variants, but it is still an important part of the printing history of these classic Pokémon.
Variant #8: Legendary Collection Reverse Holo
One of the most visually impressive versions comes from the Legendary Collection.
Released in May 2002, Legendary Collection brought together cards from several earlier sets, including Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket.
The reverse holo versions feature a distinctive reflective pattern across the card, making them immediately recognizable.
These cards can be considerably more expensive than ordinary versions, especially for popular Pokémon in high grade.
Variant #9: Legendary Collection Normal
The final version is the normal Legendary Collection printing.
This is the standard non-reverse-holo printing from Legendary Collection.
The different expansion symbol and set design make it possible to distinguish this version from the original Base Set cards.
How Many Base Set Variants Are There?
For collectors following these particular versions, the nine variants discussed above provide a fascinating way to collect the same Pokémon across different printings:
- 1st Edition Thick
- 1st Edition Thin
- 1st Edition Gray
- Shadowless Non-1st Edition
- Unlimited Edition
- Unlimited 4th Print
- Base Set 2
- Legendary Collection Reverse Holo
- Legendary Collection Normal
Once you start looking into these differences, collecting a single Pokémon becomes much more challenging than simply finding one Base Set copy.
Why Collect Base Set Variants?
One of the most enjoyable things about vintage Pokémon collecting is being able to build an entire collection around a single favorite Pokémon.
Instead of owning just one Base Set card, you can try to find every major printing and variant.
The difficulty increases dramatically if you want every version in PSA 10. Some variants rarely appear for sale, and finding a high-grade copy can be extremely difficult.
Final Thoughts
English Base Set variants are a fascinating part of vintage Pokémon collecting.
The differences can be surprisingly subtle: the thickness of the 1st Edition “1,” the color of the stamp, the presence or absence of a shadow, copyright text, or the reverse-holo pattern.
That makes these cards especially fun for collectors who enjoy hunting for small details and completing difficult collections.
If your favorite Pokémon appeared in Base Set, try checking how many different versions exist. You may discover that completing the full variant collection is much harder than expected.
Related Guides
- Most Valuable Vintage Japanese Pokémon Cards
- Most Valuable Vintage Japanese Pikachu Cards
- Masaki Gengar Guide
- Oyama’s Pikachu Guide
- Dark Venusaur Guide
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