What Is A Shadowless Pokemon Card? Complete Guide

Shadowless Pokemon Cards are some of the most expensive in the history of the Pokemon TCG, but what are they? Here is our complete guide on Shadowless Pokemon cards.

Contents

What is a shadowless Pokemon card?

How can I tell if a Pokemon card is shadowless?

Are Shadowless Pokemon cards worth more?

Are all 1st editions shadowless?

A Shadowless Pokemon card is an early print of the original base set without a shadow on the card edge. Wizards of the Coast made 4 main print runs of the English Base set, 1st Edition, Shadowless, Unlimited and the 1999 - 2000 print run. The first two print runs didn’t receive a shadow on the card border. So they have the name Shadowless. However, even though the first print run was Shadowless, it is more commonly referred to as the 1st Edition because of the stamp on each card in the print run. This makes the first two print runs distinguishable from one another.

In January 1999, the 1st Edition Base set of Pokemon cards was released in the USA, becoming the first English Pokemon cards and making Pokemon TCG History. These 1st Edition Base set cards quickly sold out with incredible demand. So multiple reprints were swiftly released to meet demand. However, to this day, collectors still want those rare 1st edition and Shadowless Base set cards because of their nostalgia and rarity. The earliest Base Set cards became the foundation for the entire Pokemon TCG. So for me and millions of fans, we owe a lot to these cards.

What is a Shadowless Pokemon card?

To identify shadowless Pokemon cards, look for border shadows, 1st edition stamps, text thickness, and copyright dates. Here is how to tell which print run your base set card is from and whether it is shadowless.

How can I tell if a Pokemon card is shadowless?

1st Edition Base Set cards are the first ever English Pokemon cards and are the most sought-after by collectors. The key defining feature of a 1st edition Pokemon card is the 1st edition stamp, typically located on the bottom left of the illustration, and the lack of a shadow on the right of the illustration. These cards have a copyright date at the bottom, which reads 1995, 1996, 1998, or 1999

1st Edition cards are the rarest and most expensive out of the four print runs. While they can be referred to as "shadowless" along with the shadowless print run, we tend to use "1st Edition" to differentiate them.

1st Edition

Shadowless cards are from the 2nd print run of the base set and are incredibly expensive. Shadowless cards are nearly identical to 1st Edition cards. The only difference is that Shadowless cards do not have a 1st Edition stamp on them. Similarly to 1st Edition cards, Shadowless cards have no border shadow and have a copyright date of 1995, 96, 98, and 99.

No other language has a Shadowless Print card.

Shadowless

Unlimited Cards are the 3rd print run of the base set and aren’t the most expensive but still have a good value. The print run gained its name for the unlimited quantity of cards that could be printed. A card from the Unlimited print run can be recognised by the shadow on the left side of the illustration, thick HP font, more vibrant colours and a copyright date of 1995, 96, 98. Unlimited Base Set cards are the most common but still have a good value.

Unlimited

The 2000 print is the final main Base set print run and is quite hard to find with a similar value to the unlimited print in most instances. Cards from the 2000 print run are difficult to find. However, they aren’t more valuable than unlimited prints. To identify whether your card is a part of the 4th print run, you have to look at the end of the copyright information. If it’s a 2000 card it will say 1999-2000. The two print runs are so similar this is the only differentiating factor between them.

1999 - 2000

Shadowless Pokemon cards are worth more because they’re the earliest English Pokemon cards and have a limited quantity. 1st Edition (Shadowless) cards are worth the most because they’re the first and most rare of the base set cards. Shadowless print cards are also valuable, but worth less than 1st Edition cards. Even though Unlimited and 2000 print run cards are still base set cards, their value is lower than other print runs.

For example, here is the approximate average value of a PSA 10 Holographic Charizard from the first 3 print runs.

1st Edition PSA 10 Holo Charizard: $252,000

Shadowless PSA 10 Holo Charizard: $30,000

Unlimited PSA 10 Holo Charizard: $10,000

It is important to note that the print does not solely determine the card's value. There are a multitude of different factors that can dictate the value of your Pokemon card.

Are Shadowless Pokemon cards worth more?

Yes, all 1st Edition Base Set cards are shadowless. Every card from the 1st Edition or Shadowless print runs does not have a shadow on the right side of the illustration. If your base set card lacks shadows, its value may be significantly higher than later prints.

However, there is one card that defies this rule. Machamp was only available in the two-player starter kit. This card can feature a 1st Edition stamp and a shadow around its border. Interestingly, it is the only English card that has both the 1st Edition stamp and a shadow.

Are all 1st editions shadowless?

To conclude, Shadowless Pokemon cards are scarce and valuable. If you are fortunate enough to possess a Shadowless Pokemon card, you own a precious asset. The term "Shadowless" refers to the Base Set Pokemon cards that do not have a border shadow, either from the 1st or 2nd print run. Following the triumph of these initial Base Set cards, additional print runs were produced.

However, the most desired cards have always been those first Base Set cards because these early, nostalgic cards became the foundation of an incredible community.

Check out more articles about Pokemon TCG rarities and the latest expansion called Twilight Masquerade.

Conclusion on Shadowless Pokemon Cards

Image Sources: TCG Player & RelentlessDragon

Sources

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