Look closely at the border of your Base Set cards. Shadowless cards have become collector’s items because only a small amount of them exist.

Therefore, all of the cards from the original print run are referred to as Shadowless. But what does this term mean and how can you tell if your card is Shadowless?Īfter the first print run of Base Set Pokemon cards, a drop shadow was added to the art box to spruce up the design a bit. For example, a Shadowless Base Set Charizard card typically sells for a few thousand dollars on eBay. You may have heard the term “Shadowless” tossed around when referring to extremely valuable Pokemon cards.

Sometimes these cards look no different than others of the same kind at first glance and require special attention to identify, so look carefully! Shadowless These are often printing errors or limited distribution that led to a card becoming extremely precious to collectors. Special Cards to Keep an Eye Out ForĪside from the various rares mentioned above, there are a few unique traits worth looking out for that can mean a Pokemon card has high value. Having a card graded requires a fee, so reserve grading for cards you know have value. This serves to show buyers the card’s condition has been professionally determined and that it has been verified as real.Typically, cards have more value after being graded, so it’s worth considering if you find a valuable card in your collection. Cards in practically perfect condition receive the coveted “Gem Mint” rating, which raises its value further.After being graded, the card is sealed in a hard protective case and officially labeled with its grade. The higher the number grade, the more a card is worth. If you determine a card is worth selling, you may want to consider having it professionally authenticated and graded.The most popular third-party grading service is PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and there are other well-known services such as BGS (Beckett Grading Services) and SCG (Sports Card Guarantee).Having a card graded mainly serves to gauge its condition on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. These flaws are less impactful on value and are usually only factored in when having the card professionally graded. Then there are minor imperfections, such as centering and chipping, that are a result of how well the card was printed. This kind of damage can severely lower the value of a card.

There are obvious flaws such as scratches, bends, and tears, usually caused by playing with the cards or not storing them properly. Any card you think may have value should be stored in a protective sleeve and kept out of direct sunlight to preserve its condition.Ī perfect mint or near-mint condition card will usually sell for full price, while any flaws will cause it to lose value. Once you’ve figured out which cards in your collection are rare enough to consider selling, the next step is to assess their condition.

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