If you’ve been into trading or collecting Pokemon cards from the 90s or early 2000s, you may have noticed something. The same two cards from this time period can have completely different values all because of one small symbol. This is the first edition symbol. But why are they worth so much and will we see this symbol in the future?
What are first edition Pokemon cards?
First edition Pokemon cards always have a 1st edition symbol, usually on the lower left of the art. This 1st edition symbol signifies that the card was printed during the first print run of the set. Any cards printed after this first run don’t have this symbol and are called Unlimited cards, which are usually more common. This just means this card is one of the first of it’s kind.
Why Are First Edition Pokemon Cards So Valuable?
You’ve probably seen certain vintage Pokemon cards being valued for thousands of dollars. These are typically first edition cards because they’re usually more rare than their unlimited counterparts. It’s impossible to know how many first edition cards are out there but, especially in the original Base Set, they were printed far less than the Unlimited cards or even Shadowless cards. This makes them more scarce and more desirable by collectors. If you get your hands on a First Edition card, you’ll want to take care of it the best you can.
Will First Edition Cards Come Back?
In English sets, we haven’t seen a first edition card ever since WOTC (Wizards of the Coast) stopped printing Pokemon cards in 2003. Despite it being a long time since then, First Edition Cards coming back isn’t out of the realm of possibility. In fact, since 2003, we’ve seen several first edition cards in Japanese sets so this is clearly something The Pokemon Company doesn’t have a problem with. With The Pokemon Company possibly buying MPG, the ones who manufacture English Pokemon cards, they may implement some changes. Amongst these changes could be bringing back first edition symbols to English sets.