Why Blastoise is a Collectible Pokémon Card: A Sporty Dive into the World of Collecting

Why Blastoise is a Collectible Pokémon Card: A Sporty Div...

By Jocelyn Alano July 01, 2024 17:13

credit. Etsy

Explore the allure and price potential behind one of Pokémon's most iconic cards through a sports lens. The Blastoise card and its significance.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pokémon Trading Card Game (@pokemontcg)

What Makes These Shadowless Pokémon Cards So Glorious

The shadowless Pokémon cards are recognized by many collectors as historical little gems, and the rarest ones in this category include Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur among others. These cards are part of the original set printed circa the late 1990s and can be easily identified by a missing drop shadow on the right side of the portrait box as well as Pokémon stats. This slight variant in printing makes Shadowless Cards easy to differentiate from later print runs and contributes greatly towards the high desirability of these cards among collectors.

Rarity & Historic Context

The shadowless cards were available for a very short time so they are inherently less common than the later print versions which only adds more of an appeal. The fact that they are the first print run of cards in existence, makes them a piece of TCG history and expands on their rarity as well.

Authentication and Grading

Checking the authenticity and quality of shadowless Pokémon cards is important for both collectors and investors, as the collectors also have the option to get there at hand on graded versions before get too late. Card grading services such as PSA or BGS are a big part of the baseball card authentication process. In the collectors' market, high-grade shadowless Pokémon cards with a PSA 9 or PSA 10 rating are worth much more as they have higher rarity and condition scores.

The Desired Collectable of Blastoise

Blastoise is a favorite of Pokémon fans and collectors since it first appeared. The historical weight of that within the Pokémon universe and its gameplay value have both led to it becoming a highly desirable target in the collectibles market.
The next segment of this Two Point Hospital review will cover the historical and gameplay significance.
Blastoise in the Pokemon TCG is a powerful card, and it's an iconic character from the lore. The fact of the matter is that it was only reprinted due to its guaranteed value, true or otherwise; and being in the shadowless Base Set further cements this card into a collector's holy grail.

Impact on Collectors

The collectible card value of Blastoise has made a marked impact on the market for collectors. Like pretty much all shadowless Pokémon cards, its price is improved by factors like scarcity, state, and demand – making it more of an indicator with pricing trends for the people who go to sell.

Authenticity and Valuation

If you are looking for shadowless Blastoise cards, I would say the two most important things to keep in mind when purchasing one are condition and legitimacy. The rest of the grade will be described as damage, which includes but is not limited to writing on the front or back, light water stains, creases, or smudges. The cards can range from having a slight amount of wear like light bends in edges and corners up to heavy problems.

Market Trends and Pricing

The value of these shadowless Blastoise cards varies a lot by card, condition, and market. Rates on these cards have trended in an upward direction, a reflection of the emergent market for vintage Pokémon TCG collectibles.

In the End

Shadowless Pokémon cards such as the iconic Blastoise are ultimately a part of its history, an abundance of copies in circulation, and vintage collector appeal. These are important factors to consider for collectors and investors in the collectibles market as they impact the value of Blastoise cards on a large scale.
And as a sportswriter, I have to say… long live Blastoise and the collector's market it continues to fuel. Happy collecting!