Altered Card Alert: 1st Edition Italian Pokémon Cards

1st Edition Pokémon cards are some of the most desirable collectibles in the Pokémon TCG. Introduced in Base Set, 1st Edition cards are from the earliest print runs of a Pokémon set and are usually extremely limited. They are marked by an “EDITION 1” symbol, located either in the bottom left-hand corner below the Pokémon’s art box or in the top right corner of Energy cards.

It is not uncommon for 1st Edition cards — especially those from early English sets, such as Base Set or Neo Destiny — to sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars due to the limited quantities that have survived. Because the difference in price between a 1^st Edition and Unlimited card can be so significant, counterfeiters often attempt to add 1st Edition stamps to legitimate Unlimited Edition cards (cards released after the 1st Edition run of a set).

CGC recently received two Italian Pokémon cards as part of a submission. During careful examination, the grading team noticed inconsistencies in the 1st Edition symbols on the cards that proved the symbols to be forgeries printed onto the surfaces of Unlimited cards. Take a look:

A fake Clefairy and Magneton, Italian Base Set 1st Edition (left) and their genuine counterparts (right). Click images to enlarge.

Upon looking closely at the card it soon becomes apparent that something is wrong with the 1st Edition symbol. The ink used for the symbol doesn’t match the color or sheen seen on a genuine card’s 1st Edition symbol. Additionally, the stamps used on these altered cards are raised slightly as they were printed on top of the gloss layer. There is also overspray around the stamp, which is indicative of laser printing.

Interestingly, the submitter of these cards initially requested an error grade. The graders felt that this request was likely in reference to the odd texture in the holofoil section of the card. However, this texture is unfortunately a result of the cards being run through a laser printer to add the 1st Edition stamps. This caused numerous small creases that are most visible in the holofoil areas.

Zooming in on the symbols, it is obvious how much lower quality the forgeries are, and the overspray is even more evident:

A close-up of the 1st Edition symbols on the fake Clefairy and Magneton cards (left) and the genuine examples (right). Click images to enlarge.

It is important to exercise caution when purchasing ungraded cards, especially valuable cards like those from 1st Edition Pokémon sets. Every card certified by CGC is guaranteed to be authentic and not overgraded under the CGC Guarantee. For more information, click here.

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.