1999 Pokemon Base Set Shadowless Blastoise Holo #2

In the summer of 1999, American kids were tearing open booster packs of a Japanese card game most of their parents had never heard of. Pokemon had crossed the Pacific, and Wizards of the Coast was printing cards as fast as they could. The earliest print runs had a subtle difference that nobody noticed at the time: no shadow behind the artwork box on the right side of the card. Within a few years, those "Shadowless" cards would become some of the most sought-after Pokemon cards in existence. The Shadowless Blastoise holo, card #2 in the set, is one of the crown jewels.

Quick Value Summary

• Item: 1999 Pokemon Base Set Shadowless Blastoise Holo #2

• Year: 1999

• Category: Trading Cards

• Condition Range:

  • PSA 4-5 (lightly played): $100 - $250
  • PSA 6-7 (near mint minus): $250 - $700
  • PSA 8 (near mint-mint): $700 - $1,500
  • PSA 9 (mint): $2,500 - $5,000
  • PSA 10 (gem mint): $15,000 - $25,000

• Record Sale: $24,999 (PSA 10, 1st Edition Shadowless, February 2025)

• Rarity: Rare (Shadowless print run was limited to early 1999 production)

The Story

When Wizards of the Coast brought Pokemon to the United States in January 1999, they were working from Japanese card templates. The very first English-language print run carried over certain design elements that were quickly revised. The most notable: the card frame around the illustration box cast no drop shadow on the right and bottom edges.

Wizards corrected this in subsequent print runs, adding a visible shadow to the card border. The change was purely cosmetic. It did not affect gameplay. But it created a clear visual dividing line between the earliest cards off the printing press and everything that came after.

For years, nobody cared. Kids were playing with these cards, trading them on schoolyard blacktop, rubber-banding them together and shoving them into backpacks. The Shadowless distinction was a footnote in collector guides. Then the Pokemon nostalgia wave hit in the late 2010s. Adults who had grown up with the game started buying back their childhood. Prices for graded Shadowless holos climbed steadily, then exploded during the pandemic-era collectibles boom of 2020-2021.

Blastoise holds a special place in this market. As the cover Pokemon of the Blue version Game Boy game, Blastoise was many American kids' first starter. The card itself features Blastoise in an aggressive pose, water cannons extended, illustrated by Ken Sugimori. It is one of only 16 holographic cards in the Base Set.

How to Identify a Shadowless Blastoise

The Shadowless distinction is subtle but unmistakable once you know what to look for:

• No shadow on the right side of the art box: Hold the card at an angle. Unlimited (common) versions have a visible dark shadow along the right edge and bottom of the illustration window. Shadowless cards have a clean, flat border.

• Copyright line: Shadowless cards read "1995, 96, 98, 99 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK" at the bottom. Later Unlimited prints may show slight differences.

• "HP 100" font: On Shadowless cards, the HP text is thinner. The energy cost symbols may appear slightly different in color saturation.

• 1st Edition vs. Shadowless: A 1st Edition Shadowless Blastoise has a small "Edition 1" stamp on the left side below the illustration. Shadowless without this stamp is simply called "Shadowless" (not 1st Edition). 1st Edition Shadowless cards are worth roughly 3-5x more than non-1st Edition Shadowless.

Common Confusions

• Unlimited Base Set Blastoise: The most common version. Has the shadow. Worth $20-$100 raw depending on condition.

• Base Set 2 Blastoise: Released in 2000 with a "2" logo. Much less valuable.

• Shadowless vs. 1st Edition: All 1st Edition Base Set cards are also Shadowless, but not all Shadowless cards are 1st Edition. The 1st Edition stamp is the key difference.

Value by Condition

PSA 4-5 / Lightly Played ($100 - $250)

Visible wear on edges and corners. Surface scratching visible under light. The holo pattern still shows well. These are cards that were played with but not abused. A PSA 5 Shadowless Blastoise sold for $204 in January 2026.

PSA 6-7 / Near Mint Minus ($250 - $700)

Minor edge wear, perhaps a small surface scratch or two. Centering may be slightly off. The card presents well in a holder. Most "well-kept childhood collection" Blastoises land here.

PSA 8 / Near Mint-Mint ($700 - $1,500)

Sharp corners, minimal surface issues. Centering is acceptable but may not be perfect.

PSA 9 / Mint ($2,500 - $5,000)

Near-perfect card with only the most minor imperfections visible under magnification. Strong centering, clean surfaces, sharp corners.

PSA 10 / Gem Mint ($15,000 - $25,000)

Flawless card. Perfect centering within PSA tolerances, no surface issues, razor-sharp corners, pristine edges. A 1st Edition Shadowless Blastoise PSA 10 sold for $20,200 in January 2025 and $24,999 in February 2025. Non-1st Edition Shadowless PSA 10 examples trade in the $5,000-$8,000 range.

Known Variations

• 1st Edition Shadowless: The most valuable version. Has the Edition 1 stamp. PSA 10 population is extremely small.

• Shadowless (non-1st Edition): Second print run, still early 1999. No Edition stamp but retains the Shadowless border. Significantly more affordable than 1st Edition.

• Unlimited: Standard production with shadow border. The version most people own.

• Base Set 2: 2000 reprint. Worth the least.

Authentication and Fakes

Pokemon card fakes have become increasingly sophisticated. Watch for:

• Card stock: Real Pokemon cards have a specific feel and flex. Fakes often feel too smooth, too thick, or too thin.

• Light test: Hold the card up to a bright light. Authentic Pokemon cards have an opaque black layer in the middle of the card stock. Light should not pass through easily.

• Holo pattern: The holographic pattern on authentic Base Set cards has a specific star/cosmic pattern. Fake holos often look too uniform or have the wrong pattern.

• Text sharpness: Under magnification, authentic cards have clean, sharp text. Fakes often show fuzzy or bleeding text.

PSA, BGS (Beckett), and CGC all grade Pokemon cards. PSA is the most popular grading service for Pokemon, and PSA-graded cards generally command the highest premiums. Grading costs $20-$150 depending on service level and declared value.

Where to Sell

• eBay: The largest market for Pokemon cards. Auction format works well for high-value graded cards.

• PWCC Marketplace: Specializes in graded cards and handles high-value Pokemon regularly.

• StockX/Fanatics Collect: Fixed-price platforms that handle authentication.

• Local card shops: Quick cash but expect 60-70% of market value.

Expected selling costs: eBay takes about 13% in fees. PSA grading runs $20-$150 depending on tier. Insured shipping for a graded card is $10-$20 domestically.

Not sure if your Blastoise is Shadowless? Upload a photo to Curio Comp and find out in seconds.

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