Pokémon-Magic Mash-up Certified by CGC Trading Cards Offered in July Auction

In late 2020, CGC Trading Cards authenticated and graded four extremely rare Pokémon test print Blastoise cards. The cards, created in mid-1998, were among the first attempts by Wizards of the Coast (WotC) to create English Pokémon cards. All of the cards featured Blastoise art that was used on a Japanese promo card and on the front of the popular Gameboy game, Pokémon Blue. Three of the four had Magic: The Gathering backs, while one had a blank back.

In July, one of these fascinating cards will be sold at the Trading Card Games Auction #7260, which concludes July 24-25, 2021. Online bidding for the Blastoise #009/165R Test Print (Gold Border) Foil MTG Back from the 1998 Pokémon Set graded CGC 6.5 (lot 36124) had already surpassed $26,000 a week before the sale.

Blastoise #009/165R Test Print (Gold Border) Foil with Magic: The Gathering Back from the 1998 Pokémon Set graded CGC 6.5 Click image to enlarge.

Another card from the same group authenticated by CGC Trading Cards realized $360,000 in a January 2021 sale. That card, which has a blank back, tied a record for the most expensive English Pokémon card ever sold.

The Blastoise rarity being offered in the July 2021 sale was discovered in July 2019 by Zechariah Maples, a Seattle-area game store owner. The artwork on the card is by Ken Sugimori, a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist and director who is best known as the primary character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise.

Seventeen other lots of CGC Trading Cards-certified Pokémon cards are being offered in the July sale, including two cards from the 1999 Wizards of the Coast Base Set: a Pikachu #58 Pokémon Shadowless Trading Card graded CGC 10 (lot 37181); and a Raichu #14 First Edition Pokémon Trading Card graded CGC 8.5 (lot 37180).

Pikachu #58 Pokémon Shadowless Trading Card graded CGC 10 (left) and a Raichu #14 First Edition Pokémon Trading Card graded CGC 8.5 (right). Both from the 1999 Wizards of the Coast Base Set. Click image to enlarge.

Other CGC Trading Cards-certified Pokémon cards in the auction include:

• a Pokémon (1999) Base Set - First Edition Complete Trading Card Set graded CGC 7 to CGC 9.5 (lot 36156)
• a Pokémon (2000) New Genesis - First Edition Complete Trading Card Set graded by CGC (lot 36162)
• a Pokémon (2000) Gym Heroes - First Edition Complete Trading Card Set graded by CGC (lot 36160)
• a Charizard GX #9 from the Pokémon (2019) Hidden Fates Set graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 37183)
• a Charizard VMAX #002 from the Pokémon (2020) Japanese Charizard VMAX Starter Set graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 37214)
• a Lugia #SWSH069 Pokémon (2020) Black Star Promos Vivid Voltage Prelease Promo graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 37184)
• a Charizard #SWSH066 Pokémon (2020) Black Star Promos Vivid Voltage Prelease Promo graded CGC Pristine 10 (lot 36155)

Pokémon cards represent a rapidly growing segment of the collectibles market. To meet collector demand for expert and impartial authentication and grading services, CGC Trading Cards was established in mid-2020 by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), the world-leading comic book certification service.

To learn more about career opportunities with CGC Trading Cards, click here.

Related Links

• CGC Trading Cards Certifies Four Extremely Rare Pokémon Test Print Blastoise Cards
• After Certification by CGC Trading Cards, Pokémon Test Print Blastoise Blasts to $360,000 at Auction