Japanese Pokemon Gastly (No. 092) Expansion Pack (Base Set) Common Card
Media Factory / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK · Collectibles & Antiques > Trading Card Games > Pokémon
Era / Decade
Late 1990s (specifically 1996). Verified by the lack of rarity symbol in the bottom right and the original Japanese layout used for the inaugural Expansion Pack release.
Material
Cardstock with a gloss finish. High-quality original Japanese manufacturing, noted for being slightly thicker and having a higher-quality coating than early Western releases.
Condition
Very Good. The front shows clean edges and no major surface scratches. There is slight edge wear visible on the bottom corners. Final value depends heavily on the 'back' condition, specifically the blue 'Pocket Monsters' logo.
Demand Level
Moderate to Strong. While it is a common card, vintage Japanese Pokemon cards are highly collectible for those completing master sets or seeking 'Old Back' art.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
Low: $2.00, Mid: $5.00, High: $15.00+ (high end only if professional grading yields a PSA 9 or 10).
Estimated Retail Value
$1.00 - $3.00 (original equivalent adjusted for inflation). In 1996, Japanese packs cost roughly 300 Yen for 10 cards.
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sold listings for raw (ungraded) Japanese Gastly cards range from $1.50 to $8.00 plus shipping, depending on if the back is mint or has whitening.
Description
A vintage 1996 Japanese Pokemon Gastly card from the original Expansion Pack (Japan's equivalent to Base Set). Features the iconic artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita. This is the common variant, identified by the black diamond symbol in the bottom right corner. Text is entirely in Japanese. The card features Gastly against a brick wall background with its signature purple gas.
Key Features
Vintage 'Wizards of the Coast' era equivalent, Mitsuhiro Arita artwork, nostalgia for original 151 Pokemon, Japanese 'Base Set' cards often have better print quality than English versions.
Authenticity Indicators
Correct font kerning for the HP50 and Japanese characters; authentic set symbol (black diamond for common); correct artist credit (Mitsuhiro Arita). Confidence Level: High.
Flaws to Note
Minor whitening/chipping on bottom right edge. Surface micro-scratches (likely visible under bright light). Centering appears slightly off to the left.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the primary market for singles. TCGPlayer for volume. Mercari is also effective for vintage cards.
Selling Tips
Photograph the back of the card on a dark surface to show edge wear clearly. Use keywords like 'Vintage', 'Japanese', 'Old Back', '1996', and 'Mitsuhiro Arita'. Ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader (semi-rigid) inside a reinforced envelope.