Japanese Pokemon Card Golbat LV.29 No. 042 (Team Rocket Expansion)
Pokemon / Media Factory / Nintendo · Toys & Games > Trading Card Games > Pokemon
Era / Decade
Late 1990s (Released November 1996 in Japan). Clues include the original Media Factory layout and the absence of a rarity symbol in the bottom right corner.
Material
Cardstock with glossy finish and lithographic printing. Japanese cards from this era are known for superior cardstock quality compared to English counterparts.
Condition
Good to Very Good. Noted whitening on the bottom right edge and slight surface wear. The corners show mild softening. No major creases are visible from the front.
Demand Level
Moderate. Japanese vintage cards have a dedicated niche, but Golbat is not a 'chase' card like Charizard or Mewtwo.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
$2.00 - $8.00 (Ungraded/Raw). The lack of a rarity symbol (No Rarity) in this Japanese set does not typically command the massive premium that the Base Set 'No Rarity' cards do.
Estimated Retail Value
$3.00 - $5.00 (Original pack price adjusted for single unit today)
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies of this card in similar condition range from $3.00 to $7.50 plus shipping. Graded PSA 9 copies may reach $25-$40, but this specific card's edges prevent a high grade.
Description
This is a vintage Japanese Pokemon Golbat card from the Team Rocket expansion (identified by the R logo watermark behind the text, though text-heavy here). It features artwork by Kagemaru Himeno. The card is printed in Japanese and features the original 'Old Back' design (Pocket Monsters card back). 60 HP, Stage 1 evolution from Zubat.
Key Features
Vintage Japanese 'pocket monsters' aesthetic; original 1990s artwork; nostalgic 'Old Back' design; highly collectible for fans of Kagemaru Himeno artwork.
Authenticity Indicators
Correct color saturation; sharp printing of the evolution window and energy symbols; correct font for Japanese characters. High confidence in authenticity.
Flaws to Note
Visible whitening (silvering) on the bottom right edge; corner wear; likely light surface scratching not visible in photo. Not a candidate for high-grade professional (PSA 10) submission.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the primary market for vintage singles. Mercari is also a strong secondary choice for Pokemon collectors.
Selling Tips
Take high-resolution photos of the back of the card to show whitening clearly. Use keywords like 'Vintage Japanese Pokemon', 'Pocket Monsters', and 'Old Back'. Ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader inside a cardboard mailer for protection.