Metapod 54/102 Shadowless Base Set (1st Edition Error)
Wizards of the Coast (WOTC) / Nintendo · Collectibles > Trading Card Games > Pokémon
Era / Decade
1999 (Early Production)
Material
Cardstock with matte finish; authentic 1999 print quality
Condition
Good (Light Play). Visible whitening on the right edge and corners. Surface appears mostly clean but reflects handled condition.
Demand Level
Moderate. High nostalgia value, but common card rarity limits price ceiling unless professionally graded Gem Mint.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
$2.00 - $8.00 (Ungraded/Raw)
Estimated Retail Value
$0.50 - $0.99 (Original pack price in 1999)
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for Shadowless Metapod in LP (Light Play) condition range from $3.00 to $6.00 plus shipping.
Description
This is a vintage 1999 Pokémon Base Set Metapod (54/102). Notably, this is a 'Shadowless' variant, identifiable by the lack of a drop shadow behind the character illustration box and the specific 1995, 96, 98, 99 copyright date line. It also features the 'HP 70' error where the HP value is placed before the number instead of after, common to this print run.
Key Features
Shadowless variant; first print run outside of 1st Edition; 1999 copyright date; HP 70 alignment error; Ken Sugimori illustration.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. Correct font kerning, specific shadowless border coloring, and authentic 1999 copyright date string match known legitimate prints.
Flaws to Note
Edge wear/whitening on the right side; corner softening; minor surface scratches from handling in the late 90s.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay, TCGPlayer, or Mercari. Best for collectors looking to complete 'Shadowless' sets.
Selling Tips
Use keywords 'Shadowless' and 'Base Set'. Ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader inside a non-machinable envelope to protect condition. Take clear photos of the back corners to show the whitening.