Japanese Pokemon Card Krabby (Krab) Fossil Expansion No. 098
The Pokemon Company / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK · Collectibles & Antiques > Trading Card Games > Pokemon
Era / Decade
Late 1990s (Circa 1997-1998); identified by the 'Mystery of the Fossils' set symbols and classic Japanese pocket monster back design (assumed).
Material
Cardstock with plastic-coated finish; typical high-quality Japanese printing and thinner card stock compared to English equivalents.
Condition
Good to Very Good. Visible edge wear and whitening on the top right corner and left edges. Centering appears slightly shifted to the left.
Demand Level
Moderate; sustained interest for 'Vintage' collectors filling Japanese sets, but low due to being a common (non-rare) card.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
Low: $1.00 | Mid: $3.00 | High: $6.00 (Prices vary based on precise grading and current eBay competitive auctions).
Estimated Retail Value
$5.00 - $7.00 (Current market equivalent for a new booster pack pull from that era if adjusted for inflation).
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sold listings for ungraded Japanese Fossil Krabby cards range between $1.50 and $4.00 plus shipping. Near Mint (NM) copies occasionally fetch up to $8.00.
Description
Authentic Japanese Pokemon TCG card featuring Krabby (Krab) from the original Fossil expansion set. Features art by Mitsuhiro Arita. Card text includes attacks 'Call for Family' and 'Vise Grip'. Non-holo common card.
Key Features
Early Japanese release, artwork by legendary illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita, nostalgic 'Fossil' set iconography, higher quality ink saturation typical of early Japanese prints.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. Correct font kerning in the HP50 text, accurate fossil set symbol, proper blue saturation in the water energy symbols, and correct artist credit. No 'red flags' for fake proxies observed.
Flaws to Note
Significant whitening/scuffing on the top right edge and corner. Minor surface scratches may be present. Softening of corners lowers professional grading potential.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (Global reach for collectors), Mercari (Easy listing for card singles), or TCGPlayer (Specialized marketplace).
Selling Tips
Photograph the back of the card to show full condition details. Use keywords like 'Vintage Japanese Pokemon', 'Fossil Set', and 'Mitsuhiro Arita'. Ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader (semi-rigid protector) via USPS Ground Advantage or eBay Standard Envelope for tracking.