Pokémon cards: language, holo, reverse holo and edition explained

Language

The same card is printed in several languages such as German, English or Japanese. The card number stays the same while name and text differ. On marketplaces these are separate listings.

German cards are easier for children to read. Collectors often go for English cards because the selection is larger. What matters is that binder and list name the same language, otherwise a different card arrives than you expected.

Finish: holo, reverse holo, non-holo

• Holo: the picture on the card shines, the rest stays matte.
• Reverse holo: the shine is the other way round, on frame and background, while the picture stays matte.
• Non-holo: the card has no shine effect.

Not every card exists in every finish. Some exist only as holo, others in several variants. The catalogue data is not complete for every card, so Cardfolio asks for the finish when it is not clearly known.

Edition and print variant

• 1st Edition: early sets were first printed with a “1st Edition” stamp and later without. The stamped version is considerably rarer.
• Unlimited: the regular print run without the stamp.
• Shadowless: an early variant of the English Base Set without the shadow on the picture frame.

These differences mostly concern the sets of the early years. Modern sets have no 1st Edition. Anyone assembling a gift from current cards usually does not need to worry about edition and Shadowless.

What this means when you buy

Set language and finish deliberately when you order. Both are shown on the listing, though not always in the same place. Check before buying that the photo matches the variant described.

Cardfolio asks for finish and edition and puts them into the list you hand to the marketplace. Cards where this cannot be settled clearly stay visible and are not guessed.

Keep reading

• Pokémon card condition: what Near Mint, Excellent and Played mean
• Cardmarket or TCGplayer: where should you buy your Pokémon cards?