1996 Pokemon Japanese Beta Playtest Mounted On Card Raichu CGC AUTH

Created just months after 1995 Prototype issues, before the 1996 Media Factory Japanese Base Set became the first Pokémon TCG set ever manufactured, Playtest cards are the second iteration of Pokémon cards. As such, they have become coveted by Pokémon collectors and historians looking to add early TCG artifacts to their collections. Beta Playtest cards are the second version of Playtests, following Alpha Playtests. Playtest cards were the first to include the evolution box in the top left corner of the card and give illustrator credit on the bottom. They were also the first Pokémon cards printed in color. However, there’s a key bit of color missing. Playtest cards have white borders. These were later shaded yellow for the ‘96 Media Factory Japanese Base Set. Doing away with the pixelated sprite depictions used on the Prototypes, Playtest cards showcase artwork by legendary Pokémon illustrator Ken Sugimori. While the Sugimori Raichu depiction used in the ‘96 Media Factory Japanese Base Set and then the 1999 English Base Set differs from this illustration, this offering provides a peek into the steps taken to get to that now-famous card. Playtest cards were made on paper and then affixed to firmer cardstock. As such, graded and authenticated versions of these cards will often include the word “Mounted” on the label. Learn more about some of the most important Pokémon cards ever made in our guide What are Pokémon Prototype, Playtest, and Presentation Cards?: https://www.fanaticscollect.com/definitive-guides/what-are-pokemon-prototype-playtest-and-presentation-cards The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 09/09/2024.

This item was flash inserted on Sep 6, 2024.