2000 Pokemon Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9 MBA BGS 10 PRISTINE

Before the Neo Genesis 1st Edition release in 2000, only trainers who braved the swirling whirlpools of the Whirl Islands and conquered its twisting maze of caves earned the right to stand face-to-face with the Guardian of the Seas. Lugia, the game mascot of Pokémon Silver, is said to reside deep within an oceanic trench, its power so great that it voluntarily isolates itself to avoid bringing accidental destruction to the surface world. Not long after Lugia’s introduction in Pokémon: The Movie 2000 (1999) and Pokémon Gold & Silver, Wizards of the Coast ushered in Pokémon’s Neo era with the release of Neo Genesis. Featuring 60 new Pokémon from the Johto region, Neo Genesis offered the first cards of Gen II’s beloved starters and several series staples. However, with its stunning Cosmos Holofoil, devastating Elemental Blast attack, and reputation as the latest Legendary Pokémon, Lugia’s debut issue quickly became the set’s must-have card. Because children still comprised Pokémon’s primary audience at the set’s release, many Lugia cards suffered wear and tear as kids passed them around on playgrounds or battled in basements with their friends. In addition, the card’s white background color also makes it more susceptible to showing any scratches or defects, making this one of the toughest cards to find in a 10 grade. But with its stunning color, clean surfaces, and whiting-free corners, this BGS 10 example with MBA Diamond certification represents one of the few Lugia holos to survive in Pristine condition. To date, Beckett has graded 1,265 examples of this card, with this one of only four to earn a BGS 10 grade. So, make sure to have a Silver Wing handy. As with Lugia in the games, collectors may get only one chance to catch this legendary card. The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 09/03/2024.