About Pokemon (Base Set)
Known simply as the "Base Set", this series of 102 cards published by Wizards of the Coast back in 1999 features characters and situations based on the original Pokemon video game franchise.
In the world of Pokemon, players take on the role of a "Trainer" and use creatures of varying power levels, size and skill to complete against one another in combat. In the broadest terms possible, Trainers create a deck comprised of no more than 60 cards (per the Rules of the game) by which they compete against other Trainers by playing cards from the deck against the opposing Pokemon Trainer that have varied effects on gameplay. Each card in the set features a different Pokemon character, effect or game mechanic manipulator that, when combined, determine the overall outcome of the fight. In most gameplay scenarios, when one Trainer reduces the health of the opposing Trainer's Pokemon in play to 0, the battle is considered over and the Trainer still standing is considered the superior Trainer and on their way to becoming a full-fledged "Pokemon Master!"
Players could purchase a themed, ready to play 60-card Pokemon deck or build their own 60-card deck using packs called "Boosters" that included 11 random Pokemon cards. Each card pulled from these boosters feature a varied degree of rarity based on tiny black symbols found on the bottom right corner of each card: a black circle for a common card, a black diamond for an uncommon card and a black star for a rare. An 11-card Base Set Booster pack will contain 7 common cards, 3 uncommon cards and 1 rare card. To further play into the collectability of the cards, each card in the set is determined by a horizontal fraction found on the bottom of each card next to the rarity symbol: with the left number denoting the number in the set beside the number 102, which is the number of cards in the Base Set. For example, if your card reads "24/102", you are the proud steward of a Pokemon called Charmeleon!
The 1999 Base Set of Pokemon consists of 102 cards not including variations. To expand on the collectable nature of the Pokemon Base Set, the intitial run of Pokemon Base Set will include a "1st Edition" symbol on the middle of the left side of the card. Cards missing this symbol are still considered to be part of the Base Set but are called "Unlimited" since the 1st Editions were only published for the initial set's release. Some Base Set collections might be made up of a combination of 1st Edition cards and Unlimited but value of these cards will vary as 1st Editions are considered more valuable on the secondary market than Unlimited in almost all cases depending on condition.
Collector's Note: There are 1st Edition Base Set cards called "Shadowless" cards that are highly sought after by Base Set Completists. "Shadowless" refers to the shadow effect missing from the right side of the artwork featured on each card as well as the thinner font and extra "99" copyright year found on the bottom of the card. All 1st Edition cards are considered "Shadowless" with the exception of card #8/102 (Machamp) that has a non-shadowless 1st Edition card, most likely to the fact the card was included in a 2-player starter set. As for the "Unlimited" versions, there are "Shadowless" and "non-Shadowless" variations of every card in the Base Set with the exception of the aforementioned #08/102 card which did not have an "Unlimited" release.
Whether you are a new or long-time collector, like everything else, it is always recommended to conduct your own additional research on Pokemon cards including how to grade Pokemon cards as well as identifying counterfeits. If there's something here we did not cover, we encourage you to expand on the information shown here with your own details to help other Players and Collectors of Pokemon.