Goldin Offers Rare Pokémon Test Prints and Promos Certified by CGC Cards

Test Print and Staff Promo cards from the Pokémon TCG are among dozens of rare trading cards certified by CGC Cards that are being offered in an ongoing Goldin auction. Bidding is already underway for the Fall Pop Culture Elite Auction, which is set to end on November 18, 2023.

Eleven Pokémon TCG Test Prints are offered in the sale, including this Blastoise, Pokémon (1999) Base Set Shadowless “Disco” Holo Test Print graded CGC 8 (lot 45). “Disco” holofoil cards were printed as Wizards of the Coast experimented with different holofoil patterns while localizing the Pokémon TCG. The Blastoise Test Print was printed on shadowless cardstock and lacks some details seen in the final prints of Base Set, including the image of Stage 1 Wartortle in the evolution box, energy and retreat costs, and weakness information. CGC Cards has graded a total of 15 Blastoise “Disco” Holo Test Prints according to the CGC Cards Population Report, with only five graded higher than a CGC 8.

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Other CGC-certified Pokémon Test Prints are being offered in the Goldin sale, including a Venusaur, Pokémon (1999) Base Set Cosmos Holo Test Print graded CGC 8.5 (lot 51) and a Zapdos, Pokémon (1999) Base Set Shadowless “Disco” Holo Test Print graded CGC 8 (lot 49).

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Additionally, the auction features many exclusive promo Pokémon cards, including this Tropical Wind, Pokémon (2004) Black Star Promo – 026 World Championships Staff graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 59). Tropical Wind was originally given to participants of the 2004 Pokémon TCG World Championships tournament. However, some staff members also received the card, with this version adorned with a special “STAFF” stamp underneath the card’s flavor text. These Staff promo cards are much rarer than their participation award counterparts. CGC Cards has graded six examples of the 2004 Tropical Wind Staff Promo, according to the CGC Cards Population Report, with one graded higher.

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Other CGC-certified cards in the auction include:

• a Mewtwo, Pokémon (1999) Base Set Shadowless “Disco” Holo Test Print graded CGC 8 (lot 50)
• a Raichu, Pokémon (1999) Shadowless Base Set “Disco” Holo Test Print graded CGC 8 (lot 48)
• a Lugia, Pokémon (2000) Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 301)
• a Tropical Wind, Pokémon (2004) Japanese Unnumbered World Championships Promo graded CGC 9.5 (lot 405)
• a Champions Festival, Pokémon (2017) Black Star Promo – SM78 World Championships Finalist graded CGC 9 (lot 67)

Note: At the time some of these cards were graded, they were encapsulated with the original CGC Cards label. Starting July 11, 2023, CGC Cards began encapsulating cards with the new CGC Cards label. In addition to the new label, collectors enjoy many other benefits with CGC Cards, such as the ability to submit without purchasing a membership and an industry-standard Gem Mint 10 Grading Scale. For more information, go here.