At the point of writing this article, there are over 9000 individual, unique English cards and over 6000 Japanese Pokémon cards. For anyone to know what each and every one of those are would be an incredible feat. With that being the case, identifying Pokémon cards is an incredibly useful thing to be able to do.
Even the most seasoned of collectors and traders get stumped and run across something that they haven’t seen before. Fortunately, there are a few ways to help you figure out what you are holding onto.
In this article we will cover some basic ways to identify your cards, common mistakes to look out for, what in the world to do if you have a card in another language, and much more!
How to Identify Pokémon Cards
Let’s start with a simple example. The card above has a few key identifiers that are on both old and new cards alike. These identifiers can help you figure out what Pokémon card you have and what it may be worth.
The Name
The name should be a relatively easy find for even the newest of Pokémon Card collectors. If it’s in a language that you can’t read or type out, then scroll further down on the page where I cover Identifying cards in different languages.
The good news is that every cards name will be in the same spot, regardless of the generation. The bad news is that the name will only get you a small amount of the way towards identifying your card. If we take the above example Nidoqueen, a quick google search will give us an image of more than 10 different cards with the same name.
So we’ve found the name. What’s next?
The Numbers
The number on the card is probably the single best way to find out what Pokémon card you’re holding onto. It is found along the bottom edge of the card and will typically have two numbers with a slash in between them.
In the card above, we can see that the number is 7/64. What this means is that this card is the 7th card in a set with 64 different cards.
If we make our way to Google with the name and number of your card, you will quickly be able to identify what exactly your holding onto.
The Symbol
While the numbers will typically work enough in identifying your Pokémon cards, the symbols are a great way to do an extra check. While images in modern cards don’t get re-used as much, there is a tremendous amount of overlap in the older sets.
Let’s look at an example where this might happen.
Let me start by saying that the above Pikachu has more than 10 other variations on top of those shown above. Some have red cheeks, some are 1st edition, some are shadowless, and the list goes on.
If we look at the three Pikachu’s above, we can see that all of them are incredibly similar. As a matter a fact, there are VERY few differences between them.
If we start with the left side Pikachu and the bottom Pikachu, we will see that they have the same name and image, but that their numbers at the bottom are different. Following this article then, you would be able to find which card you have based on those two factors.
If we look at the two Pikachu’s at the top of the image, we will find that they are nearly identical. The picture, the name, all the way down to the numbers at the bottom.
The only difference here is, you guessed it, the symbol. And that symbol in this case is the difference between a $2 and a $20 card. If you’re trying to figure out the values of your cards, check out my other article after finishing this one!
The Attacks
Now, the three identifying factors above should get you to identify just about every card you have. In a rare instance though, you may need one other identifying factor.
That last identifying factor then will typically be the attacks. Taking our example Nidoqueen above, we can search Nidoqueen card Boyfriends or Mega Punch and end up finding our card relatively quickly.
With these few identifying factors, you should be able to figure out what the vast majority of cards that you run across are!
How to Identify Pokémon Cards in Another Language
As stated at the beginning of the article, there are over 16,000 individual unique Pokémon cards if you include every language. And if you’re trying to identify your Pokémon card to see if it has any value, finding one in a different language certainly won’t make your search any easier.
Fortunately, the rules from earlier still apply, assuming the language is typable on your keyboard. If we look at the above example, we can actually still use the card “Name” and “Number” at the bottom. And doing that will give you the same result 99% of the time.
The only caveat to alternate language cards (outside of Japanese and English) is that they are far less common. That means that even if you identify your card, it may be far more difficult to figure out what it is worth.
If you speak English and have a Japanese card though, then let’s jump to the next section and figure out what to do in worst case scenario.
How to Identify Pokémon Cards In Another Language That I Don’t Know the Name Of
Now we’re in worst case scenario. You have a Pokémon card that’s in a different language, and you don’t know what the Pokémon is called.
I don’t blame you one bit. Pokémon has been running for 25 years and has 905 different Pokémon at this point.
Unfortunately, this will be tougher to figure out. That being said, there are still some basic searches that can help you identify your card.
Let’s say I don’t know the name of the Pokémon above (it’s Xatu by the way). If I head over to trusty old google and use our previous identifying factors, I can still end up getting to the card above.
In searching “Japanese Pokémon Card No 178”, I’ll actually get two different Xatu’s. By checking my picture with the card itself, I will find an Ebay and a Troll and Toad link that will tell me exactly what I’m holding onto.
How to Identify Sealed Pokémon Products
This particular topic actually applied to me recently. I picked up a Pokémon card binder and ran across this guy in the picture above. The back of the item had a standard Pokémon card back.
So without any of the previous identifying factors, I did a few searches based on what I could see. I started with “get in your zone sealed Pokémon card, which led me to people selling just the Blastoise cover card.
That search also led me to a Celebi Black Star Promo 50, which was curious but seemingly useful. So I went on over to Ebay and searched “sealed Celebi Black Star Promo 50”, which led me to figure out what it was.
This was actually a movie promo card that was still sealed from the original giveaway. It took a little bit of digging, but I was able to figure it out.
The reason I share that story is that you can follow the same steps to identify just about any items you have. Look at your item and search what you can see. You will likely end up finding something similar through Ebay.
Worst case, you head on over to the Reddits /PokemonCardValue subreddit, and a good samaritan will likely help you out.
Other Pokémon Card Differences to Keep An Eye Out For
This list will be far from exhaustive, but here are a few other useful marks and identifiers to keep an eye out for.
1st Edition Pokémon Cards
Of all of the unique factors to look at on Pokémon cards, the 1st edition stamp might be the one to check first. While only exclusive to vintage sets, they will certainly increase the value of your card from it’s original and depending on what you have, it can increase the value substantially.
Just take a look at the left side of your card and see if there is an “Edition 1” stamp as circled above.
Shadowless Pokémon Cards
While once again exclusive to the original sets, shadowless Pokémon cards are still highly sought after and something you should keep an eye out for.
In looking at the image above, we can see that the main difference in the two cards above is the dark shadow along the right edge of the picture. If you don’t see a dark shadow on your Base Set card, then congrats! Your card is shadowless.
W Stamp Pokémon Cards
The “W” Stamp Pokémon cards were a select number of cards that have a special stamp in the picture. There were only 7 cards from 6 sets that had this special mark. Keep an eye out to see if any of your cards have this unique identifier!
Prerelease Pokémon Cards
Prerelease cards have a similar stamp in a similar location to the “W” stamp and were added to sets as a means to test out cards before their release. There are a large number of cards that have this stamp and having this or not can change the value of the card that you own.
Other Unique Pokémon Card Features
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, there are a large number of variations on Pokémon cards. Some differences are very noticeable while others are quite subtle.
The key to identifying though is to search an image of the card you have and looking to see if anything looks out of the ordinary. If it does, search the obvious to see if you get a different card to show up.
An example of this would be the above. What’s the difference between the two? One has a gold border. Search “Gold Border Meowth” and viola, you have your card identified.
Summary
Hopefully this article helped you figure out what Pokémon cards you may be holding onto!
If you’re curious what your cards may be worth, check out my other article!
Curious about grading Pokémon cards? Look no further.
Want to make sure you don’t get caught in a Pokémon card scam? I cover quite a few here.
If I missed anything or if you have any comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]!
Thanks for reading!