Pokemon Card Error & Misprint Guide

This list is to provide you with information on common errors from vintage sets. This is not a complete list and will be updated over time.

Base Set

Ink Bubble Ninetales

Notice the e in Ninetales is covered in an ink bubble.

No Damage Ninetales

Notice the 80 is missing on the right card (left is the correct version). Shadowless only variant found within Brushfire theme decks.

Evolution Box Error Wartortle

In the Stage 1 Box there should be a Squirtle. In this error there is a Wartortle. This has rarely been found in unlimited booster packs.

Heart Shaped Stamped Clefairy

Thought to be deliberately stamped during the printing process. This error has been rarely found in unlimited booster packs.

Black Dot Clefairy

Notice the large black print error next to Asleep in the Sing ability. This error is rarely found in unlimited booster packs.

Rainbow Error Dragonair

The rainbow slash mark over the word number within the Slam ability is only found on the Shadowless version.

Blue Butt Error Vulpix

This error is only found on certain copies of the card within 1st Edition and Shadowless packs.

Ghost Pikachu

Found very rarely in ZAP theme decks.

Sideways Fighting Energy Diglett

This is a common error often found in 2-Player Starter Decks.

Red Dot Error Blastoise

Directly above the energy symbol next to the ability Hydro Pump there is a red dot.

No Stage Error Blastoise

Directly above 100 HP the word stage is either completely covered or partially covered with an ink smear during production.

D. Fending Beedrill

Within the ability Poison Sting there is a period within Defending (D.efending). This error is rarely found in unlimited booster packs.

1st Edition Stamps: From left to right: Grey Stamp, Normal, Smeared Stamp, Reverse Stamp

Jungle

Missing Set Symbol

Rarely found in unlimited booster packs. Was corrected fairly quickly within the print run. An estimated 1 in 8 Jungle holos are missing the set symbol.

Scratch Error Pinsir

Rarely found in 1st Edition Jungle packs.

Jungle Magenta Error

Rarely found in 1st Edition Packs. This error can only be found on the reverse side of the non-holo version of the rares.

Venonat Line Error

This error is rarely found in 1st Edition Jungle packs on the Venonat.

d. 1st Edition Error

Most commonly found on the butterfree. However, it has been found very rarely on other 1st Edition Jungle cards.

Snorlax Yellow Ink Smear

A yellow ink smear in uncommonly found on Snorlax cards within Jungle Unlimited packs.

1st Edition Ivy Pikachu

There is a lot of speculation on if this card was accidently put into circulation in 1st Edition Jungle packs or if it is considered the first Secret Rare. The speculation on the secret rare is due to a prototype 1st Edition Jungle blister pack that states "Capture the Rare Pikachu, Look inside the Wrapper! (see below)" It is extremely rare and only found in 1st Edition Jungle packs.

Jungle 1st Edition Blister Prototype

Extremely rare as it did not make it into the market.