How old is the oldest Pokémon card?

How Old is the Oldest Pokémon Card?

Pokémon has been a beloved franchise for decades, captivating children and adults alike with its endearing characters, captivating stories, and engaging card game. But have you ever wondered about the very first Pokémon card ever printed? In this article, we’ll take a fascinating journey through time to find the answer.

What We Know About the Original Cards

In 1996, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCG) was first released in Japan by Bandai, the legendary toy company. Bandai Carddass Pocket Monster "Green Version" cards, as they’re known, were initially sold in vending machines for around 300 yen apiece. These early cards showcased the iconic Pokémon we still love today, like Pikachu, Charizard, and Squirtle, and were incredibly popular. At the time, very little information about the creators and production of these first cards was available, as this was an experimental initiative to test the market demand for a trading card game.

The Uncover of the Oldest Cards

Thanks to researchers, collectors, and fan enthusiasm, the mystery behind these original cards has unraveled over the years. Online resources, archives, and card catalogues have helped map out the first cards to come out of the block, giving us a clue as to how old is the oldest Pokémon card?. Below is a table depicting key information about the evolution of the PTCG’s early stages:

Card Evolution Timeline

• October 1996 – "Green Version" Pokémon Cards released in Japan

Here are the key stats related to these early green edition cards:

| | | Pokemon: | Pokemon: Green Pokémon: Charizard Card| Card Number: First |
| Card Number:

From the 1997/1998 Japanese editions,

• Pikachu Illustrator, Japanese promo cards, Booster, and starter decks follow these green version cards

Let’s get back in touch with these early sets
Pokémon Trading Cards Released
Booster Boost Card Packs: Booster |

How Old is the Oldest Pokémon Card?

When released in October 1996, these Bandai Pokémon cards became the start to the legendary Pokémon brand in Japan, and around November 1996 was printed the Pikachu Illustrator Card, that you know about.
At that point,
they are over 30-year-old!

Further Study

With the original sets in our hands

With these rare cards making news and getting attention