When it comes to Pokémon cards, especially the old ones from the very first sets, collectors and investors are always searching for the rarest, most valuable cards. One of the most sought-after types is the Shadowless Pokémon card. These cards come from the earliest print runs of the Pokémon Base Set, released in 1999. The name “Shadowless” comes from the fact that the artwork on these cards does not have a shadow around the border, which is different from later printings. This small detail makes a big difference in value, especially if the card is in good condition or professionally graded.
But how many Shadowless Pokémon cards are still out there that have not been graded? That’s a question that many collectors ask, and the answer is not simple. There is no official count, no government agency keeping track of every single ungraded Shadowless card. Instead, experts and collectors have to make educated guesses based on sales data, auction records, and the number of cards that have been submitted to grading companies over the years.
First, it’s important to understand what grading means. Grading is when a professional company like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), Beckett, or CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) examines a card and gives it a score from 1 to 10, with 10 being perfect. A card that gets a high grade, especially a PSA 10, can be worth many times more than the same card in ungraded condition. For example, a Shadowless Charmander in ungraded Near Mint condition might sell for around $3 to $5, but a PSA 10 version can go for over $200, according to PriceCharting, which tracks sales data from eBay and other marketplaces (PriceCharting, 2025). The same is true for other Shadowless cards like Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur. The difference in value is huge, which is why so many collectors want to get their cards graded.
But not everyone does. Some people keep their cards in their original condition, either because they don’t want to spend the money on grading, or because they’re worried the card might not get a high score. Others might not even know that grading is an option. This means that there are still a lot of Shadowless cards out there that have never been sent to a grading company.
Estimates from experts suggest that the number of ungraded Shadowless cards is much higher than the number that have been graded. For example, in the case of the Shadowless Charizard, which is one of the most famous and valuable cards, only a small fraction of the total number of cards in existence have been graded. According to PSA’s own data, as of 2025, there are only about 1,000 PSA 10 graded Shadowless Charizards in the world (PSA Population Report, 2025). That sounds like a lot, but when you consider how many Shadowless Charizards were printed in the first place, it’s actually a tiny percentage.
The same pattern holds true for other Shadowless cards. For example, the Shadowless Blastoise, Shadowless Venusaur, and Shadowless Pikachu are all much more common in ungraded form than in graded form. The reason is simple: grading is expensive, and not every collector can afford to pay for it. Plus, some cards are in poor condition and wouldn’t get a high grade anyway, so there’s no point in submitting them.
Another factor to consider is that many Shadowless cards are still in private collections, hidden away in binders, boxes, or even attics. These cards are not for sale, and their owners may never decide to grade them. Some people just enjoy having the cards as part of their personal collection, not as investments. Others might be waiting for the right time to grade or sell, hoping that prices will go up in the future.
There are also medical reasons why some cards remain ungraded. For example, some collectors have health conditions that make it difficult for them to handle or send their cards to grading companies. Others may be dealing with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, which can make it hard to take action on things like grading or selling cards. In these cases, the cards may stay ungraded for years, or even decades. According to the American Psychological Association, stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on decision-making and motivation, which can affect how people manage their collections (APA, 2023).
It’s also worth noting that some collectors are elderly or have physical limitations that make it difficult to handle cards or fill out grading forms. In these cases, the cards may remain ungraded simply because the owner is unable to take the necessary steps. The National Institute on Aging has published research showing that older adults may face challenges with fine motor skills, memory, and technology use, all of which can make grading more difficult (NIA, 2024).
So, how many Shadowless Pokémon cards are left ungraded? The exact number is impossible to know, but experts agree that it’s in the tens of thousands, if not more. For every card that has been graded, there are probably several more that have not. The market for ungraded Shadowless cards is still active, with new sales happening every day on eBay, Facebook groups, and other platforms. Some collectors prefer to buy ungraded cards because they’re cheaper, and they can decide later whether to grade them or keep them as-is.
The value of ungraded Shadowless cards can vary widely depending on the card, the condition, and the current market demand. For example, a Shadowless Charizard in Near Mint condition might sell for $1,000 to $2,000 ungraded, but a PSA 10 version can go for $10,000 or more. The same is true for other rare Shadowless cards. The difference in value is a big incentive for collectors to get their cards graded, but not everyone does.
In recent years, the Pokémon card market has become more sophisticated, with online tools that track prices and sales data in real time. Websites like PriceCharting and PokeScope provide detailed information about card values, including the difference between graded and ungraded cards. These tools help collectors make informed decisions about whether to grade their cards or keep them ungraded.
The rise of professional grading has also led to a greater awareness of card condition and authenticity. Grading companies use strict standards to evaluate cards, looking at things like centering, corners, edges, and surface quality. A card that gets a high grade is guaranteed to be in excellent condition, which gives buyers more confidence when making a purchase. This has helped to increase the value of graded cards, but it has also made ungraded cards less desirable in some cases.
Despite all this, there are still many collectors who prefer ungraded cards. Some like the idea of owning a card in its original, untouched state. Others enjoy the challenge of finding rare cards in the wild, whether at garage sales, flea markets, or online auctions. For these collectors, the thrill of the hunt is just as important as the value of the card.
The number of ungraded Shadowless Pokémon cards is likely to decrease over time as more collectors decide to
