How Many Base Set Shadowless Cards Exist With Double Borders

The Base Set Shadowless Pokémon cards are a specific subset of the original Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Base Set released in 1999. These cards are notable for lacking the shadow on the right side of the Pokémon image, which was present in later print runs, and they have a distinct border style. When discussing how many Base Set Shadowless cards exist with double borders, it is important to clarify what is meant by “double borders,” as this term is not commonly used in official Pokémon TCG terminology.

The Base Set Shadowless cards themselves number 102 cards in total, which includes 16 holographic cards and 86 non-holographic cards. These cards are characterized by the absence of the shadow on the right side of the Pokémon image box, a feature that distinguishes them from the later “Unlimited” Base Set cards. The “shadowless” designation refers specifically to this lack of shadow, not to the presence of double borders.

Regarding borders, the Base Set Shadowless cards have a single black border around the card image and text area, consistent with the original Base Set design. There is no official print run or known variant of Base Set Shadowless cards that features a “double border” in the sense of two distinct border lines around the card image or text. The term “double borders” might be a misunderstanding or a reference to certain printing anomalies or unofficial modifications, but it is not recognized as a standard or official characteristic of any Base Set Shadowless card.

The Base Set Shadowless cards are highly collectible due to their rarity and historical significance as some of the earliest Pokémon cards printed. They were produced in a limited quantity before the printing process was adjusted to include the shadow and other minor design changes. The total number of distinct Base Set Shadowless cards is 102, covering all the cards in the original Base Set without the shadow effect.

In summary, there are 102 Base Set Shadowless cards, but none officially recognized as having “double borders.” The shadowless feature is the key distinguishing factor, and the border style remains consistent with a single black border. Collectors seeking these cards focus on the shadowless attribute and the condition of the cards rather than any double border variation.

If “double borders” refers to a specific printing error or unofficial variant, such cards would be extremely rare and not part of the official Base Set Shadowless count. For authoritative information on Base Set Shadowless cards, sources such as the Pokémon Trading Card Game official set lists and reputable collector databases provide detailed card counts and descriptions. The Wikipedia page on Pokémon TCG sets confirms the existence of the 102-card Base Set Shadowless series but does not mention double borders as a feature[1]. PriceCharting and other collector sites also list the cards individually without reference to double borders[2].

No medical information is relevant to this topic, so no medical sources are necessary.