Are 4th Print Charizards exclusive to English language Pokémon cards? No, they are not. The term “4th Print” refers to a specific printing mark on certain early Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, mainly from the Base Set, and while it’s most famously linked to English versions, Japanese cards from the same era used different printing indicators that collectors sometimes compare to it in numbering.
Let’s break this down step by step so it’s easy to follow, like chatting about your favorite cards over a game. First off, what even is a 4th Print Charizard? In the world of Pokémon TCG, the original Base Set released in 1996 in Japan and 1999 in English had multiple print runs to meet huge demand. Each print run got a little black symbol in the bottom left corner of the card, near the artist’s name. These symbols looked like tiny icons: a circle for 1st print, a triangle for 2nd, a diamond for 3rd, and a square for 4th. That square mark means it’s from the fourth batch of prints for that set. Charizard, the fiery dragon Pokémon that’s card number 4/102 in Base Set, is the king of these because it’s holographic, super rare, and everyone wants it. Prices for a near mint 4th print Charizard hover around $400 to $500 ungraded, jumping way up if graded high by places like PSA[3].
Now, the big question: is this 4th print thing only on English cards? Nope. It started in Japan. The very first Pokémon cards came out there in October 1996 with the Base Set, called “Expansion Pack” or “Beta” in some circles. Japanese prints used similar symbols but in a sequence tied to their production waves. Early Japanese Charizards had print marks too, though they weren’t always numbered exactly like 1-2-3-4. Collectors call the Japanese equivalents “1st edition” or “promo prints,” but the square-like 4th print style showed up in their runs as well. For example, the Japanese Beta Presentation Charizard, an ultra-rare early version with watercolor art by Ken Sugimori, traces back to those pre-October 1996 prints and sold for $99,000 in September 2024[1]. It’s not labeled “4th print” in English terms, but the print run concept is the same—multiple batches with identifiers.
English cards copied this system directly when Wizards of the Coast brought Pokémon TCG to the West in 1999. Their Base Set 4/102 Charizard with the square mark became iconic because English prints stretched longer due to massive hype. By the 4th print, the cards had tweaks like better centering or fixed print errors from earlier runs, making them slightly more refined. Shadowless versions (no shadow on the art border) often pair with these prints too, and a 1st Edition Shadowless 4th print Charizard can fetch over £4,000 in near mint condition as of July 2025[2]. But here’s the key: Japanese cards never stopped using print marks entirely. Later sets like Neo Destiny or Mysterious Mountains had their own rarity codes, and some e-cards like Holo Crystal Charizard from Japan (with English equivalent in Skyridge) used unique foils that echoed print scarcity[1].
Why do people think 4th prints are English-only? It’s mostly collector lingo. Online forums, price guides like PriceCharting, and auction sites focus heavily on English Base Set because that’s what exploded globally. English 4th print Charizards are easier to spot with that exact square symbol, and they’re printed in English text obviously. Japanese cards say things like “Charizard” in katakana (リザードン) and have different borders or holo patterns. A Japanese 4th-equivalent might not have the square but a circled number or star, depending on the set. For instance, Topps Chrome Charizard Tekno #06 from later promo lines had ultra-rare pull rates across languages, but it’s not Base Set[1]. So, exclusivity? Not really—it’s more about regional printing styles. You can find Japanese Charizards with late-print marks that match the scarcity of a 4th print English one, like those from the Wizards era before Pokémon Company took over[1].
Diving deeper into history helps. Pokémon TCG launched in Japan first, with Base Set prints ramping up fast. By the time English hit, Wizards used the same factory vibes, hence identical symbols. But Japanese sets evolved quicker—think Shining Charizard from Neo Destiny in 2000, a black shiny holo that pulls huge value regardless of print number[1]. English 4th prints stopped after Base Set mostly, as later sets ditched the symbols for black stars or circles indicating rarity instead. Japanese kept innovating with e-reader cards and crystal holos exclusive to their market until Skyridge wrapped the Wizards run[1].
Value-wise, does language lock in exclusivity? English 4th print Charizards dominate auctions because of Western demand. A PSA 10 English Base Set Charizard #4 recently hit $10,100[3], while Japanese betas go even higher at $99k[1]. But non-English versions exist aplenty. German, French, or Italian Base Set Charizards? They have print marks too, mirroring English ones since printing was centralized early on. A French 4th print Charizard exists, square and all, just with localized text. Rarity scales with print run length—4th prints were more common than 1st, so they’re less “exclusive” in supply but still hot for nostalgia.
Spotting a real 4th print Charizard takes practice. Look bottom left: square symbol, no drop shadow on border for shadowless, and crisp holo without scratches. Fakes flood the market, especially reprints from Celebrations sets mimicking classics—Charizard 4/102 from 2021 Celebrations sold graded for $400-$450 recently[4]. Always check graders like CGC or PSA; a NM 8 Japanese Beta went big[1]. Japanese cards often have sharper art or different energy costs, like the Beta’s four-energy Firespin before rules changed[1].
Beyond Base Set, “4th print” vibes pop up elsewhere. Crystal Charizard from Mysterious Mountains (Japanese) or Skyride (English) was a one-and-done e-card rarity, scanning for games—last of its kind, valued at $40,800 max[1]. Not numbered 4th, but exclusive in print feel. Modern stuff like Celebrations reprints nods to it but isn’t true 4th print[4].
Collectors chase these for stories, not just cash. A 4th print English Charizard might sit in your binder as a daily driver from kid days, while a Japanese one whispers ancient origins. They’re not locked to English—global prints shared the system. Hunt eBay sold listings or TCGPlayer for comps: English NM #4 at $462 as of December 2025[3], shadowless variants higher[2]. Japanese? Dive into Fanatics auctions for betas[1].
Gradin
