The Base Set Unlimited of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, released in 1999, is one of the most iconic and widely collected sets in Pokémon history. Within this set, there exist certain cards known as “reverse print error” cards, which are printing anomalies where the card’s artwork and text are printed on the reverse side or have some form of misprint related to the card’s front and back orientation. These errors are rare and highly sought after by collectors due to their uniqueness and scarcity.
Regarding the exact number of Base Set Unlimited cards that exist with reverse print errors, there is no comprehensive official count publicly available. The rarity and distribution of these error cards are not systematically documented by the original publisher, Wizards of the Coast, or The Pokémon Company. Instead, collectors and experts rely on observed instances, auction records, and community reports to estimate their existence.
From available data and collector reports, reverse print errors in the Base Set Unlimited are known to occur sporadically across various cards, but they are not widespread across the entire set. Some individual cards, such as Arcanine #23, have documented cases of error prints, including reverse print errors, which have been sold and graded by professional services like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator). These error cards can command higher prices than their standard counterparts due to their rarity and novelty.
The Base Set Unlimited itself contains 102 cards, but only a small fraction of these have been found with reverse print errors. Estimates from collector communities suggest that the number of unique cards with confirmed reverse print errors is likely in the single digits or low double digits, but the total number of individual error cards in circulation is unknown and likely very limited.
Collectors interested in identifying reverse print errors should look for signs such as:
– The card’s front artwork or text appearing on the back side or vice versa.
– Misalignment of the card’s front and back printing.
– Differences in the card’s texture or glossiness due to printing anomalies.
Because these errors are printing defects, they are generally considered accidental and not intentional variations or promotional cards.
In terms of value, reverse print error cards from the Base Set Unlimited can vary widely depending on the card’s popularity, condition, and the rarity of the error itself. For example, an Arcanine #23 with a reverse print error graded at PSA 9 or 10 can fetch significantly higher prices than a standard version of the card. However, the market for error cards is niche, and prices fluctuate based on collector demand.
To summarize, while the exact number of Base Set Unlimited cards with reverse print errors is not definitively known, they are rare anomalies found on a limited number of cards within the 102-card set. Collectors value these errors for their uniqueness, and some individual cards with such errors have been documented and sold at premium prices. Due to the lack of official records, the best approach for collectors is to rely on expert grading services and community knowledge to identify and verify these error cards.
