The exact number of Shadowless Blastoise cards printed is not publicly documented by official sources, but it is widely understood among collectors and experts that the Shadowless Base Set cards, including Blastoise, were part of the early print runs of the original 1999 Pokémon Base Set. These Shadowless cards were printed in significantly smaller quantities than the Unlimited Base Set cards that followed, making them rarer and more valuable.
Shadowless cards are distinguished by the absence of a drop shadow on the right side of the Pokémon’s image, thinner and lighter red HP text, lighter yellow borders, and finer text details. This print run came after the First Edition but before the Unlimited print run, placing Shadowless cards in a middle scarcity tier—rarer than Unlimited but more common than First Edition cards[1].
While the exact print run numbers for Shadowless Blastoise are not officially released, estimates based on collector data and market availability suggest that the Shadowless Base Set cards were printed in the hundreds of thousands, but far fewer than the millions of Unlimited cards. For example, the First Edition Shadowless Charizard, a card from the same print run, is known to have had about 3,000 copies graded Gem Mint (PSA 10), indicating a relatively limited print run for these Shadowless cards[4][7].
Blastoise, being card number #2 in the Base Set, shares this rarity profile. It is known to be significantly rarer than the Unlimited version but more common than the First Edition Shadowless cards. The Shadowless Blastoise is highly sought after by collectors, with prices reflecting its scarcity and iconic status. For instance, a PSA 10 Shadowless Blastoise can fetch prices in the thousands of dollars, though exact sales vary depending on condition and market demand[2].
Additionally, there are extremely rare Blastoise-related cards such as the Blastoise Presentation Card, a prototype created by Wizards of the Coast in 1998 for potential English markets. Only two copies of this presentation card are known to exist, and it sold for around $360,000 in 2021, highlighting the extreme rarity of some Blastoise-related collectibles beyond the standard Shadowless print run[7].
In summary, while no official print run number for Shadowless Blastoise cards is publicly available, the card was part of the early Base Set Shadowless print run, which is rarer than Unlimited but more common than First Edition. The rarity and value of Shadowless Blastoise reflect its place in this limited early print run, making it a prized card among collectors. The scarcity is underscored by the fact that Shadowless cards are visually distinct and graded separately by professional grading companies, which helps maintain their premium status in the market[1][2][4][7].
