pokemon-set-archeology

name	pokemon-set-archeology
description	Use when classifying any Pokemon card by set, era, and rarity tier. The WOTC era, 1st Edition, and Shadowless designations drive 90%+ of value.

Pokemon Set Archeology

WOTC era (1999-2003) defines the high-end Pokemon market. 1st Edition + Shadowless are the gold standard.

The WOTC eras

1. Base Set (1999) — Shadowless and 1st Edition variants
2. Jungle (1999)
3. Fossil (1999)
4. Team Rocket (2000)
5. Neo Genesis through Neo Destiny (2000-2002)
6. Legendary Collection (2002)
7. Expedition / Aquapolis / Skyridge (2002-2003 — last WOTC)

2003+ shifted to Nintendo/TPCi. WOTC era commands 3-10× premium of equivalent post-WOTC.

1st Edition vs Shadowless vs Unlimited

Base Set print order:

1. 1st Edition Shadowless (rarest, ~50-100× Unlimited value at high grade)
2. Shadowless (no 1st Ed stamp, but Shadowless — ~5-15× Unlimited)
3. Unlimited (most common; Shadow under art frame)

Identify by: 1st Ed stamp on left side of art + 'Shadowless' = no drop-shadow under art frame.

Modern Pokemon hierarchy

Modern (2010+) tiers: Common → Uncommon → Rare → Holo Rare → Reverse Holo → Full Art → Alt Art → Rainbow Rare → Gold Rare → Special Illustration Rare (V/VMAX/VSTAR era).

Alt Arts and Special Illustration Rares command the highest modern premiums.

Where this fits in the X3 empire

Foundation for PokeFlipAI and all Pokemon-related agents.