Blastoise - Expansion Pack (Japanese Base Set) Holofoil [No. 009]

Name: Blastoise - Expansion Pack (Japanese Base Set) Holofoil [No. 009]
Brand: The Collector
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Japanese Base Set Blastoise holofoil trading card inside a plastic top-loader protector, showing front and back views. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$150 - $350

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

BLASTOISE - EXPANSION PACK (JAPANESE BASE SET) HOLOFOIL [NO. 009]: IDENTIFICATION

A Japanese first-generation holofoil trading card featuring Blastoise (Kamex), characterized by the 'Starball' holo pattern unique to early Japanese releases. The card displays the original Ken Sugimori stock art and features the classic 'Rain Dance' (Amagoi) Pokemon Power and 'Hydro Pump' attack. The card back features the original 'Pocket Monsters Card Game' design with the green-leaf logo, confirming it precedes the international 'Pokémon' rebranding.

Compare with other trading cards in the archive: Raticate - XY Evolutions (Common), Sandshrew - Base Set (Common), Smeargle - Super-Blazing Shock (Uncommon) [SM8-070/095].

SET RELEASE & PRINT RUN

Released in October 1996 as part of the initial 'Expansion Pack' (Japanese Base Set), this card represents the debut of the TCG. Unlike the English Base Set released by Wizards of the Coast in 1999, which used a 102-card set list, this Japanese original version lacked rarity symbols for many of its first-print 'No Rarity' variants; however, this specific specimen includes the blue rarity star in the bottom right, identifying it as a standard print from the 1996-1998 production window.

COLLECTOR INTEL

The 'Pocket Monsters' back design seen here was retired globally in 2001, making cards with this reverse side a definitive marker of the early Japanese era.

SCARCITY

Scarce80-90%

CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Rarity 6/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 40 trading cards items at rarity 6 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Dozens per year at market
Documented provenance valued
Active collector pursuit

Confidence Factors

Correct cosmos/starball holo pattern consistent with 1996 Japanese manufacturing
Proper font kerning and color saturation on the reverse side graphic
Authentic 'Pocket Monsters' card back layout

How does authenticity detection work?

GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE

Trading Card Market Analyst

Card Specialist

Identification is definitive based on visible set markers, artwork, and card back. Grade estimate is tempered by visible edge whitening on the reverse side.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Presence of rarity star indicates standard Japanese Base Set rather than 'No Rarity' error
2Japanese-language text and No. 009 set numbering
3Original green-logo card back used from 1996-2001
4Ken Sugimori's signature watercolor-style shading on the Blastoise sprite

UNCERTAINTIES

•Edge wear on the reverse reduces the specimen to Excellent level rather than Mint

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Remove from top-loader to check for surface scratches or 'micro-creases'
→Examine holo foil under angled light for 'print lines' common in early Japanese sets
→Check for 'swirl' patterns in the holofoil, which can command a small collector premium

CONDITION & GRADE

PSA 6-7

Grading breakdown

Front centering is approximately 40/60 left-to-right. Notable silvering and whitening on the back edges prevent a Near-Mint designation.

Condition

Visible whitening and edge wear are present on the reverse top-left and right edges. The front surface appears relatively clean, though the centering is slightly biased toward the right border.

TRADING CARD MARKET VALUE

$150 - $350

Updated: May 10, 2026

Who buys this

Nostalgia-driven collectors focusing on 'Big Three' (Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur) starters and Japanese set purists.

What increases value

•High demand for original 1996-era starters
•Clean front surface aesthetics
•Japanese vintage market currently shows high volume according to eBay Sold data 2024

What lowers value

•Reverse edge whitening significantly lowers the ceiling for professional grading
•Japanese versions generally trade at a lower price point than English Shadowless or 1st Edition equivalents