DESCRIPTION:

Pikachu, 60 HP, Lightning type, Basic Pokemon. Illustrated by Keiji Kinebuchi. Grey Star promotional print, English text on glossy Japanese card stock. Copyright line reads 1995, 96, 98, 99 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK, 1999 Wizards.

Attacks: Growl and Thundershock for 20. Weakness Fighting, retreat cost 1. Widely known to collectors as Ivy Pikachu because of the leaf-covered artwork.

This is the Grey Star variant, an English print produced on glossy Japanese stock and released only in Japan. It was distributed as a two-card insert alongside Jigglypuff in the Spring 1999 issue of Hyper CoroCoro, released on 1 March 1999. It is distinguished from the standard Wizards Black Star Promo by the grey promo star to the right of the Pokedex bar, and it is considerably harder to find outside Japan than the common English promo it resembles.

CONDITION: MP to HP (Moderately Played to Heavily Played). Please read the below in full and study the photos.

FRONT: really clean. The surface is bright and sharp with no scratching, no scuffing and no print marks. Colours are strong throughout and the card presents beautifully face up.

There does appear to be a very slight crease on the front. It is faint, it is not visible from the back, and it does not catch the eye at normal viewing distance, but it is there and I would rather over-declare it than under-declare it. This is the main reason for the lower grade and the lower price. Additional close-up photos are included and I am happy to take more on request.

BACK: whitening is quite heavy on the reverse, running along the edges with wear at the corners. Please see photos.

A great binder copy for the money. Front-facing in a sleeve or a binder page this displays as a much better card than the grade indicates, and it is a realistic way to add the Japanese Grey Star Ivy Pikachu to a collection without near-mint pricing.

Sold as pictured. Photos form part of the description. Shipped in a penny sleeve and toploader inside a rigid mailer.