1996 Pokémon Japanese Base Set Magikarp No.129 — No Rarity / First Print — ARS Grade 9
A beautiful graded example of Magikarp No.129 from the original 1996 Japanese Pokémon Card Game Expansion Pack, featuring the classic artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita.
This card is from the earliest Japanese print run and has no rarity symbol, commonly referred to by collectors as the “No Rarity” version.
Unlike later printings, there is no rarity mark in the lower-right area of the card, making this an important early-production variation from the very beginning of the Pokémon Card Game.
ARS Grade 9
This card has been professionally authenticated and graded ARS Grade 9 in Japan.
ARS holders are known for their thick, highly transparent presentation and elegant metal-style identification plate, giving the card a refined, display-oriented appearance. The holder presents this historic 1996 card almost like a framed collectible rather than simply a graded trading card.
ARS Certification No.: 236652167155
Official ARS Grading Report Included
The original ARS TCG Grading Report (鑑定書) is included with this listing.
The report identifies the card as:
The ARS grading report itself is also preserved in its protective holder.
Additional Mercari Authentication
There is another unusual provenance detail with this example.
After ARS grading, this card was purchased through Mercari Japan’s authentication service (あんしん鑑定) and successfully passed that authentication process.
The ARS holder remains sealed exactly as received after Mercari authentication, with the Mercari authentication seal still intact. It has not been opened by us since receiving it.
The original Mercari authentication documentation shown in the photos is also included.
Therefore, the set being offered consists of:
• ARS Grade 9 Magikarp No Rarity
• Official ARS TCG Grading Report / Certificate
• Mercari authentication documentation
• Mercari authentication seal preserved on the graded card packaging
Condition
Professionally graded ARS 9.
The graded card has remained inside its ARS holder, and the outer packaging has remained sealed with the Mercari authentication seal since it was received following authentication.
Because the Mercari seal has intentionally been preserved, we have not removed the ARS holder from this packaging for additional handling or photography.
Please carefully review all photographs for the exact condition of the holder, seal, grading report, and included materials.
Collector’s Note
This is a particularly attractive way to own one of the earliest Japanese Pokémon cards:
1996 original Japanese release + No Rarity first print + ARS Grade 9 + official ARS grading report + preserved Mercari authentication provenance.
The combination of the historic first-print card and ARS’s elegant presentation makes this an excellent display piece for a Japanese Base Set, No Rarity, vintage Pokémon, or early Pokémon TCG collection.
A small fish from the very beginning of Pokémon Card Game history — preserved nearly three decades later as an ARS 9 collector’s piece.
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