AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a collectible trading card from the Pokemon Trading Card Game, specifically the 'Dark Persian' card from the Team Rocket expansion set. The card features a distinctive yellow border, a silver-grey inner frame, and illustrative artwork by Shin-ichi Yoshida depicting a sleek, cougar-like feline creature in a rocky landscape. This specific specimen is identified as card number 42 out of 82 in the set. Notably, this is a '1st Edition' print, indicated by the black 'Edition 1' stamp on the left side, slightly below the artwork. The card displays a Stage 1 evolution status with 60 HP and a Colorless type. The physical condition, as viewed through a protective plastic binder sleeve, shows signs of light play or age; there is visible whitening and minor fraying on the top-right corner and edge, though the surface gloss remains largely intact. The 'Team Rocket' 'R' logo is present on the right-center of the card. Below the text box, copyright information for '1999-2000 Wizards' confirms its late-90s production era. The layout includes 'Fascinate' and 'Poison Claws' as moves, along with flavor text at the bottom. The printing quality is consistent with authentic Wizards of the Coast manufacturing from the turn of the millennium.

I have virtually examined this 1st Edition Dark Persian (42/82) from the 2000 Team Rocket expansion. This specimen is the non-holographic rare variant. My visual inspection confirms authentic Wizards of the Coast (WotC) typography, the correct '1st Edition' stamp font, and accurate color saturation for the era. The physical condition appears to be 'Lightly Played' (LP) to 'Excellent' (EX). While the surface retains good gloss, the visible whitening and minor fraying on the top-right corner and edges significantly preclude a 'Near Mint' or 'Gem Mint' designation. In the current market, WotC-era 1st Edition cards remain high in demand, though non-holo rares like this one command a fraction of the value seen in holographic counterparts like Dark Charizard or Dark Blastoise. Recent sales for raw 1st Edition Dark Persians in similar condition typically fall within the $40 to $70 range. Factors impacting value include the '1st Edition' status, which carries a 3x-4x premium over the 'Unlimited' print run. However, the condition flaws noted prevent it from being a prime candidate for professional grading (PSA/BGS) without a lower expected score. Limitations of this digital appraisal include the inability to inspect the card back for hidden surface scratches, micro-creasing, or 'inking' used to hide edge wear. A definitive authentication would require a physical examination to verify the 'light-test' transparency of the card stock and under-magnification inspection of the rosette printing pattern. No provenance was provided, which is standard for single trading cards of this tier.