Charizard 025/185 - Vivid Voltage Theme Deck Non-Holo Rare

This is a Stage 2 Charizard Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) card from the Sword & Shield: Vivid Voltage expansion, released in 2020. The card features artwork by Ryuta Fuse, depicting the iconic fire dragon-like Pokémon breathing fire alongside the trainer Leon. The physical construction is standard cardstock with a yellow border. Notable markings include the set symbol (a stylized lightning bolt/shield), the card number 025/185, and various gameplay text including the 'Battle Sense' ability and 'Royal Blaze' attack. This specific version is a non-holographic print, typically found in pre-constructed theme decks. The card is currently housed in a plastic protective binder sleeve. Visible condition assessment through the sleeve shows relatively sharp corners and clean edges, though there is a noticeable circular glare light reflection on the left side of the artwork and text panel. The centering appears slightly heavy toward the left and bottom margins. Overall, the print quality shows the vibrant reds and oranges characteristic of the Fire-type card design, with no obvious surface scratches or creases visible through the protective layer.

I have examined the digital representation of the Stage 2 Charizard (025/185) from the Vivid Voltage expansion. This specific specimen is identified as the non-holographic variant, notably distributed via the Leon Theme Deck. My visual assessment confirms the card appears to be in Near Mint (NM) condition, characterized by crisp corners and lack of surface wear. However, I observed a minor centering bias toward the left and bottom margins, which is common for this mass-produced print run but prevents it from achieving a 'Gem Mint' premium. Market demand for Charizard remains high due to character popularity, but the non-holo rarity is the most common version of this artwork, limiting its scarcity value compared to the 'Staff' or 'Prerelease' holofoil versions. Current market comparables for raw, non-holo copies consistently fall within the low single-digit range. Regarding authenticity, the font kerning, energy symbols, and color saturation appear consistent with genuine Sword & Shield era production. Factors such as the 'Battle Sense' text alignment and the 2020 copyright footer match verified authentic specimens. However, a definitive authentication is impossible via photography alone. To provide a certified guarantee, I would require an in-person physical inspection to verify the 'Blue Core' cardstock layering, surface texture under 10x magnification, and a light-transparency test. Without physical handling, I cannot rule out high-quality modern proxies, though the low market value of this specific variant makes counterfeiting less common than for higher-value chase cards.