Pokemon Raichu 41/147 - Burning Shadows

This is a standard-sized Pokemon trading card featuring the character Raichu from the Sun & Moon: Burning Shadows expansion set, released in 2017. The card is a Stage 1 Lightning-type Pokemon with 110 HP and is identified by the collector number 41/147. The artwork, credited to illustrator Kagemaru Himeno, depicts Raichu engaged in battle against a Croagunk. Notable card features include the 'Evoshock' Ability and the 'Volt Tackle' attack which deals 130 damage. The card layout represents the Sun & Moon era design, characterized by its specific yellow border and lower-left placement of the set symbol (a black flame icon) and rarity star. Physically, the card appears to be in a protective plastic sleeve, which has preserved its surface from direct contact. The corners appear sharp and the edges show no immediate signs of whitening or chipping in the visible front view. The centering appears relatively balanced, though a precise appraisal would require viewing the reverse side and checking for micro-scratches under direct light. The printing quality is consistent with official The Pokemon Company international manufacturing standards.

I have examined the Raichu 41/147 from the Sun & Moon: Burning Shadows expansion. Based on a visual inspection of the provided image, the card appears to be in Near Mint (NM) condition. The corners are crisp, and the yellow borders exhibit no visible whitening or silvering. The centering is within acceptable margins for a standard production run. This specific card is a 'Rare' holo-variant; the artwork by Kagemaru Himeno remains vibrant under the protective sleeve. Authenticity indicators, such as the font kerning, energy symbol alignment, and set icon (the black flame), are consistent with genuine TPCi prints from 2017. From a market perspective, this card is common within the modern era. Burning Shadows was heavily printed, and Raichu 41/147 is not a 'Chase' card like the Rainbow Rare Charizard GX from the same set. Current market comparables for a raw NM copy typically range from $1.00 to $3.00, with a slight premium for specimens with exceptional centering. Demand is driven primarily by character collectors rather than competitive players. It is important to note that a definitive determination of authenticity and grade cannot be made from images alone. A physical examination is required to verify the 'light test' (core layers), surface texture under magnification to detect micro-scratching, and a review of the card's reverse side for edge wear. For full authentication, I recommend submitting the piece to a professional grading service (PSA, BGS, or CGC) or performing an in-person inspection to confirm the absence of sophisticated counterfeit printing patterns like those found on high-quality re-proxies.