Digimon Digi-Battle Trading Card - MetalGarurumon (St-85)

This is a vintage trading card from the Digimon Digi-Battle Card Game, specifically featuring the character MetalGarurumon. The card is labeled with index number St-85 and identifies the character as a 'Mega Level' Android Digimon. Physically, the card is printed on standard flexible cardstock with a glossy finish. It features a blue holographic or prismatic border typical of rare 'starlight' or foil parallels from the early 2000s Bandai sets. The central artwork depicts the robotic wolf-like creature in shades of blue, gray, and yellow with prominent red claws, set against a grid-like digital background. Text elements include attack names 'Metal Wolf Claw' and 'Metal Slamming Attack' with power values of 550 and 530 respectively. The bottom of the card bears copyrights for 'Akiyoshi Hongo - Toei Animation' and '2000 BANDAI'. Regarding condition, the card appears to be in light-play to good condition; while the front surface remains vibrant, there is visible edge wear (whitening) concentrated along the top right corner and bottom left edge. The corners show slight softening, which is common for an item of this age. This card is a nostalgic artifact of the late 1990s/early 2000s digital monster craze and represents a high-rarity tier within the original American release of the game.

I have conducted a visual examination of the Digimon Digi-Battle St-85 MetalGarurumon 'Starlight' Holofoil card. Based on the 2000 Bandai copyright and the specific prismatic foil patterning, the card appears authentic. MetalGarurumon remains one of the most iconic characters from the 'Digimon Adventure' anime, ensuring consistent demand from nostalgic collectors and 'set-finishers.' The St-85 index indicates this is from the Starter Series, which is more common than later booster expansions, but the holographic variant carries a significant premium over the non-foil version. Condition-wise, I observe 'Light Play' (LP) characteristics. The central artwork is vibrant, but the visible whitening on the top-right corner and softening of the bottom edges prevent a 'Near Mint' or 'Gem Mint' designation. In the current market, collectors value technical perfection; while high-grade PSA 9 or 10 copies can fetch upwards of $300, uncertified copies with moderate edge wear typically trade in the sub-$100 range. Limitations: My assessment is based solely on digital imagery. Verification of surface scratches (only visible under angled light) and the 'bend test' or light-transparency test to confirm paper stock density cannot be performed remotely. A physical inspection is required to rule out high-quality modern proxies. For full authentication and to reach the upper echelon of market value, I recommend professional grading through PSA or BGS to verify the card's integrity and structural preservation.