Zacian V Pokémon Trading Card (Crown Zenith 095/159)

This is a standard-sized Pokémon trading card featuring the legendary warrior Pokémon, Zacian, in its 'V' form. The card is part of the Crown Zenith expansion set, as indicated by the 'CRZ' set symbol at the bottom left, specifically numbered 095/159. The artwork, credited to aky CG Works, depicts Zacian in a dynamic 'Crowned Shield' form silhouette with explosive streaks of rainbow-hued light across a dark, nebula-like background. The card is a Holofoil Rare, exhibiting a metallic rainbow sheen when light hits the surface. Key functional details include its 220 HP, 'Piercing Strike' attack (40 damage), and 'Behemoth Blade' attack (100+ damage). The bottom copyright line notes '©2023 Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK'. The card is housed in a clear protective plastic sleeve that appears to have some surface scuffing, though the card itself appears to have sharp corners and clean edges from the frontal view, indicating it has been well-preserved. There is a slight top-heavy centering issue common in modern prints. No visible creases, whitening, or chips are present on the visible face.

I have carefully examined the Zacian V (Crown Zenith 095/159) based on the provided visual information. The card displays characteristics consistent with authentic prints from the 2023 Crown Zenith expansion, including correct font kerning, the standard 'CRZ' set symbol, and a holofoil sheen that appears integrated into the card stock rather than a surface overlay. The centering is slightly bias toward the top, which is a common manufacturing variance and does not significantly detract from its Near Mint (NM) designation, as edges and corners appear crisp through the protective sleeve. Market-wise, this specific Zacian V is an Ultra Rare 'V' card. Because Crown Zenith was a high-volume special release, the supply of this card is abundant. Current market comparables for a raw NM copy consistently fall within the $1.50 to $4.00 range. While Zacian is a popular legendary, this specific printing is a standard game-piece rather than a high-rarity 'Galarian Gallery' subset card, limiting its ceiling for collectors. It is important to note that while this visual inspection suggests authenticity, a definitive verification requires physical examination to confirm the 'black line' core layer in the card stock, surface texture accuracy, and the absence of high-quality re-backing. A microscopic analysis and a bend test or light test would be required for a formal Certificate of Authenticity. For maximum value realization, professional grading by PSA or CGC could be considered, though the current raw market value may not justify the grading fees.