Wailord (Art Rare) - Pokémon TCG: Crown Zenith (GG14/GG70)

This is a standard-sized Pokemon Trading Card Game card featuring the character Wailord, part of the Galarian Gallery subset from the Crown Zenith expansion released in early 2023. The card showcases a full-art, borderless design with a distinct 'Art Rare' style, featuring a vertically oriented illustration of a Wailord floating under the ocean surface amidst a colorful coral reef. The color palette is vibrant, with deep blues for the whale and a rainbow of hues for the surrounding marine life. The card features a holographic finish with a vertical 'diagonal ray' pattern typical of modern secret rare cards. Key markings include the '240 HP' text at the top right, the 'Hydro Pump' attack text in the center, and the set identifier 'GG14/GG70' at the bottom left-hand corner alongside the illustrator mark for Katsunori Sato. The condition appears to be 'Near Mint' based on the visual inspection: the edges look crisp with no visible whitening, the surface shows no obvious scratches or factory print lines, and the centering seems relatively balanced between the left and right gray borders. The card is currently housed in a protective black-bordered sleeve, which has preserved its surface luster. Quality indicators include the high-resolution printing of the complex reef artwork and the crispness of the white text against the textured holographic background.

I have examined the digital image of the Wailord Art Rare (GG14/GG70) from the Crown Zenith expansion. Visually, the card displays high-quality printing consistent with authentic The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) production, specifically the distinct vertical holofoil 'sheen' and the intricate texture common to the Galarian Gallery. Centering appears slightly weighted toward the right, but within the acceptable tolerances for a 'Near Mint' (NM) designation. Edges and corners show no immediate signs of whitening or 'chipping' against the black sleeve contrast. From a market perspective, this card is part of a high-supply subset from a very popular 'special' set. Because Crown Zenith was printed in massive quantities, rarity is moderate rather than extreme. Current market comparables on platforms like TCGPlayer and eBay consistently show completed sales in the $3.50 to $6.00 range for raw NM copies. While the 'Art Rare' (alternatively 'Illustration Rare') style is highly collectible for its aesthetic appeal, it does not currently command a high premium unless graded as a PSA 10 or BGS 9.5/10. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on a high-resolution image. Digital photos can obscure surface issues such as micro-scratching, matte-finish 'fogging,' or subtle indentations. A full authentication would require a physical inspection under 10x magnification to examine the four-color rosette printing pattern and the core 'black line' layer of the cardstock. Verification of the holofoil’s 'light-play' is also necessary to rule out high-quality counterfeit proxies. For full valuation, I recommend physical inspection or submission to a third-party grading service.