Squirtle Team Rocket 1st Edition Shadowless Pokemon Card

This is a collectible Pokemon trading card featuring the character Squirtle, numbered 63/82 from the Team Rocket Expansion set. The card is a 1st Edition, as indicated by the 'Edition 1' stamp on the left side, slightly below the artwork frame. It features a distinctive shadowless design, characterized by the lack of a drop shadow to the right of the central character portrait and a thinner font style typical of early print runs (circa 1999-2000). The card measures approximately 2.5 by 3.5 inches and is printed on standard cardstock with a yellow border and a blue/water-themed background for the text area. The artwork, illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, depicts Squirtle on a purple rock blowing bubbles. The card is currently housed in a blue protective sleeve. Observational condition assessment shows slight whitening on the bottom right corner edge and some potential light surface wear. The centering appears slightly heavy towards the bottom and left borders. There are no visible creases or heavy scratches from this angle, though the surface gloss suggests it has been handled. The set symbol (an 'R') is visible on the center-right, confirming the Team Rocket set designation.

I have conducted a visual examination of the Squirtle 1st Edition card from the Team Rocket expansion. Regarding authenticity, the 'Edition 1' stamp alignment, font kerning, and color saturation appear consistent with WOTC production standards from 1999-2000. It is critical to note that 'Shadowless' is a designation strictly for Base Set prints; however, this Team Rocket 1st Edition displays the hallmark qualities of early printings, including thinner HP text and a lighter color palette. My condition assessment notes visible shelf wear on the reverse edges and corner whitening, which likely limits the grade to a 'Near Mint' (PSA 7) or 'Excellent-Near Mint' (PSA 6) equivalent. Centering is visibly biased toward the bottom and left, affecting its potential for a perfect technical grade. Market demand for Team Rocket 1st Edition commons remains high among set collectors, though Squirtle lacks the premium of the 'Big Three' starters. Recent comps for raw copies in similar condition reflect a range of $40-$70. Factors such as the 1st Edition mark significantly elevate the value over the unlimited version. Limitation Disclosure: This appraisal is based on digital images alone. A definitive determination of authenticity, detection of sophisticated re-backing, or identification of surface micro-scratches requires in-person examination under 10x magnification and UV light. For full verification, submission to a third-party grading service (PSA, CGC, or BGS) is recommended to confirm the surface integrity and lack of trimming.