Blastoise (Pokémon)
Stage 2 Pokémon / Water Type Primary · Kanto / Evolutionary Line: Squirtle-Wartortle-Blastoise
Nintendo/Wizards of the Coast (WotC) – Expedition Base Set #37/165
Year & Era
2002 — E-Card / Expedition Era
Card Type
Rare Holofoil (Reverse Holo/Holo Variant)
Grade
4.0 (Very Good) - Estimated due to heavy digital text overlay and visible surface wear
Rarity
High - Expedition holos have lower populations than vintage Base Set cards.
Overall Assessment
A classic piece of TCG history misidentified as a football card; collectible but in damaged condition.
Condition Grade
4.0 (Very Good) - Estimated due to heavy digital text overlay and visible surface wear
Centering Assessment
Front: 60/40 Top-Bottom, slightly heavy on the bottom border.
Surface Condition
Poor. Major obstruction by digital text overlay; visible fine scratches on the holofoil pattern.
Corner Condition
Moderate wear visible; slight whitening appearing on bottom right corner.
Edge Condition
Reasonable; slight silvering and micro-chipping along the left e-reader border.
Print Quality
High - Known for the unique e-Reader dot code technology and vibrant holofoil.
Estimated Value
$40-$85 USD (Significantly lowered by digital text/image damage)
Comparison to Known Examples
Below average due to surface damage; most serious collectors seek clean e-reader borders.
Authentication Tips
Check for the dot-matrix print pattern in the e-reader code and the 'layering' of the holofoil.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading (PSA/CGC) due to digital image obstruction and surface wear.
Red Flags
The digital text overlay ('Yea...') makes this specific copy unsellable as a high-grade specimen.
Provenance Notes
Distributed in Expedition booster packs; last set produced in conjunction with WotC.
Historical Context
Significant as the first expansion of the e-Card era, allowing cards to be scanned by Game Boy Advance.
Market Trends
E-Reader era cards are currently appreciating faster than early 2000s football equivalents.
Investment Potential
Low for this specific copy due to interference; high for a Gem Mint 10 equivalent.
Similar Cards
Expedition Charizard #6/165, Expedition Venusaur #30/165.
Display & Preservation
Semi-rigid card saver or magnetic one-touch to prevent further holofoil curling.
Interesting Facts
This specific card features artwork by Kimiya Masago, known for a more realistic, painterly style.