Depends on your definition of modern and whether it changes over time, if you’re trying to split the entire TCG into a “vintage” and “modern” dichotomy, etc.
I partly agree with this post from another thread on the topic, which divided the TCG into three eras:
However, I’d alter the timings a bit.
Vintage: 1997-2010 (Base-HGSS)
- Aside from the WOTC-era boom, I feel like interest in Pokemon, print numbers, and card style was fairly consistent during this era. You had your half-art chase holos, cosmos foil, standard card design changes over time but nothing shocking.
Modern: 2011-2016 (BW-XY)
- The introduction of textured Full Arts is such a radical shift and defines the BW/XY eras. Print numbers also seemed to go up in this era, especially with the PRC-on era of XY. Remember Primal Clash boxes were under $100 until 2020. However, in hindsight, it’s clear this era is vastly different to our ultra-modern present.
Ultra Modern: 2017-present (SM-SV)
- What distinguishes Ultra Modern from Modern imo is the print numbers. As we just saw, 2017 is the start of an exponential increase in total print numbers. Pokemon went from about 1b cards per year prior to 2017 to around 1.5-2b cards per year from 2017-2019. Compared to today’s numbers that’s not a lot, but it’s still a 50-100% increase in production. 2020-present is where things really kick off, Pokemon has printed more cards in 2020-2024 than it has from 1996-2020. You could make a solid argument for excluding SM from SWSH and SV as ultra modern, but I think even if the print numbers aren’t there, it’s part of that era of massively increasing production.