Nah, just my grandmaw’s basement.
People were pooh-poohing CGC for slabbing the pre release (ugh must me fake because it’s CGC). Then PSA randomly decided to slab one and hey presto!
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Not directing that at you, just an observation
Very boring? It’s way more interesting. Doesn’t matter if it’s NFC. We are in a hobby that mostly cares about uniqueness or rarity, in that context these are very “not” boring.
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I think the boring sentiment comes from if you take away the set symbol, they are basically the same card in terms of materials used and appearance.
There isn’t anything unique on either card.
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I think the general opinions and jabs at CGC on this thread are fair.
I love Base Set, I love the Cosmos holo pattern, and I’ve been supportive of CGC since they started grading cards, especially when they took the lead in grading cards PSA originally wouldn’t touch.
However, in my opinion, it would be better if these cards had an additional identifier beyond just “Test Print.”
That label alone feels a bit misleading, since, as others have pointed out, these weren’t intended for release and weren’t factory cut.
To me, that makes them feel inauthentic, and they’re not something I’d be excited about or want to own.
I’m still unsure how I fully feel about these cards being graded at all, but at the very least, I think a “Hand-Cut” designation would make things clearer.
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Not to derail this thread, but I think people are more than justified to be skeptical after getting burned to the tune of thousands of dollars over fake playtests. As frustrating as it is that PSA is slower to grade certain cards (Art Academy, anyone?), I’d prefer they take the more conservative stance than just slab anything they see.
Now, back on topic. These are ok to me, but I still prefer the Fossil Cosmos holos as well. In general though, NFC cards always sit a little weird with me. They’re an oddity (which ironically usually sparks my interest), but I generally prefer factory cut items. If they were only like $20, I’d probably grab one.
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I mean, there are loads of examples with or without one minor thing that amplifies or removes interest.
No Rarity Base Set - Japanese Base
Shadowless vs Unlimited
Or even really 1st Ed vs shadowless
Jungle Missing Symbol Vs Unlimited
Etc etc
The collectible world is literally built often on minutiae.
Calling it “boring” because it’s ‘basically a base 2 card without the stamp’ is so silly (yes, I understand it’s an opinion).
These cards are visually stunning and have some interesting lore around them…
Test prints, missing stamps for what reason?
Very collectible.
If they added “Not Factory Cut" would that satisfy you? I mean they are legit WOTC produce, and we’re clearly cut in a professional manner (I had heard that CGC cut them but I’m not sure if that’s correct).
Not sure why specifically the pokemon card community (or mainly efour to be honest) turn their noses up at very specific cards - in most other collecting areas they are fine with these types of things.
From what we saw with the Pre Release Raichu, I do believe if PSA agreed to slab these, efour would be more open to it for some reason.
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As a “test print” collector myself (great meme btw @Frosty.Puppy ) I have to agree with @Dyl that these are kinda boring and the CGC article is laughable at best.
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I think this is completely fair. There are plenty of examples in Pokemon where a single symbol changes the desirability of a card. The ironic thing is that the folks who say these cards are visually stunning also tend to turn their nose up at Base Set 2, and yet the two are visually (nearly) identical. It’s interesting how scarcity changes opinions so easily.
No, this is definitely not true. They were cut by a prominent card dealer - the same person who cut and graded the Make Ready Test Prints, Disco Test Prints, and numerous Akabane closet trophy cards. CGC does not professionally cut cards.
Anyway, you’re welcome to like these cards. I could not care less.
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yes they do
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Source? SB cut these at the same facility he cut the Make Ready Test prints, no?
There was speculation SB did it with CGC, but I cant find a source.
Sadly most people turn their nose up at B2.
I personally really like them, and at one point had a complete PSA 9 set and have ripped loads of heavy packs (grading 8-9s). They are very undervalued imo.
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I have a soft spot for B2 because I never cared for starlight/galaxy foil as much as cosmos. I also received a B2 box as a Christmas gift from a friend who’s dad worked at WOTC, so that was a special box opening for me. I still have some of my childhood hits. Even if it’s a reprint, it’s just part of history for me. It’s ok not to like it. I honestly would prefer it over LC (gasp) because as a kid the LC reverse holo looked like a vending machine sticker or something. It’s since grown on me, but I just remember how I felt at the time.
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Honestly, BS2 for me would have been so much better if they didn’t dilute it with the added Jungle reprints, and instead just reprinted it 1:1 as the original base set, swapping out the galaxy foils for cosmos, and adding the 2 stamp. Something about having the Jungle cards in there when its labeled “Base Set” just hits me the wrong way.
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It was an odd choice for sure.
They did it so that players could get the cards they needed for decks iirc, like modern end of years sets that reprint deck staples, like they’re doing in Pocket now as well
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That makes sense
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Are we back to low pop = price season?
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