On 1/31/2025 CGC posted a statement responding to the allegations that many of the Prototype / Playtest cards were inauthentic:
https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/13730/
This post included instructions and a tool to look up certification numbers to determine if your card was eligible to send in.
For those unfamiliar with how CGC’s cert numbers work, their certs have 2 parts. The first part (seen before the hyphen, “1401012551-”) is the “batch” number, while the second part (after the hyphen, “-001”) is the sequential number of the card within its grading batch. If you combine these two numbers (1401012551-001) and remove the hyphen, you have the cert number that is printed on the slab:
Thanks to E4 discord member @nikoreps who helped me pull the list, we know there are just over 1500 certs in this list. One would assume this list includes basically all the prototype or playtest cards, but it’s actually missing quite a few cards.
According to CGC’s instructions, if cards are not on the list, they are not eligible for review.
Use this service only for cards listed below. There is no charge for this service (and all shipping fees will be paid by CGC) if your card is on this list. Note: The “Online Waiver and Consent to Remove Collectibles from Holders” does NOT apply to cards submitted for Holder Review and has been removed. All cards submitted under Holder Review will be handled according to the CGC Guarantee.
For questions about submitting an eligible card for review, or if you believe you have an impacted card that is not on our list, please contact CGC Customer Service at Service@CGCcards.com or call, text or message us on WhatsApp using (+1) 855-GRADE10.
I wanted to see in total how much $ volume these cards had moved on public marketplaces, so I had been populating a spreadsheet with sold data by platform. Some platforms like Rare Candy were entirely accounted for, but others like Heritage and Goldin had more than half of their publicly sold prototypes missing from the list (again, huge thanks to @nikoreps for helping build this sheet and populating the data from CGC’s pop report):
Now, you might imagine that maybe they missed a few batches of cards when they compiled the list, but oddly enough it seems completely random when cards are in the list or not.
For example, the following certs are a full 26-card Alpha Prototype batch:
Cert # |
Card Name |
Version |
Front image |
Back image |
Grade |
Sold platform |
Sold date |
Sold Price |
Notes |
1401042270001 |
Exeggcute Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/84344e38-bbb8-4e38-968f-12e0b5f250c9/CSG1401042270-001_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/84344e38-bbb8-4e38-968f-12e0b5f250c9/CSG1401042270-001_REV@500x818.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,500.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270002 |
Koffing Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/8ec86002-061f-4843-9ad2-cf32507ab1fc/CSG1401042270-002_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/8ec86002-061f-4843-9ad2-cf32507ab1fc/CSG1401042270-002_REV@500x818.jpg |
8.5 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,750.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270005 |
Poliwhirl Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/b0801343-0f10-4a8e-8d05-dc715f090285/CSG1401042270-005_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/b0801343-0f10-4a8e-8d05-dc715f090285/CSG1401042270-005_REV@500x818.jpg |
8.5 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$4,000.00 |
Wasn’t on list, wrong grade |
1401042270006 |
Ekans Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/6b1b5ebd-9d80-4224-beb1-c6aa502d0918/CSG1401042270-006_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/6b1b5ebd-9d80-4224-beb1-c6aa502d0918/CSG1401042270-006_REV@500x818.jpg |
8.5 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$2,250.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270007 |
Metapod Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/f949875c-de64-451c-a22f-9753d47ec4e0/CSG1401042270-007_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/f949875c-de64-451c-a22f-9753d47ec4e0/CSG1401042270-007_REV@500x818.jpg |
GEM MINT 10 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,000.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270008 |
Doduo Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/24ddf84b-b0e6-4a95-bcbb-e3f6f5224bd2/CSG1401042270-008_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/24ddf84b-b0e6-4a95-bcbb-e3f6f5224bd2/CSG1401042270-008_REV@500x818.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,000.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270009 |
Shellder Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/b4fcc52c-28cf-4a14-9d0e-3c525fe2dd1a/CSG1401042270-009_OBV.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/b4fcc52c-28cf-4a14-9d0e-3c525fe2dd1a/CSG1401042270-009_REV.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,250.00 |
|
1401042270010 |
Gastly Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/234e554b-f8d3-44d2-9325-852b92740bb6/CSG1401042270-010_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/234e554b-f8d3-44d2-9325-852b92740bb6/CSG1401042270-010_REV@500x818.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$4,000.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270011 |
Psyduck Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/06b2a6ed-de23-43a2-b517-267aec9e695e/CSG1401042270-011_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/06b2a6ed-de23-43a2-b517-267aec9e695e/CSG1401042270-011_REV@500x818.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$5,250.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270013 |
Oddish Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/2521c9ed-8e40-4a7d-857e-0468e193ff73/CSG1401042270-013_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/2521c9ed-8e40-4a7d-857e-0468e193ff73/CSG1401042270-013_REV@500x818.jpg |
GEM MINT 10 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$4,250.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270016 |
Clefairy Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/dc881ea0-4ba6-4b98-a492-d565ef798ff6/CSG1401042270-016_OBV.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/dc881ea0-4ba6-4b98-a492-d565ef798ff6/CSG1401042270-016_REV.jpg |
GEM MINT 10 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$5,000.00 |
|
1401042270017 |
Weepinbell Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/439ac4a4-b12f-419d-93c3-6088ea89f63a/CSG1401042270-017_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/439ac4a4-b12f-419d-93c3-6088ea89f63a/CSG1401042270-017_REV@500x818.jpg |
8 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$2,250.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270018 |
Rattata Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/dd23c732-c7cf-40b6-9c5b-c21fc532c548/CSG1401042270-018_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/dd23c732-c7cf-40b6-9c5b-c21fc532c548/CSG1401042270-018_REV@500x818.jpg |
8.5 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$1,875.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270019 |
Pidgey Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/3a2626a8-c894-43eb-9779-e5321f48ba4a/CSG1401042270-019_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/3a2626a8-c894-43eb-9779-e5321f48ba4a/CSG1401042270-019_REV@500x818.jpg |
GEM MINT 10 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,750.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270020 |
Beedrill Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/774e3a01-9ae6-450d-81e4-e81bcbce19bb/CSG1401042270-020_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/774e3a01-9ae6-450d-81e4-e81bcbce19bb/CSG1401042270-020_REV@500x818.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$2,375.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270021 |
Onix Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/10f00df8-c114-45d1-a104-9a5c04a28178/CSG1401042270-021_OBV.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/10f00df8-c114-45d1-a104-9a5c04a28178/CSG1401042270-021_REV.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,500.00 |
|
1401042270023 |
Wartortle Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/1081f73d-1ae3-4941-acec-ad57088f359c/CSG1401042270-023_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/1081f73d-1ae3-4941-acec-ad57088f359c/CSG1401042270-023_REV@500x818.jpg |
8.5 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$4,250.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270024 |
Hypno Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/b3ca1c64-92cd-4104-9ea2-aba0f716ba13/CSG1401042270-024_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/b3ca1c64-92cd-4104-9ea2-aba0f716ba13/CSG1401042270-024_REV@500x818.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$3,875.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
1401042270025 |
Dratini Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/4292ded8-06bd-4b89-a761-9eadc7a08842/CSG1401042270-025_OBV.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/4292ded8-06bd-4b89-a761-9eadc7a08842/CSG1401042270-025_REV.jpg |
MINT+ 9.5 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$4,500.00 |
|
1401042270026 |
Pikachu Pokémon 1995 Japanese |
Alpha Prototype Mounted on Card |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/5a354cfa-d278-4c2d-862a-cdf53fa3ab95/CSG1401042270-026_OBV@500x818.jpg |
https://ccg-imaging-cgc-tradingcards-production.s3.amazonaws.com/5a354cfa-d278-4c2d-862a-cdf53fa3ab95/CSG1401042270-026_REV@500x818.jpg |
9 |
HA |
12/7/2024 |
$20,000.00 |
Wasn’t on list |
Of the 26 in this batch, only 4 cards (1401042270009, 1401042270016, 1401042270021, 1401042270025) are present in the review lookup:
If you try looking up one of the cards not in the list, for example 1401042270023 (Wartortle), you get no results
Now, one theory could be that the cards no longer eligible have already been flagged and are en-route back to CGC.
However, I don’t think that’s the case. For the Wartortle example I just cited, I am the owner of the card. It is sitting in my Fanatics Vault right now and I bought it from Heritage Auctions on 12/7/2024:
So it begs the question–why are so many publicly sold certs missing from the review tool, including those within the same batch? It would make the most sense that they just selected all certs of all the prototypes and playtests and just loaded them into the tool, but it seems like they were picked almost randomly.
tl;dr
I think many people will have to contact CGC before sending theirs in to get them eligible for review. Don’t just send in blindly, make sure they know that it’s a playtest/prototype being sent in for holder review even if it’s not an “eligible” card.
Fun bonus
Can you spot what’s wrong with this cert? https://www.cgccards.com/certlookup/1401042270005/