Differentiating between earlier and later EX Series print runs

[zorloth]

(Credit to the @Nightvulture for the magenta layer analysis + the corresponding photos.)

So I was curious whether @Nightvulture’s analysis re: 1s Ed Base had any applicability outside of that set. And so I started looking at the backs of EX Series cards to see if any patterns stood out. There were actually several interesting features I noticed, but only one finding that I’m confident enough in rn to post about.

Background info:

In his article, @Nightvulture observes two different dot patterns in the back ‘N:’

The first pattern (straight vertical + horizontal arrangement) he refers to as -15. The second pattern (straight diagonal arrangement) he refers to as +15. I don’t totally understand the roots of this terminology, but I’m going to adopt it here for ease of cross-reference.

Ok, so here’s what I’ve observed:

100% of cards printed in the first 7 EX Series sets (Ruby through Team Rocket Returns) have +15 dot arrangements.

100% of cards printed in the last 7 EX Series sets (Unseen Forces through Power Keepers) have -15 dot arrangements.

And then the two sets in the middle (Deoxys and Emerald) have a mix–with some cards having -15 dot arrangements and others having +15 dot arrangements.

My question, based on these observations is…

Do you think that it’s a reasonable inference, based on what I’ve laid out here, that earlier print runs of EX Deoxys and EX Emerald (both of which were in print at overlapping times) had +15 dot arrangements, while later print runs had -15 dot arrangements?

Basically, my theory is that TPCi transitioned to a different print group or method at some point during the period where both EX Deoxys and EX Emerald were in print.

Which, based on the dot arrangements of other sets, would indicate that +15 EX Deoxys and EX Emerald cards are from earlier print runs of those sets whereas -15 EX Deoxys and EX Emerald cards are from later print runs of those sets.

Curious to hear others’ thoughts. Also very curious to see if anyone has examples of cards that contradict the conclusions I’ve drawn (e.g., cards from the first 7 EX Series sets with -15 dot arrangements and/or cards from the last 7 EX Series sets with +15 dot arrangements). Importantly: make sure to exclude cards that were reprinted in a later product (e.g., in the EX Battle Stadium decks)

And, again: tons of credit to @Nightvulture for many of the underlying observations/analysis.

[Nightvulture]

Just throwing it out there, i have not followed patterns past fossil much and i cant speak for how they may apply outside of those sets​:fire: lol

It’s my understanding that they may have gotten to a point where they were just printing paper and grabbing stuff out of the stash. That came from a source that I trust is very knowledgeable. He knew of the magenta layer before me tbh. I discovered it on my own though, and I think I’ve made a little bit more sense of it. I’ve seen the different variety on those later cards, but I haven’t separated them to really make sense of it. No idea if positive came first or last.

[Nightvulture]

@zorloth

And then the two sets in the middle (Deoxys and Emerald) have a mix–with some cards having -15 dot arrangements and others having +15 dot arrangements.

In what combinations are the transitions?
Front/back
-/+? +/-?

[zorloth]

Sorry–what do you mean by “transition?”

[Nightvulture]

The combinations of plus and minus, or are they strictly? -/- and +/+ in the sets that have both

The sets when it started to change

[zorloth]

Oh, I’ve just been determining + or - based on the back. I haven’t examined the fronts that closely. Is there a specific part of the front of the card I should look at to assess this?

[Nightvulture]

Anywhere you can see magenta, usually it shows well in the gold border. Don’t forget the front is half the card. Lol.

Belgium stuff has alot of +/-

[zorloth]

@Nightvulture

Don’t forget the front is half the card. Lol

Yes, but the pattern based on the backs alone is enough to make the inference, I think! But I agree that analysis of the front could be helpful.

So the fronts are a bit less clear to me which orientation they are. To make sure I’m using the terminology correctly: in your assessment, which orientation is each of these?

[Nightvulture]

Add a picture of all four cards together. Full frontal.

From top to bottom:
45
+15
45
-15

Thats interesting, japan printed on the borders in the old days, wotc didnt. Shows this was after they lost the rights lol

You should check the cardstock with a flashlight and see if theres big differences

[pikachutcg]

Hopefully these photos will help!

+15 will line up along a 115° angle and a 15° angle

-15 will line up along a 75° angle and a 345° angle

and 45 will line up at a 45° angle all around (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°, 360°)

[zorloth]

This is very helpful–thank you! I thought that was what nightvulture was referring to, but the visual is super useful to have.

Ultimately, though, I think the front dot arrangement analysis is actually kind of separate from the original observation. It’s an additional level of specificity, but doesn’t actually bear on the original observation that: (1) the first 7 EX sets are +15, (2) the middle 2 EX sets can be either +15 or -15, and (3) the final 7 EX sets are -15.

I don’t doubt, of course, that there’s more to be learned from looking at the front dot arrangements. The useful thing about the card back, though, is that its universal, which makes comparison much easier and more useful.

Also, @mods: I just realized there are two of this exact same thread. Maybe I accidentally posted it twice–sorry about that. Can someone merge the two threads? Thanks so much!

[xileets]

If only TPCi could have known that we’d be talking about this a decade later.

“Guys! We gotta make more print variants to drive up future demand and obsessive interest in the hobby!”