FireRed LeafGreen holos & energy reverse holos - additional variant in French (and possibly other languages)?

[slowqueen]

Hi all, coming to you with a question.

I was browsing this database of all French Pokemon cards released when I saw something peculiar in the FireRed & LeafGreen card list. All of the holo cards had not only a cosmos holo and a poke ball stamp energy reverse holo variant listed, but also a third variant: energy reverse holo with no poke ball. The text at the top clarifies that there is a version of these cards with the reverse energy holo foil, but no large poke ball on the card.

This threw me for a loop. I was under the impression that this French release was a 1:1 match with the English releases, and in English, I was pretty sure that there are only cosmos holo and poke ball stamp reverse holo variants. I sent this info to a friend on Discord. These are the versions I have in English:

He responded with evidence of several FRLG reverse holos in French, with the energy Reverse pattern but missing the big poke ball stamp.

This is pretty mind-blowing to me, not going to lie

My question: Is this third version with the energy holo pattern + no poke ball stamp a known printing? A misprint? A French-exclusive? Or does this exist in other languages too?

Thankful if anyone knows more!

[slowqueen]

@Kijamon @Butterfree.12 – wondering if any other all-language species collectors with FRLG holos know more?

Also summoning @Quuador who sometimes knows these things!

[Quuador]

Oh. I have seen the French Nidoking with this error before, and it makes sense every Reverse Holofoil from the same sheet would have the same error, but I wasn’t aware it was so abundantly available that it is known as a variant among the French collectors. That’s pretty cool.

I do think this only applies to the RHs of the Holofoil Rare cards in the French set. And you’re right that it is still a misprint. And it’s indeed French exclusive a.f.a.i.k., although it’s plausible other languages had a similar misprint.

Greetz,
Quuador

[slowqueen]

Fascinating! I was so hoping that you would have more info Quuador. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for this version, but knowing it’s a misprint helps ease that “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” feeling

[Quuador]

@slowqueen

but knowing it’s a misprint helps ease that “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” feeling

Yeah, I deem misprints also nice-to-haves. Although it’s cool that it’s a repeating misprint.

I’ve also just PM-ed you a listing of a Slowbro with this error for 25 euros, although it seems you’ll need a French middleman to ship to, unless they’re willing to ship elsewhere when you message them..

Greetz,
Quuador