I think I’ve already posted this once in the past, but since I was reminder by it two days ago as well as today, I’m just gonna post it here as reference for myself and anyone else interested:
Base Set Energies may all look very similar in all languages, but almost all of them can still be differentiated from one another (all the important parts are colored):
- English Shadowless (both 1st and non-1st): ©1995, 96, 98**, 99** + ©1999 + Energy
- English unlimited edition: ©1995, 96, 98 + ©1999 + Energy
- English unlimited edition UK 4th print: ©1995, 96, 98 + ©1999-2000 + Energy
- Dutch (both 1st and UED): ©1999-2000 + Energie
- German (both 1st and UED): ©1999 + Energie
- French (both 1st and UED): ©1999 + Énergie
- Italian (both 1st and UED): ©1999-2000 + Energia
- Spanish from Latin America (both 1st and UED): ©1999 + Energía
- Spanish from Spain (both 1st and UED): ©1999-2000 + Energía
- Portuguese (both 1st and UED): ©1999 + Energia
- Korean (both 1st and UED): ©1995, 96, 98 + ©1999-2000 + Energy
- Chinese (both 1st and UED): ©1995, 96, 98 + ©1999-2000 + Energy
As you can see, the only ones you are unable to differentiate from one another are the 1st editions of the Korean or Chinese Energy cards (both ©1999-2000 + Energy), nor the unlimited editions of the English UK 4th print, Korean, or Chinese Energy cards (all three ©1999-2000 + Energy as well). For every other Energy you are able to determine its language based on the copyright year and Energy translation used.
Greetz,
Quuador