Error cards: spot the difference

In 30 secondsSometimes a card was printed with a mistake, then corrected. The mistaken copies can become collectable. Each picture below shows the normal card, with a marker on the spot where the error version is different. Most error lists come from collectors, not from the company, and an error usually only counts once a grading company recognises it.

Pikachu, Base Set 58 — **Base Set Pikachu 58/102 (this copy has normal yellow cheeks)**
1 **Red Cheeks Pikachu:** some early Base Set copies (1st Edition and Shadowless) have **red** cheeks instead of yellow. It was changed part-way through printing, so many red copies exist.
2 **Ghost stamp Pikachu:** a rare version shows only faint traces of the Edition 1 stamp here.

Ninetales, Base Set 12 — **Base Set Ninetales 12/102 (this copy shows the 80)**
1 **No Damage Ninetales:** on a few copies, the "80" damage next to Fire Blast is missing.

Wartortle, Base Set 42 — **Base Set Wartortle 42/102 (this copy is correct)**
1 **Wartortle evolution box:** the small picture here should be Squirtle, which is what Wartortle evolves from. On the error version it shows Wartortle itself.

Blastoise, Base Set 2 — **Base Set Blastoise 2/102 (this copy is correct)**
1 **Blastoise:** some copies are missing the word "Stage" in this corner.

Blaine's Charizard, Gym Challenge 2 — **Gym Challenge Blaine's Charizard 2/132**
1 **Blaine's Charizard:** on 1st Edition and most Unlimited copies, the Roaring Flames attack shows a **Fighting** energy symbol instead of Fire. A late Unlimited run was corrected, so the corrected card is actually the rarer one.

Go deeper: other known Base Set errors

Diglett 47/102: the Fighting energy symbol printed rotated.
Sandshrew 62/102, Voltorb 67/102 and a few others: small text or stat errors on early prints.

Before paying extra for an "error", check it is a recognised error with a grading company. Many "errors" sold online are just print flaws.

Card images © Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, shown small for identification and education only, via the open TCGdex and pokemontcg.io card databases. Not for sale or reuse. To request removal, email hello@pocketmoonstars.com and we will take it down the same day.

Sources (checked October 2026): Elite Fourum: master guide to WotC errors · PokeBeach: card errors database · TCGdex open card database (images)