Stamped Pokémon cards
Stamped Pokémon cards
Prerelease, Staff, Pokémon Center, League, championships: what each stamp means, and how it affects the price.
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The short answer
A stamped card is a Pokémon card printed with an extra mark: the word "Staff" or "Prerelease", or the logo of a set, an event, a Pokémon Center or the League. Given out outside boosters (prereleases, tournaments, events, shops), it's a separate version of the card with its own price: a rare stamp, like Staff or a tournament reward, is often worth much more than the unstamped card.
What is a stamped card?
The stamp is printed on the card and tells you where it comes from: an event, a shop, a tournament, an anniversary. The card is the same as the set's, but it's a separate version for collectors, with its own price.
The stamps, one by one
- Prerelease
- Cards given out at a new set's prereleases, before its release. Depending on the era, the stamp says "Prerelease" or shows the set's logo.
- Staff
- The same card with the word "Staff", given to event organisers and judges. Far fewer exist than of the players' version, so it's generally worth more.
- Pokémon Center
- Cards tied to Pokémon Centers, the official shops, and their exclusive products.
- League
- Pokémon League rewards, the organised play in shops: often reverses with the League stamp.
- Championships and Worlds
- Official tournament cards (city, regional, national and world championships): the event's stamp, sometimes with the player's placing (Winner, 1st place…). Among the rarest.
- Anniversaries and promotions
- Other stamps mark an event or a promotion: 25th anniversary, 30th anniversary, Pokémon Day, Pokémon Together, a snowflake, retailers (GameStop, EB Games, Toys "R" Us)…
- 1st edition
- The 1st edition stamp on Wizards cards isn't an event stamp but a print run: it's an edition.
Stamped cards and their prices
On each card's page, gotem. lists all its versions, stamped ones included, each with its price.
Recognising a genuine stamp
- The stamp must be sharp, well placed and identical to that on other copies of the same card: compare with photos of real ones.
- Be wary of a blurry, crooked or raised stamp: stamps added afterwards exist.
- Check that the stamped version exists: look the card up in gotem., its versions are listed there.
- For an expensive card (Staff, tournament), prefer a graded one: the label generally shows the version.
What a stamp is worth
A stamp doesn't automatically make a card valuable: a prerelease card given to every player stays common. What matters is how many copies exist: a Staff stamp, a tournament reward or a limited event is often worth much more than the same card without a stamp.
Add the right version to your collection
In gotem., open the card and pick its stamped version when adding it (Prerelease, Staff, Pokémon Center…): it counts at its own price in your collection's value. Free.
Add my cardsFrequently asked questions
Is a stamped card worth more?
Not always: it all depends on how many copies were given out. A Staff stamp or a tournament reward is often worth much more than the unstamped card; a prerelease card given to everyone stays affordable.
What's the difference between Prerelease and Staff?
The Prerelease card is given to prerelease players, the Staff version to organisers and judges. Far fewer Staff copies exist, and they're generally worth more.
How do I get stamped cards?
By taking part in prereleases, League and official tournaments, with certain products and in shops, or by buying them from other collectors.
Is a stamped card a promo?
Often, since it's given out outside boosters. But it's the stamped version of a card that also exists without a stamp.
How do I add a stamped card in gotem.?
Open the card, pick its stamped version when adding it, then its condition: it counts at its own price.
Is the 1st edition stamp the same thing?
No: it marks the first print run of Wizards cards, an edition, not an event stamp.
Add the right version to your collection
In gotem., open the card and pick its stamped version when adding it (Prerelease, Staff, Pokémon Center…): it counts at its own price in your collection's value. Free.
Add my cards
