Value of 2nd edition Pokemon cards: are they worth anything?

TCG Pokémon prices are still at an all-time high, which has led many lapsed collectors to dig up their old collections. Everyone knows the big money is in 1st Edition cards, but what about reprints? Does the second edition of Pokemon cards have anything to write home about? Here's the truth about whether cards in the second edition Pokemon trading card game are worth or not.

Are second edition Pokemon cards valuable?

2nd Edition Pokemon cards can be very valuable, even if they're not worth as much as their 1st Edition counterparts.

A second edition Pokemon card can be identified by the absence of both the “Edition 1” logo and a drop shadow on the lower right edges of the artwork. Collectors call the second edition Pokemon cards "shadowless", due to the lack of this drop shadow effect. For more information, check out this explanation on how to identify a shadowless card (2nd edition).

Pokemon cards with the “2” logo, which features an overlapping Pokeball, are not second edition prints. Cards showing the stylized image simply belong to core set 2 - typically, their value is comparable to unlimited reprint versions of the originals. Rare cards in excellent condition can potentially fetch hundreds of dollars, so they're still worth keeping around.

Many people confuse Core Set 2 cards with Second Edition Pokemon cards, although, in reality, they are far less rare. As a result, there is also a decline in value. All cards kept in good condition can still sell for a good price, but don't expect them to hit the thousands of dollars anytime soon. Anyone interested in selling should consider valuation cards for the ability to instantly increase their value.

Want to know more about Pokemon cards? Find out which is worth more: Japanese or American version. Finally, will Pokemon cards continue to increase in value?