Energy Retrieval — Base Set #81/102
The Energy Retrieval is card #81/102 in the 1999 Pokemon Game Base Set (Wizards of the Coast) — the set that launched the Pokemon Trading Card Game. It is a uncommon Trainer-type card, issued across four printings: 1st Edition, Shadowless, Unlimited and the 1999-2000 (4th) print. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 2,516 copies have been graded, with only 572 earning a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) — a sense of how scarce top-grade examples are.
Print variants & how to tell them apart
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2–6 | 1 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Edition | ||||||||
| PSA | 1,105 | 173 | 525 | 220 | 92 | 93 | 1 | 1 |
| SGC | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shadowless | ||||||||
| PSA | 572 | 170 | 213 | 104 | 38 | 44 | 1 | 2 |
| SGC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unlimited | ||||||||
| PSA | 752 | 196 | 327 | 142 | 46 | 41 | 0 | 0 |
| SGC | 8 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999–2000 (4th Print) | ||||||||
| PSA | 76 | 32 | 29 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Card details
Prices & where to buy
| Variant | Market | TCGplayer | eBay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Edition | $35.91 | TCGplayer | eBay |
| Shadowless | $0.93 | TCGplayer | eBay |
| Unlimited | $0.58 | TCGplayer | eBay |
| 1999–2000 (4th Print) | — | — | eBay |
About the print variants
Base Set cards come in four printings: 1st Edition (Edition-1 stamp), Shadowless (no stamp, no drop shadow, the extra '99' in the copyright), Unlimited (drop shadow, most common), and the 1999-2000 (4th print) (like Unlimited but the copyright reads (c)1999-2000). Machamp is the exception -- it is always 1st-Edition-stamped.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1999 Pokemon Base Set Energy Retrieval card?
The Energy Retrieval is card #81/102 in the 1999 Pokemon Game Base Set by Wizards of the Coast, the first English Pokemon Trading Card Game set. It is a uncommon Trainer-type card and exists in four printings: 1st Edition, Shadowless, Unlimited and the 1999-2000 print.
How can I tell which printing of the Energy Retrieval I have?
Check three tells: a 1st Edition has the black 'Edition 1' stamp at the lower-left of the artwork; a Shadowless has no stamp AND no drop shadow on the right of the art box (plus an extra '99' in the copyright line); Unlimited has the drop shadow and is by far the most common; the 1999-2000 print looks like Unlimited but its copyright reads (c)1999-2000.
How rare is a graded Energy Retrieval?
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 2,516 copies of the Energy Retrieval have been graded, of which only 572 earned a PSA 10 (Gem Mint). Mid-grade copies are obtainable, but gem-mint examples are genuinely scarce.
Which printing of the Energy Retrieval is most valuable?
The 1st Edition is the most valuable printing - around $35.91 on TCGplayer versus about $0.58 for Unlimited, with Shadowless in between. Holofoil and condition push values higher still.
More Trainer-type Base Set cards
Sources: pokemontcg.io, PSA & SGC population reports, and live TCGplayer market data. Card data, variants & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-06-30.