A Guide to Topsun Pokémon Cards- The Oldest Pokémon Cards?

Red Vs. Green Backgrounds

Most of the Topsun cards have a red/green background divided by a zig-zag line, much like the artwork on the apple gum booster pack. However, some cards feature exclusively red or green backgrounds, and it’s not entirely agreed upon why this is. 

Many speculate that the background colour represents the availability of each Pokémon per Gameboy game. For example, if Mankey has a red background, then Mankey is only available in Red Version. But this theory doesn’t quite add up, and here’s why:

This table represents each Pokémon’s appearance in the original games and also the Topsun cards. There are multiple discrepancies. Some that stand out are Koffing, which has no Gameboy game exclusivity, yet has a green Topsun background, and the starters who also don’t have exclusivity but have their respective background colours.

My theory here is that Top Seika was likely going off of data that was pre-release. The Pokémon exclusivities would then be changed for the final product. 

This theory, however, lends credence to the claim that Topsun cards were produced before the game’s release, and likely have an earlier release year than 1997.

Another piece of evidence here is that there is no Mew Topsun card. Mew was publicly revealed in 1996, so the decision not to include Mew in the Topsun card production is odd to say the least.

The No-Number Error Cards

Upon the initial release of Pokémon Topsun cards, an error occurred when Topsun began their printing process but the Pokémon’s Pokédex number was missing from the face of the card. The error was corrected quickly, but many cards made their way to consumers. Of course, only the blue backs can have the no-number error. 

These are referred to as the ‘no number error cards’. These are the most valuable Topsun cards due to their rarity and collectability. 

However, only 50 of the blue backs have this error. Some evidence suggests that this was not an error at all, and represents the very first print of Topsun cards, with the number being added upon the set’s full release.

How to Spot Fake Topsun Cards

It’s not uncommon to see counterfeit cards when the value of an authentic one can potentially be six figures. 

Fake Topsun cards do exist, and they aren’t as uncommon as one would think. Thankfully, your chances of receiving a fake is low as long as you aren’t seeking valuable cards such as Charizard. Scammers tend to skip the lesser cards such as Kabutops, for example. 

Here are a few things to look for:

1. Gloss

Topsun cards are glossy. It’s odd to see if it’s your first time holding one, but they have a thick and very shiny gloss to both the face and back of the card. This is not only difficult to replicate but impossible to judge from a photo. If you receive one without gloss or a low level of gloss, it’s time to suspect a fake. 

2. Correct Coloring

This counts as any colors on the card that look ‘off’. Now, ink colors can vary during the printing process, but are often subtle differences. Any colors that are incorrect or outright wrong are indicative of a fake card. 

Furthermore, the card images are often crisp with clear lines and strong vibrant colors. Any blurriness is a reason to suspect. 

3. Corners

Topsun cards have different corners than typical trading cards. They are much more rounded and have little variation. Compare your card to some of the images in this article to check your corners. 

4. Size

Oddly, Topsun cards have a different form factor than the standard trading card. In our Pokémon card size guide, we list Topsun cards to be approximately 2 X 3 inches, or more precisely, 58.7 X 85.7 mm. 

If you receive a Topsun card that is the same size as a regular Pokémon card, unfortunately, it is fake. 

5. Text on Back

On the rear side of Topsun cards is Japanese text (Kanji) that says “Topsun” repeated. You’ll want to check that the text is either blue or green, inspect the color, but also look at the angle of the text.

The kanji is slanted at approximately a 30-degree angle. Just compare to the images we have here. It is possible that there are some slight variations out there, but anything more than a slight difference in angle will be indicative of a fake. 

6. Number/Name box Border

The most common Topsun cards to be faked are the no-number error cards. These cards fetch high prices, so there are more counterfeits floating around the market. 

The text box at the top of the card that contains the Pokémon’s name is a sort of pinkish color with a thin black outline. However, the no-number error cards do not have this thin black outline. 

There are known to be incredibly convincing Topsun fakes created, with only this mistake as an indicator. If you are purchasing no-number error cards, pay close attention to this small detail. 

Topsun Price Guide for 2024

It wasn’t long ago that Topsun cards were very affordable for the average collector. But sometime around 2020, they shot up in price along with all trading cards. This was a result of the ongoing pandemic, supply chain issues, and the amount of attention the hobby was receiving. And on top of all this, the widespread misinformation that Topsun cards are the first Pokémon cards to be made. 

The best place to buy Topsun cards has always been eBay. Since these cards are scarce, they are tough to find at local game stores and obviously, aren’t sold retail. 

The Average Price for a Topsun Card

On average, expect to pay $10-50 for a blue back and $3-40 for a green back. 

A Topsun booster pack is going to cost around $1,500-3,000 if you can find one. (Check eBay)

If you are interested in a popular Pokémon such as Pikachu, expect to pay a little extra. In addition to this, Charizard is an expensive card and will cost the most. 

Topsun Charizard Prices

Not unlike any other set, Charizard steals the spotlight when it comes to value. The original blue back Topsun Charizard is highly sought after.

We’ve created a simple table including the Charizard Topsun variations. As you can see, the price quickly increases with a high grade.

Conclusion

Topsun cards are still guarding many secrets. Until we receive an official statement from a current or former employee, we may still debate its release date and origins. 

The exact cause of the no-number cards is still unknown, as it could be an error or it could have been intentional. The exact release date remains unknown, as well as the reason for the different colour backgrounds. 

However, evidence is piling up, and until we come to a conclusion, we can still appreciate the amazing cards and the culture they represent.

A note from the author

Hey there. My name is Oliver. 

To create this article, I spent weeks scrounging together every forum post, Youtube video, and blog post Google had to offer. I even reached out to these fellow creators to ask questions. However, there are still many mysteries surrounding the Topsun cards. If you are an expert or if you have any additional information, please contact me via the contact page.

If you have any anecdotal reports of Topsun card origins, please leave a comment and help the community spread helpful information on Topsun cards.

Special thanks to shizzlemetimbers for helping me dig up some old web pages.

Also, if I made any mistakes, please reach out to me. Take care!