To answer directly – the Ancient Mew card, given out at Pokémon: The Movie 2000, is quite rare compared to normal Pokémon cards. But it‘s not the absolute rarest promo out there. We‘ll break down all the details in this comprehensive guide.
Based on distribution numbers, grading population, and prices, I would consider Ancient Mew to be a moderately rare promo card. It was limited to movie goers in 2000, with a print run under 50,000. That‘s tiny compared to normal sets! But it‘s not as hard to find as Japanese exclusive promos.
Let‘s jump into the numbers so I can show you the data behind that rarity analysis:
Distribution and Print Run
- The Ancient Mew card was only obtainable by attending Pokémon: The Movie 2000 in theaters from July 21-23, 2000.
- It was not included in any normal Pokémon TCG sets or products.
- Expert estimates put the print run between 35,000 – 40,000 copies printed for the worldwide movie theater promotion.
- For comparison, normal Pokémon TCG expansions have print runs well into the millions!
So while not astronomically rare due to the movie‘s wide release, we‘re talking orders of magnitude less Ancient Mews than regular cards.
Grading Population
Professional grading companies like PSA and Beckett grade Pokémon cards based on condition, then encapsulate them for protection and authentication. By looking at population reports, we can get an idea of how many Ancient Mews still exist in top shape today:
| Grading Company | Ancient Mews Graded | Gem Mint 10s |
|---|---|---|
| PSA | 2,255 | 478 |
| Beckett | 1,046 | 50 |
That‘s only around 500 PSA 10s out of an already small print run. And remember, grading companies charge $20-$100 per card – so only the most valuable and coveted cards get submitted.
Value Range
So how does that rarity translate into real world value? Here‘s a quick overview of current Ancient Mew prices:
- Raw/Ungraded: $15 to $50, depending on condition
- PSA 9 Mint: $150 to $250
- PSA 10 Gem Mint: $350 to $500+
The record sale for PSA 10 Ancient Mew was $999 in a 2020 auction. Prices have softened a bit since then, but remain strong for high grade copies.
Rarity Compared to Other Promos
Now that we‘ve looked at the numbers, how does Ancient Mew stack up to other rare Pokémon promo cards?
- More common than extremely limited Japanese promos like Tropical Mega Battle cards
- Rarer than widely distributed promos like Cosmos Ancient Mew and Nintendo Black Star promos
- Not as valuable as "holy grail" promos like 1st Edition Prerelease Raichu
The 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard is arguably the most expensive Pokémon card overall. But when it comes to promos specifically, Ancient Mew sits somewhere in the middle in terms of rarity.
History and Origins
Finally, let‘s touch briefly on the history of this iconic collectible:
- Ancient Mew was designed by Ken Sugimori specifically for the 2000 Pokémon movie release
- The text is written in Nordic Futhark runes, lending an ancient, mythical feel
- It was originally only available by seeing the film in Japanese theaters
- Later it was distributed for the movie‘s worldwide theatrical release
So in summary, while not the rarest Pokémon promo ever produced, the Ancient Mew stands out for its history, nostalgic appeal, and moderately limited distribution. This detailed guide shows why high grade copies remain sought after by collectors to this day.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to share my years of Pokémon TCG expertise.
