In one word: iconic. As one of the most recognizable Pokémon cards ever produced, Ancient Mew occupies a truly elite tier of rarity and value. Only a handful of sealed boxes remain in private collections today. Read on as we unravel the myth and mystique behind this legendary card!
A Quick History of Ancient Mew
Let‘s briefly rewind to the year 2000. Pokémon fever was at an all-time high, with the hugely anticipated theatrical release of Pokémon: The First Movie. As part of epic promotional campaigns worldwide, Ancient Mew was exclusively given away to moviegoers in theaters.
This mystical Mew card, lost to time yet rediscovered, blew fans away with its ancient runic text and association with the franchise‘s history.
Demand vastly exceeded supply, cementing Ancient Mew‘s legacy as one of the most iconic and coveted cards ever. But just how rare is it really?
Breaking Down the Rare Prints and Official Populations
Across 5 printed variants, around 10 million Ancient Mew cards entered circulation. That may seem abundant, but here‘s the catch – only a tiny fraction remain in pristine shape today. Let‘s examine the populations of high-grade "Gem Mint" copies officially graded by PSA, the hobby‘s authority:
| Ancient Mew Edition | Total PSA 10s |
|---|---|
| Japanese | 97 |
| 1st Edition | 16 |
| Unlimited | 478 |
As you can see, achieving the pristine PSA 10 grade is monumentally difficult, even with later prints. Let‘s discuss the populations in more detail:
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The 1st Edition Japanese is the holy grail, with just 97 PSA 10s in existence. I‘ve heard rumors of only 100 copies!
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The unlimited English print has the highest pop at 478 PSA 10s. But out of millions printed, this is still very scarce.
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Any PSA 10 Ancient Mew is extremely challenging to find for sale online. You‘ll be lucky to see 5-10 copies a year hit the open market.
Bottom line – even "unlimited" Ancient Mews are the opposite of ordinary!
Current Market Values Reflect Extreme Rarity
Today, prices clearly reflect Ancient Mew‘s elite status. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies trade hands for:
- Japanese 1st Edition – $15,000+ (Recent sale of $22,000 in October 2022!)
- Unlimited English – $200-$400 (Recent high of $385)
Raw ungraded copies hover around $10-25 normally. But collectors pay heavy premiums for PSA 10s.
Let‘s compare Ancient Mew to the most valuable Pokémon card – Pikachu Illustrator. The populations reveal striking similarities:
- Pikachu Illustrator – 39 PSA 10s
- Ancient Mew 1st Ed – 16 PSA 10s
Given the tiny supply, I predict Ancient Mew will continue rising in value due to intense demand from investors and collectors alike.
How Ancient Mew Compares to Other Rare Pokémon Cards
To fully appreciate Ancient Mew‘s prestige, let‘s size it up against some other heavy hitters:
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1st Edition Base Set Charizard – The "Poster Boy" of Pokémon cards, with 121 PSA 10s population. More exist than Ancient Mew, but it‘s recognized as an equal rarity benchmark.
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Gold Star Mew – From 2004‘s EX Deoxys, the Gold Star rarity puts it in the same league as Ancient Mew. But with 30 PSA 10s in circulation, it‘s tougher to find than Unlimited Ancient Mew.
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Crystal Lugia – This shiny beast from 2002‘s Aquapolis commands $1000+ in PSA 10 condition. But with 59 graded Gem Mint, it‘s less scarce than our ancient friend.
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Shining Charizard – With 209 PSA 10s, Shining Charizard is certainly rare and desired. But Ancient Mew still edges out one of the most popular Shinings.
As you can see, Ancient Mew contends with the Titans of Pokémon collecting in terms of rarity and value. It‘s no stretch to rank it among the top 10 most coveted cards.
Why Prices Differ Between English & Japanese Versions
You may be wondering why Japanese Ancient Mews trade for over 10X their English counterparts in PSA 10 condition. Two key reasons drive the price gap:
1. Lower Print Run
The Japanese release was exclusive to theaters in Japan. Estimates point to a print run under 100,000 copies. English versions were printed in higher quantities for international debuts.
2. Preferred Card Stock
Japanese cards have brighter colors and superior card stock. Their textured backs also make damage less visible. Collectors strongly favor the quality of original Japanese cards.
When it comes to Ancient Mew, the Japanese 1st Edition is considered the crown jewel for both its scarcity and aesthetics.
The 5 Different Print Runs of Ancient Mew
Believe it or not, there are 5 existing print variants of Ancient Mew:
Ancient Mew – No set symbol. Considered the "Holy Grail". Only 30-50 thought to exist!
Movie Edition – Fixed "Nintendo" misprint. No symbol. Still very rare.
USA Edition – Wizards logo. Available in American theaters.
European Edition – Wizards logo. Found across Europe.
Theater Edition – Neo Genesis symbol. Small distribution.
The Movie and Ancient Mew editions have miniscule populations and are virtually unseen. But all versions remain coveted by collectors.
How Ancient Mew Stacks Up to Other Mew Cards
As one of the most beloved Legendary Pokémon, Mew has spawned some extraordinarily rare cards:
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Shining Mew (Neo Destiny) – The shiny polish and low population of 26 PSA 10s make this a top-tier card. Arguably rarer than Ancient Mew.
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Gold Star Mew (EX Deoxys) – With the special Gold Star foil, this card is more scarce than Unlimited Ancient Mew. Just 30 PSA 10 examples exist.
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Mew Star (Delta Species) – This quirky Mew exists only in Japanese. One just sold for $50,000! More elusive than Ancient Mew.
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Mew ex (Legend Maker) – While beautiful and powerful in the card game, not as rare as the promotional Ancient Mew.
While other Mews certainly give it a run, Ancient Mew remains one of the most important Mews for collectors.
The Legal Status of Ancient Mew in Play
Sadly, Ancient Mew‘s mystifying runic text also makes it illegal for official tournament play. Cards must be readable by all players, so Ancient Mew remains banned.
This precedent was set by a tournament ruling in 2006. So don‘t expect to battle with this ancient warrior. It‘s now prized solely by collectors.
The Alluring Nostalgia Around Ancient Mew
Beyond all the rarity talk, here‘s what truly drives Ancient Mew‘s appeal – pure nostalgia.
It takes collectors back to 2000, when Pokémon was the biggest thing in the world. Waiting eagerly in theater lines, movie ticket in hand, not knowing they‘d receive a card that‘s now immensely coveted.
That magical memory makes Ancient Mew special to so many fans worldwide. Its rarity and value stems from the emotions it evokes.
My Expert Verdict on Ancient Mew‘s Importance
In my experienced opinion as a trader and collector, Ancient Mew rightfully belongs among the Pokémon hobby‘s greatest cards. Even "Unlimited" versions in PSA 10 demand premium prices from buyers.
The 1st Edition Japanese print, in particular, stands beside Charizard and Pikachu Illustrator as a Holy Grail card. Given its miniscule population and mythical origin, I expect its value to continue rising steadily.
Beyond the increasing monetary value, Ancient Mew‘s role in the franchise‘s history gives it a special place close to the hearts of fans. It deserves recognition as one of the cornerstones of Pokémon collecting.
The next time you crack open a vintage booster box, remember the legend of the Ancient Mew!
