Which sets are in the Original Series era?

The Original Series era has 18 sets: Expansion Pack, Expansion Pack (No Rarity), Pokemon Jungle, Mystery of the Fossils, Rocket Gang, Challenge from the Darkness, City Gym Decks, Player Placement Trainer Promos, Leaders' Stadium, Quick Starter Gift Set (Green Deck), Quick Starter Gift Set (Red Deck), Intro Pack (Bulbasaur), Intro Pack (Squirtle), Southern Island, Japanese CD Promo, Vending Machine cards Series 1 (Blue), Vending Machine cards Series 2 (Red), Vending Machine cards Series 3 (Green).

What years does the Original Series era span?

The Original Series era spans 1996 to 2025. It runs from Expansion Pack to Vending Machine cards Series 3 (Green).

What is the best-performing card in the Original Series era right now?

Misty's Tears (Leaders' Stadium) is down 2.2% over the last 7 days, as of November 6, 2026.

Scarlet & Violet4,146

Expansion Pack (No Rarity)43

Pokemon Jungle48

Mystery of the Fossils48

Rocket Gang65

Challenge from the Darkness98

City Gym Decks124

Player Placement Trainer Promos0

Leaders' Stadium96

Quick Starter Gift Set (Green Deck)0

Quick Starter Gift Set (Red Deck)0

Intro Pack (Bulbasaur)41

Intro Pack (Squirtle)39

Southern Island18

Japanese CD Promo4

Vending Machine cards Series 1 (Blue)36

Vending Machine cards Series 2 (Red)36

Vending Machine cards Series 3 (Green)52

AllHitsChaseMovers Accumulation Oversold

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Original Series Era Card List

18 sets · 1996–2025 · 908 cards

Japanese Original Series era guide

At a glance

Years: 1996 to 1999
Sets: 16
Cards: 908
Most valuable set: Expansion Pack

The Original Series is an era of the Japanese Pokémon TCG covering 1996 to 1999. It holds 16 sets and 908 cards, of which 8 are main expansions, with the remainder made up of other products such as vending machine cards and promos. The cards carry the original Pokémon card layout from the game's earliest Japanese releases. Expansion Pack, from 1996, and Challenge from the Darkness, from 1998, are two of the sets that matter most for Original Series era Pokémon cards.

Highest-value sets of the Japanese Original Series era

Among main sets, the highest-value sets of the Original Series era are Expansion Pack at a 24 percent share, Challenge from the Darkness at 23 percent and Rocket Gang at 11 percent. Expansion Pack dates from 1996, Rocket Gang from 1997 and Challenge from the Darkness from 1998, so the best sets here come from three different years of the era. The top two sit almost level, and together they hold close to half of the ranked value, which leaves the remaining main sets with a thinner portion each.

Written from market data as of October 29, 2026; the table updates live.