01Card Stats

Stage 1 (evolves from Sandshrew)

HP 70

TypeFighting

RarityUncommon

IllustratorKen Sugimori

WeaknessGrass ×2

Retreat●

SetFossil

Released1999

02Editions and Print Runs

Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition and Unlimited distinctions still applied.

1st Edition

How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.

First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.

Unlimited

How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp; standard print frame.

Most common version of this card.

04Variants and Foiling

Rarity tiers: Uncommon
Foiling: Non-holo standard finish.
Alt art / specials: No full-art, secret rare, or alternate-art version documented for this print.

05Language and Regional Versions

English: Standard English release.
Japanese: Released in the equivalent Japanese set.
European: Localized European prints exist with translated text.
Other: No documented language-exclusive errors or major regional variants.

06Current Market Value

Non Holo	~$6.58 TCGplayer market (asking-price proxy); eBay solds may differ — verify current listings.

TCGplayer market is an asking-price proxy and can run above realized eBay sold prices; verify against recent solds before buying or selling.

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07Why Collectors Want It

Original WotC-era printing from the Fossil set — foundational vintage Sandslash.
Final stage of the Sandshrew → Sandslash line, with vintage roots and modern ex prints.
Required for any complete Sandslash master set across eras.
Collectors of the Fossil set need this card to finish it.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 1 Sandslash with 70 HP; top attack around 20 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Slash Cost: Colorless + Colorless · 20 damage

Fury Swipes Cost: Fighting + Fighting · 20× damage

Flip 3 coins. This attack does 20 damage times the number of heads.

Weakness: Grass ×2
Resistance: Lightning -30
Retreat cost: 1

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Sandslash PSA 10 populations vary; small numbers across most sets.

Graded copies command notable premiums over raw, especially for 1st Edition prints.

Other graders: BGS and CGC also grade vintage Pokemon; PSA dominates secondary-market liquidity.

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Sandslash