Is Ancient Mew a Real Thing? Unveiling the Mystery of a Pokémon TCG Legend
Yes, Ancient Mew is absolutely a real thing. It’s not a figment of a fan’s imagination or a myth concocted in the depths of online forums. Ancient Mew is a legitimate promotional card from the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), released in conjunction with the second Pokémon movie, Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One, known in Japan as Revelation Lugia. This card holds a unique place in TCG history, shrouded in intrigue due to its unusual design, enigmatic language, and interesting distribution method. Despite its physical existence and historical importance, the card’s value and relevance in the modern TCG landscape are often debated and misunderstood, making its story even more captivating.
The Origins of Ancient Mew
The story of Ancient Mew begins in July 1999 in Japan, where it was distributed as a theatrical promo for Revelation Lugia. The card then made its way to the rest of the world alongside the international release of Pokémon the Movie 2000 in 2000. This wasn’t a standard booster pack inclusion, rather it was a special promotional item given to moviegoers upon purchasing a ticket. The card features the mythical Pokémon Mew, rendered in a stylized manner reminiscent of ancient drawings. This design choice is further accentuated by the use of Futhark and Gothenburg Runic scripts instead of standard text, giving the card a distinctly mysterious and ancient aesthetic.
A Unique Design and Printing
One of the primary reasons Ancient Mew stands out is its unusual appearance. The combination of the runic text, the stylized Mew artwork, and the card’s overall layout makes it instantly recognizable and different from standard Pokémon cards. Interestingly, the worldwide releases of Ancient Mew were produced using cheaper material and the printing quality varied slightly. This has led to some copies being more susceptible to damage, further contributing to the discussion of its rarity and value. However, due to the runic text being intentionally obscure, the English and French versions of Ancient Mew are exactly the same.
The Various Versions
While many believe there’s only one version of Ancient Mew, there are actually five recognized versions. These variations primarily differ in printing marks or minor cosmetic differences that are difficult for casual collectors to identify. Distinguishing them often requires meticulous examination, and these nuances can influence the card’s value in the collector’s market. These variations add another layer of complexity to understanding and collecting this peculiar piece of Pokémon TCG history.
Why the Confusion Around Ancient Mew?
Despite being a tangible item, a few factors have contributed to misconceptions about Ancient Mew. First, its bizarre runic text makes it seem like a foreign artifact rather than a standard trading card. This mystique has led to wild speculation and an almost legendary status amongst some fans. Second, the card was banned from official tournaments due to the text being unreadable by the vast majority of players. This lack of competitive use has led some to question its validity within the TCG.
Finally, the over-production of the card during its release has resulted in many copies still being available, often at relatively low prices, despite its unique character. It’s a case of a widely available card having significant historical importance while often perceived as not very valuable. This can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the market dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ancient Mew
1. Is Ancient Mew illegal in official Pokémon TCG tournaments?
Yes, the Ancient Mew card is banned from official Pokémon TCG tournaments. This ban was implemented because the text on the card is written in Futhark Runic and Gothenburg Runic, making it impossible for most players to understand or use it properly in a competitive setting.
2. How many different versions of Ancient Mew exist?
There are actually five different versions of the Ancient Mew card. These variations often have subtle differences in printing marks or other minor cosmetic elements that are difficult for the average collector to detect.
3. Why is Ancient Mew so cheap compared to other old Pokémon cards?
Despite its historical significance, Ancient Mew is relatively cheap due to its over-production at the time of its release. It was a promotional card, and many were distributed, meaning there is still a plentiful supply available, which keeps the price down. The use of cheaper material also plays a part.
4. What is the text on Ancient Mew written in?
The text on the Ancient Mew card is written in a combination of Futhark Runic and Gothenburg Runic scripts, two ancient written languages from medieval times.
5. Was Ancient Mew a part of a regular Pokémon card set?
No, Ancient Mew was not part of a standard Pokémon TCG set. It was a promotional card given out with the purchase of movie tickets for the theatrical release of Pokémon the Movie 2000.
6. How rare is a graded Gem Mint 10 Ancient Mew?
According to PSA, as of writing this article, only around 478 copies of the ‘Nintedo’ Ancient Mew card have been graded at a Gem Mint 10 level. This highlights that while many cards were released, those in perfect condition are relatively rare.
7. How does the Ancient Mew design differ from regular Pokémon cards?
The Ancient Mew card differs significantly in that it utilizes a unique art style and the inclusion of runic text. It’s also printed on slightly different stock compared to the usual TCG cards. This makes it easily distinguishable and contributes to its overall charm.
8. Does Ancient Mew have any competitive play value?
No, due to the runic text and subsequent ban, the Ancient Mew card has no competitive play value in official Pokémon TCG tournaments. It is strictly a collector’s item.
9. Was Ancient Mew ever considered a “Legendary” Pokémon card?
While it’s a promo card and features a Mythical Pokémon (Mew), Ancient Mew is not classified as a “Legendary” card in terms of game mechanics. The term “Legendary” in TCG usually refers to a card type with specific rules.
10. Is it possible to find a new, unopened Ancient Mew card nowadays?
While less common, it is still possible to find unopened Ancient Mew cards, often in sealed movie promotion packs. These are rarer and generally fetch a higher price in the collector market.
11. Where was the Ancient Mew card available?
The Ancient Mew card was available worldwide as a promotional item alongside the release of Pokémon the Movie 2000, given out in theaters when purchasing a ticket.
12. Is there any difference between the English and French Ancient Mew versions?
No, despite the difference in language, the English and French versions of Ancient Mew are exactly the same. The runic text is the same in all versions.
13. Is there a Japanese Ancient Mew card?
Yes, the Japanese version of the Ancient Mew card was released earlier, in 1999, as a promotion for the movie Revelation Lugia. This is the version that the worldwide releases are based on.
14. Does the Ancient Mew card appear in the movie?
Yes, the Ancient Mew card makes a brief appearance in Pokémon the Movie 2000, in the collection of the film’s villain, Lawrence III.
15. Is the Ancient Mew card a good investment?
While it’s a historical piece and may appreciate in value over time, Ancient Mew is not usually considered a primary investment card in the TCG market. Its high supply means it often has low prices, but graded perfect copies have increased in value. Collectors often seek them for their unique charm and their historical value rather than financial gain.
Conclusion
The Ancient Mew card, despite its unusual nature and relatively low financial value in comparison to other TCG cards, is without a doubt a real piece of Pokémon history. Its unique design, runic text, and intriguing backstory continue to fascinate collectors and fans alike. While it may not be a powerhouse in tournaments, its cultural and historical significance within the Pokémon TCG universe is undeniable. It serves as a reminder of a different era of Pokémon promotion and adds an interesting chapter to the ongoing story of these cherished collectibles.