The History of the Fossil Expansion
Released in France in early 2000, the Fossil expansion is the third Pokemon TCG expansion, after the Base Set and Jungle. Comprising 62 cards, it completes the original trio of WOTC expansions and closes the first chapter in the history of the Pokemon Trading Card Game. Its theme is centered on prehistoric Pokemon — Aerodactyl, Omanyte, Kabuto, and their evolutions — as well as the three legendary birds of the first generation.
The Fossil expansion is recognizable by its expansion symbol in the shape of a stylized Aerodactyl skeleton, one of the most iconic logos in the TCG. For French collectors, Fossil naturally completes any collection started with the Base Set and Jungle, forming an inseparable trio that represents the foundations of the Pokemon Trading Card Game in France.
The Most Sought-After Cards
The Fossil expansion contains some of the most iconic cards of the first generation:
- Mewtwo (#10/62): the ultimate legendary Pokemon. This holographic Mewtwo is distinct from the Base Set version and remains one of the most sought-after cards in the expansion. Its illustration and "Absorb" attack make it a must-have for any vintage collection.
- Lapras (#10/62): a highly appreciated holographic card for its elegant illustration. Lapras is often undervalued relative to its true rarity, especially in the French 1st Edition version.
- Pidgeot: the final evolution of Pidgey, whose holographic card is increasingly sought after by first-generation collectors.
- Aerodactyl (#1/62): the thematic star card of the expansion. The holographic Aerodactyl, with its "Prehistoric Power" ability that prevented playing Evolution cards, was feared in tournaments and remains a collector favorite.
- Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos: the three legendary birds in holographic form are the crown jewels of Fossil for fans of legendary Pokemon.
Why Invest in Fossil?
The Fossil expansion is the third pillar of the original Pokemon TCG trio. Its value rests on several factors: its age (it is one of the first three expansions), the presence of Mewtwo and the legendary birds, and the increasing scarcity of French copies in good condition. French Fossil 1st Edition cards are becoming increasingly difficult to source on the market.
As with Jungle, Fossil cards offer an excellent value for money compared to the Base Set. The 1st Edition holographic cards graded PSA 9 and 10 are still accessible at reasonable prices, but the trend is clearly upward. Now is the ideal time to complete your collection with these historic pieces of the Pokemon TCG.