History
Moltres, one of the three legendary bird Pokémon of Kanto, is renowned for its fiery essence and majestic presence. Its card from the Fossil expansion holds a special place in Pokémon TCG history. The Fossil set, launched in 1999 in North America, was the third expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, following the foundational Base Set and the Jungle expansion. It introduced the intriguing "Restored Pokémon" mechanic and heavily featured prehistoric and ancient Pokémon, a fitting theme for Moltres's ancient, legendary status.
The artwork for the Holographic Moltres #12/62 in the Fossil set, masterfully illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, captures Moltres in a powerful, soaring pose, enveloped by its signature flames, against a dramatic backdrop of mountains or a volcanic landscape. Arita is celebrated for his contributions to the Pokémon TCG, having illustrated numerous iconic cards, including the famous Base Set Charizard. His distinctive style beautifully conveys Moltres's strength and elegance, making this card a highly sought-after collectible.
This particular card is identified as a "2nd Edition" in French, which corresponds to the English "Unlimited" print run of the Fossil set.
