Magnemite #53/102 — Base Set Common Card Details

Step back into the year 1999 with this iconic Magnemite from the original Pokémon Trading Card Game Base Set. As one of the foundational cards of the hobby, this release represents the earliest days of the Wizards of the Coast era and is a must-have for anyone looking to complete a nostalgic master set of the original 102 cards.

Key Features:

• Set: Base Set
• Card Number: 53/102
• Rarity: Common
• Type: Lightning
• HP: 40
• Illustrator: Keiji Kinebuchi
• Year: 1999

This card features the classic non-foil matte finish characteristic of Common rarity cards from the original 1999 Unlimited print run. The artwork is presented in a crisp, clear window that showcases the early 3D-rendered aesthetic that Keiji Kinebuchi made famous during the first several years of the Pokémon TCG's global explosion.

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What's Included

• 1x Magnemite #53/102 - Base Set - Common - Pokémon Trading Card - TCG Single - Near Mint
  This individual trading card is shipped in a protective archival-safe penny sleeve inside a rigid toploader. It arrives in the condition described, ready for your binder or display.

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Condition

This card is graded at Near Mint (NM) condition, which is exceptional for a vintage specimen that is over two decades old. To ensure full transparency for collectors, we have meticulously inspected the card's physical state under bright light. This card is a verified authentic print, showing all the correct ink patterns and card stock characteristics of a genuine 1999 Wizards of the Coast production.

• Surface: The front and back surfaces are remarkably clean, retaining much of their original factory luster without the heavy scratching often found on older cards.
• Centering: This copy features a Centering score of 9.0/10. The horizontal alignment (left-to-right) is approximately 56/44, while the vertical alignment (top-to-bottom) is a very strong 46/54, making it an excellent candidate for aesthetic display.
• Edges & Corners: Upon close inspection, there is very minor whitening visible on the back top edge and a single, tiny white speck on the back bottom-left corner. These small imperfections are consistent with the Near Mint grade and do not detract from the overall eye appeal of the card.

Your card arrives professionally sleeved and housed in a rigid toploader to ensure it maintains this Near Mint state during transit and in your permanent collection.

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Why Collectors & Players Love This Card

The Base Set Magnemite holds a special place in the hearts of long-time fans. It captures the "industrial" side of the Kanto region and the early-game excitement of encountering electric-type Pokémon for the first time. For many, this specific card brings back memories of opening those first red, blue, and green booster packs on the school playground.

Gameplay Highlights:

• Thunder Wave: For a single Lightning Energy, Magnemite can deal 10 damage and potentially leave the Defending Pokémon Paralyzed with a successful coin flip, providing valuable crowd control in retro formats.
• Selfdestruct: A high-risk, high-reward move for its time, this attack deals a massive 40 damage—enough to knock out many other Basic Pokémon in the 1999 meta—though it requires Magnemite to deal 40 damage to itself and 10 damage to every Benched Pokémon.

Investment & Collectibility:

While Common in rarity, vintage Base Set cards in Near Mint condition are becoming increasingly difficult to source as the supply of "pack-fresh" vintage material continues to dwindle. Collectors often seek out high-grade Commons to fill out "Master Sets" or to preserve the history of the game's earliest iterations.

• Iconic Art Style: Keiji Kinebuchi was one of the primary architects of the TCG's early look, and his use of early CGI rendering for Magnemite gives the card a distinct, retro-tech feel that defines the 90s era of Pokémon.

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About NicestFinds

NicestFinds is your trusted source for retro gaming, Pokemon TCG singles, and pop culture collectibles. Every card in our store is hand-inspected, professionally sleeved, and packaged with care to arrive in the condition described. We're passionate collectors ourselves - so we treat every order the way we'd want our own packages treated. Shop with confidence backed by our 5-star seller reputation.

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Shipping & Packaging

Cards are shipped in a protective penny sleeve inside a rigid toploader, secured in a padded bubble mailer. Orders are dispatched within 1-2 business days. Tracked shipping options are available at checkout.

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