Articuno No. 144 – Mystery of the Fossils – Rare Holo – Old Back (JP)
Introduction
Freeze Dry and Blizzard give Articuno a cold-weather identity within the fossil expansion. Mitsuhiro Arita illustrates the 70 HP Basic Pokémon from Kanto's legendary bird trio. This is the Japanese Mystery of the Fossils printing, identified by No. 144, with the original Pocket Monsters card back. The illustration is credited to Mitsuhiro Arita, with the condition of this individual copy detailed below.
Card Details
- Pokémon: Articuno
- Set: Mystery of the Fossils
- Japanese Set Name: 化石の秘密
- English Expansion Reference: Fossil — separate release and checklist
- Card Number: No. 144 (National Pokédex number)
- Rarity: Rare Holo
- Language: Japanese
- Card Back: Japanese Old Back
- Illustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita
- Condition: Near Mint as recorded in the supplied inventory; physical condition awaits confirmation from individual front and back photographs.
- Finish: Holofoil
About the Pokémon
Articuno is the Freeze Pokémon, recorded as No. 144 in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation I, associated with the Kanto generation of games. Its mythology links it to remote, frozen mountain landscapes. Its status as a Legendary Pokémon is part of its wider franchise identity.
About the Expansion
Mystery of the Fossils was released in Japan on 21 June 1997 as the third main expansion. Its 48-card checklist features prehistoric Pokémon alongside ghosts, legendary birds and other Kanto species. The Japanese release includes Mew and retains the original Pocket Monsters card back, distinguishing it from the later English expansion.
Artwork & Collector's Notes
Mitsuhiro Arita is credited for this Mystery of the Fossils illustration of Articuno. The holofoil finish, original Pocket Monsters reverse and Japanese text identify this printing. The No. 144 identifier is a Pokédex number, not an English set checklist position.
Photographs: Actual-card photographs are pending.