Shapesnatch [1st Edition] #PGD-002

Shapesnatch [1st Edition] #PGD-002 collector guide

About Shapesnatch

Shapesnatch is a Normal Monster, with flavour text instead of an effect, printed as PGD-002 in Pharaonic Guardian (2003) as a Common. It is a Level 5 DARK Machine monster with 1,200 ATK and 1,700 DEF. At its Level it needs one Tribute to Normal Summon. Pharaonic Guardian is the Ancient Egypt-themed set of 2003 that brought the Gravekeeper's monsters and Necrovalley, alongside cards such as Ring of Destruction and Don Zaloog. Ungraded, this printing ranks 210th of the 216 Pharaonic Guardian cards we track. The top card is Ring of Destruction at €35.21.

Character and collecting appeal

Machines range from early robots to modern archetypes, and the Type has a loyal following. Normal Monsters like this one are mostly collected for their art and to complete the set.

Version and identification

This guide covers the 1st Edition printing. The words "1st Edition" are printed below the artwork on the left; copies without them are the Unlimited printing and usually sell for less. Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read PGD-002. The code PGD-002, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as PGD-E002, and are priced separately. It is the Common version. Commons have a plain name and no foil. Pharaonic Guardian has one other printing of Shapesnatch: PGD-002 (€0.28). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €0.12, a PSA 9 for €5.35 and a PSA 10 for €33.34. Our monthly prices for it go back to June 2022. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are down 94%, and down 14% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €3.23 in December 2022, 96% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved down 28% over the same 12 months. Unusually, Unlimited copies currently sell for as much as or more than 1st Edition ones (€0.28 against €0.12).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 277.8× the ungraded price and 6.2× a PSA 9. That gap is small, so grading fees may outweigh the gain unless the card is for your own collection. Early English Yu-Gi-Oh! cards often have off-centre cuts and wear on the dark brown back borders, which is why high grades are hard to reach.

Investment potential

In its favour: a price well below its December 2022 peak, which some collectors see as room to recover; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; an active market (25 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Against it: falling prices, down 94% in a year. Past prices do not guarantee future ones. This is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €0.12 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €5.35. Ask the seller to show the code PGD-002, the "1st Edition" text and the Common finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. Cards from 2003 often show white wear on the back edges and corners, so ask for photos of the back before you buy.

Card details and image from YGOPRODeck. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trademark of Konami; Search Cards is not affiliated with Konami.