Meowth

The Legendary Collection, released in 2002, served as a retrospective set for the early years of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It was designed to consolidate popular cards from the original Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket expansions, allowing players to access staple cards that had become difficult to find as the game evolved. This specific printing of Meowth utilizes the original artwork by Ken Sugimori, maintaining the character's classic, mischievous aesthetic while framing it within the distinct, high-contrast holofoil borders that defined this set's visual identity.

The design of this release was intended to provide a polished, unified look for cards that had previously featured varied layouts across disparate sets. By applying the standardized Legendary Collection card face, the publisher provided collectors with a cohesive way to complete their early-generation sets. While the set was primarily functional for players looking to bolster their decks, the unique reverse-holofoil patterns introduced in this series made it a significant milestone for collectors, cementing its place as a nostalgic touchstone in the history of the hobby.