Smith-Waite Centennial Edition Set and Pocket Size Deck in Tin Comparison

Smith-Waite Tarot in a tin vs PCS Commemorative Set

Recently, I bought the Smith-Waite Tarot Deck Centennial Edition in a tin and compared it to the Pamela Colman Smith (PCS) Commemorative Set (2009) on video. In the video, I went through the whole set.  There is the major difference in size and similar card stock feel, but the artwork and color of the decks are identical. 

I like the deck that comes with the commemorative edition, but I avoid using it since I see it as a collectors edition and want to keep it in the best condition possible. I'm really enjoying the mini size and portability of the cards in a tin. It is smaller, but it loses no detail. And, it feels good in my hands! (See video and picture of size comparisons below.)

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I forgot to mention in the video that the Smith-Waite Centennial Deck came with two bonus cards from PCS's non-tarot artwork. It appears that the bonus cards that come with the deck may vary.

The one that is shown in this link on the US Games Inc website is a different image from the two I received. (See image below of the two that came with my deck.) You can use these as bookmarks! It would be fun to put these two cards into the deck for an extra twist to a reading! Please keep in mind that these are not meant to be used in a traditional tarot reading.

The cards are lovely to shuffle, the images are clear, and feel just like the deck in the PCS set. The only difference, of course, is felt in the size. 

Left to right: Mini Lo Scarabeo Secret Tarot, Mini Antiquarian Tarot, Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot that comes in a tin, Smith-Waite Centennial Tarot that comes with the Commemorative Set

Smith-Waite Tarot Deck Centennial Edition with two bonus cards. Left: Illustration by PCS for a children's book called Little Charles, 1903. Right: Illustration by PCS of a scene from Deirdre, Act III, 1903

L to R: Lo Scarabeo Secret Tarot mini, Smith-Waite Centennial Edition in tin, Antiquarian Tarot mini (bridge size)

​Bonus Cards

Edit: I keep getting questions about the bonus cards that come with the various Smith-Waite Centennial editions. These cards were illustrations from Pamela Colman Smith's various works outside of the tarot deck she created. 

US Games Inc. included them as fun extras. Maybe use them as bookmarks? They are not meant to be used with the traditional deck in traditional tarot readings. However, some people enjoy adding them to the deck for a fun oracular twist to their readings. But generally, these should be removed before doing a tarot reading.

Please read the comments for some ideas that people have had about these bonus cards when they come up in readings. One commenter has some interesting thoughts about the 'Grandmother' card being a very positive one that can be relevant for some people.