Topic hub
Pokémon Base Set Cards
Base Set is the 1999 debut Pokémon TCG release and the most collected English set. The holo rares (Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur) anchor demand, with 1st Edition and Shadowless printings carrying steep premiums over Unlimited. Grade and edition drive value more than any other factor.
Base Set is where most collectors start and where the biggest edition premiums live. Use this hub to identify which printing you have (1st Edition, Shadowless, or Unlimited) before you compare recent sold prices or decide whether a copy is worth grading.
Charizard 4/102
Base Set 1st Ed · 1999
1st Edition
BGS 8.5 median $25,967 · 6 sold
Machamp 8/102
Base Set 1st Ed · 1999
1st Edition
PSA 8 median $267 · 6 sold
Alakazam 1/102
Base Set · 1999
PSA 8 median $148 · 6 sold
Blastoise 2/102
Base Set 1st Ed · 1999
1st Edition
PSA 9 median $12,100 · 6 sold
Chansey 3/102
Base Set · 1999
PSA 10 median $8,700 · 6 sold
Clefairy 5/102
Base Set · 1999
PSA 9 median $295 · 6 sold
Gyarados 6/102
Base Set · 1999
PSA 8 median $150 · 6 sold
Hitmonchan 7/102
Base Set · 1999
PSA 8 median $199 · 6 sold
Mewtwo 10/102
Base Set 1st Ed · 1999
1st Edition
PSA 9 median $3,442 · 6 sold
Ninetales 12/102
Base Set · 1999
CGC 7.5 median $116 · 6 sold
Raichu 14/102
Base Set · 1999
PSA 9 median $3,979 · 6 sold
Venusaur 15/102
Base Set 1st Ed · 1999
1st Edition
PSA 9 median $8,900 · 6 sold
Related guides
Price research
See the ranked sold-price table
Compare recent verified sold medians across this cluster, ranked by grade.
Most valuable Base Set cards, ranked by sold pricePokémon Base Set Cards: FAQ
How do I tell if my Base Set card is 1st Edition, Shadowless, or Unlimited?+
1st Edition cards show a black "Edition 1" stamp to the left of the artwork. Shadowless cards have no stamp but lack the drop shadow along the right and bottom of the art frame. Unlimited cards have that shadow. The premium runs 1st Edition, then Shadowless, then Unlimited.
Which Base Set cards are worth the most?+
The holographic rares carry the most value, led by Charizard, then Blastoise and Venusaur. 1st Edition and high-grade (PSA/CGC/BGS 9 to 10) examples command the largest premiums. See the ranked value hub for current per-grade sold medians.