Alongside toys, cards were the playthings you might have been used to as a kid. If you’re a millennial, there are very high chances that you had a collection of Pokémon cards. If you do, you must remember how treasured the Charizard cards were. While the enigmatic and mesmerizing character has always been a hit with kids, Charizard cards are still sought by celebrities and vintage Pokémon collectors today. Should you be lucky to possess one of these rare cards, you could easily make a fortune.
How much, you might wonder, would people be willing to pay for a Charizard card? Depending on the unique Charizard in your possession, the answer to this question might surprise you. Charizard debuted in 1996 in what is known as the Base Set of Pokémon TCG. Subsequent releases have featured a Charizard card and, in total, forty-six Charizard cards have been released.
What Influences the Price of a Charizard Card?
- Features Charizard and its Trainer Lance
- Includes one foil promo card and one oversize card featuring Lance's Charizard V Dark Sylveon V
- Also includes two additional Pokemon TCG booster packs
- Gameplay mechanics from the original Pokemon TCG
Compared to other cards, Charizard cards are expensive for two main reasons. First, the cards are extremely rare. This, however, does not translate to instant riches if you’re holding onto one of those cards. The value of a card is determined by how it’s graded by the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). As you can expect, given the high value attached to Charizard cards, there are plenty of counterfeits around the world. Any serious collector will need confirmation of the authenticity and value using PSA standards.
While rarity is a huge plus for your Charizard card, an equally important consideration is the condition of the card. To get a great price, the card has to be in mint condition. The PSA grading system gives potential buyers a very clear picture of the card’s condition. The grading system attaches values from 1 to 10 on a card. For a card to fetch a good price, it should score above 9 on the PSA system. What this means is that you might possess a rare card, yet fail to get a good price because your card reeks of abuse and neglect.
In recent years, the demand for Charizard cards has skyrocketed, making most cards collectors’ items. When an item is demanded by the Hollywood set and other celebrities, the prices can be astounding. This is exactly what has happened with Charizard cards.
To help you discover the most expensive Charizard in the world, here is our list of the most highly valued Charizard cards today.
#10. 1999 Unlimited Base Set Charizard — $14,100
If you were a kid in 1999 and owned a pack of Pokémon cards, perhaps the best way to relive your childhood is by getting hold of the 1999 Unlimited Base Set Charizard card. The card is known to be the most graded in the history of Pokémon cards. While the prices of some of the most expensive Pokémon cards are mostly determined by their PSA grading, the 1999 Unlimited Base Set Charizard is a bit different.
Most collectors will only buy a card with a 10 PSA rating (see examples in the list below). Yet, for the 1999 Unlimited Base Set Charizard card, most buyers are not deterred by a low PSA rating. Just as kids craved this Charizard back in 1999, so are the adults doing anything to own this card today. The biggest motivation for getting this card for most people is the nostalgia associated with it.
A 1999 Unlimited Base Set Charizard in mint condition and a PSA rating of 10 could cost you over $14,000. However, the condition of the card, as we have observed, is never a real deterrent for collectors keen on getting this rare card. There are several thousand of these cards that have been graded now. You’ll find people who are willing to pay thousands of dollars for cards with PSA ratings lower than 9. With the demand for this card ever-rising, you can only expect the price of the 1999 Unlimited Base Set Charizard to keep rising.
#9. Staff Charizard-Holo # 11 — $17,000
Released in 2016, the Staff Charizard-Holo # 11 is one of the most expensive Charizards in the world. Since rarity is the prime driver of Charizard prices, you should expect all cards with the STAFF marking to be expensive because they are very rare.
While staff cards are no different from regular cards, you can only obtain them by working at a Pokémon TCG event. Every year, there are several official Pokémon events. If you volunteered to work at such an event, you could obtain rare cards. The biggest Pokémon event is the World Championship which is held every year. Since only a handful of people can work at such an event, you expect the number of staff cards to be very few.
Another thing that makes the Staff Charizard-Holo # 11 one of the most expensive Charizards in the world is the fact that Pokémon discontinued the production of staff cards in 2020. Should you have this particular card, or any other staff card, the fact that no more such cards will be issued means that the few available will be highly sought after. For a Staff Charizard-Holo # 11 with a PSA rating of 10, expect to pay more than $17,000.
#8. 2002 1st Edition Neo Destiny Shining Charizard — $20,250
Rarity, as noted above, is one of the biggest determinants of a Charizard’s price. The 2002 1st Edition Neo Destiny Shining Charizard is one of the rarest and, consequently, expensive cards.
Two factors contribute to this uniqueness. First, the manufacturers of these cards, Wizards of the Coast, had over the years discovered the popularity of the Charizard cards. New productions came with features absent in preceding cards. When Wizards of the Coast released the Neo Destiny 11th expansion in 2002, a rare shining Charizard was included. To make the card even more rare, only eight such cards were included. So you’d have to be very lucky to lay your hands on one in the first place.
In addition to the shining design feature, another factor that makes this card expensive is the fact that there are very few of them in the world. Since collectors only buy products in excellent condition, you can expect to part with a huge amount of money for this card. Globally, there are only two hundred such cards that meet the stringent PSA 10 grading.
#7. 1995 Japanese Topsun Holographic Prism Charizard — $25,000
Released in 1995, the Japanese Topsun Holographic Prism Charizard card is one of the rarest and most valuable Pokémon cards in the world. It was released exclusively in Japan as part of the Top Sun series, and only a limited number of cards were produced.
The card features a holographic image of Charizard, one of the most popular and iconic Pokémon in the franchise. Compared to other Charizard cards, the 1999 Japanese Topsun Holographic Prism Charizard has a unique design. It features a prism background with a holographic image of Charizard in the center, giving it a distinct and appealing appearance. Measuring 1.5 x 1 inch, this card is also smaller than the standard size of a Pokémon card, adding to its uniqueness.
The condition of your 1999 Topsun Holographic Prism Charizard card and its PSA rating are significant factors in determining its value. Being a very rare card, the price could range from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Overall, the Topsun Holographic Prism Charizard card is a highly sought-after collectible. To obtain this rarity, you should expect to pay upwards of $25,000.
#6. 2003 Skyridge Holographic Crystal Charizard — $25,100
The 2003 Skyridge Holographic Crystal Charizard is among the leading sought-after collectible among Pokémon enthusiasts. It is one of the rarest and most valuable cards in the franchise. The card stands out from the other cards in the Skyridge set because of the stunning holographic image of Charizard. The card also has a unique number, 251/100, making it an incredibly rare find. The Crystal Charizard card is also known for its powerful attack and defense stats. This also makes it a valuable addition to your deck.
The 2003 Skyridge Holographic Crystal Charizard is a valuable card for any player looking to build a strong and competitive deck. The prices of these cards are also pretty high. Courtesy of its rarity and popularity among collectors, the card can bring prices of up to $25,000 or more in mint condition. Of course, prices may vary depending on the condition of the card and other factors such as demand and availability.
#5. Charizard-Holo from Legendary Collection — $30,000
That Charizard is one of the most iconic and beloved Pokemon among gamers goes without saying. The Holo version from the Legendary Collection is highly coveted among collectors. This card was released in 2002 as part of the third expansion of the Legendary Collection, which featured reprints of some of the most popular cards from previous sets.
The Charizard-holo from the Legendary Collection has a base set number of 4/110 and is a Stage 2 Pokemon with 120 HP. When playing, this is one card that has awesome abilities. It is therefore much sought after by players who need a quality deck.
Because of its abilities in a game and its unique card number, this is a very rare card. Another factor that could contribute to the rarity of this card is the fact that the Legendary Collection was only released to the English-speaking markets. Unlike preceding versions, it was not available in Japan.
The Charizard-holo from the Legendary Collection is highly sought after by collectors. It can command prices ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on its condition and grading. Should you desire to get a PSA 10-graded Charizard-holo from the Legendary Collection, be ready to spend about $30,000.
#4. 1999 Shadowless Base Set Charizard — $31,211
Shadowless Pokémon cards first appeared in 1995. While there were new versions in 1996, 1998, and 1999, the Base set of 1999 remains the rarest as it was the first one released in English. Generally, shadowless cards were produced for a very limited period. Therefore, they are harder to get than subsequent versions of similar cards. Shadowless Pokémon cards are also pricey because of their history in the Pokémon franchise. These cards have respectability because they were among the earliest trading cards that Pokémon released. Like all vintage items, the 1999 Shadowless Base Set Charizard has immense historical nostalgia hence the high price.
While 1st Edition shadowless cards are usually priced much higher than later versions, one interesting fact makes the 1999 Shadowless Base Set Charizard worth more than its 1st edition predecessor. Today, it’s estimated that the number of 1999 Shadowless Base Set Charizard cards that meet a PSA grading of 10 are about fifty. However, only around hundred of the 1st edition cards exist. When you have such a tiny number of cards being chased by the world’s high and mighty, you expect the price to be sky-high. For this reason, the 1999 Shadowless Base Set Charizard could cost you upwards of $31,000.
#3. 1996 Japanese Base Set No Rarity Symbol Charizard — $58,000
If anything is going to mislead you about the rarity of the 1996 Japanese Base Set No Rarity Symbol Charizard card, it’s the “No Rarity Symbol” printed on it. Whenever you see a card with the “No Rarity Symbol” printed, you know that you are looking at a card with plenty of history.
Released in 1996, the Japanese Base Set No Rarity Symbol Charizard comes from the first print run. That alone should be enticing enough for collectors. Another factor that makes “no rarity symbol” cards expensive is the fact rarity symbols were introduced to subsequent expansions. That basically means that we don’t expect any more “no rarity symbol” cards to be produced and the prices of existing cards can only soar.
That the 1996 Japanese Base Set No Rarity Symbol Charizard card is rare is further reinforced by the fact that there are very few of them in the world. It’s estimated that the total number of these Charizard cards that have a PSA rating of 10 is only six. For this extremely rare and highly sought Charizard card, be ready to pay over $58,000 for a PSA 10.
#2. Gold Star Ex Dragon Frontiers Charizard — $60,000
Age and rarity make the Gold Star Ex Dragon Frontiers Charizard card one of the most expensive cards. Only collectors well-endowed with riches can dream of owning this rare card. The card was released in 2006 and was part of the Ex Dragon Frontiers expansion. When you look at Pokémon history, this card could be considered aged.
Apart from its history, the Gold Star Ex Dragon Frontiers Charizard card is an item of beauty. The card is designed quite unlike any other card. It’s called the Gold Star card because of a gold star that’s printed on the card and appears next to the name Pokémon. The card features a fiery-breathed Pokémon that stretches over the card’s border.
In addition to the card’s aesthetically unique design, what makes the Gold Star Ex Dragon Frontiers Charizard one of the most expensive cards in the world is the fact that only a handful of these cards are available. Only twenty-seven Gold Star Ex Dragon Frontiers Charizard cards were produced. If you wish to acquire one with a 10 PSA rating, be ready to spend over $60,000.
#1. 1999 1st Edition Charizard-Holo — $420,000
Now, the most expensive Charizard in the world! Would you believe that a card could cost $420,000? Well, that’s what the 1999 1st Edition Charizard-Holo brought at a PWCC auction in 2022. While this is a record for this extremely rare card, its popularity is borne out by its previous history. This card has consistently sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Before the new record, the card had sold for $226,000 in 2020 and a year later it sold for $369,000. Why these mind-boggling amounts, you might wonder?
First, the 1999 1st Edition Charizard-Holo is a very rare card. To get one such card with a PSA 10 grade, you might have to look far and wide. There are only about 120 such cards in existence. Clearly the cards are of extreme value. So you can expect that the ones in existence are in the hands of big-time collectors and celebrities who are unlikely to release them. Should another PSA 10 1999 1st Edition Charizard-Holo card appear at an auction, the price will almost certainly be higher than the current record. Another factor that makes the 1999 1st Edition Charizard-Holo one of the rarest, and therefore highly sought and pricey, is that it comes from the first American Pokémon set, which was released in 1999.
The Most Expensive Charizard: Bottom Line
From our review, you can see the incredible amounts of money a rare Charizard in good condition can bring. Charizard card prices are constantly soaring and the search for these cards is equivalent to a gold rush. When you consider that the prices of some Charizard cards could buy you a new car, buy an expensive holiday, or even pay your mortgage, you’ll be forgiven if you went rummaging through your childhood playthings in search of a card that you might have forgotten about.
While possession of a rare card does not guarantee instant wealth, the least you could do if you have one of these cards is to get it graded. As we have noted, cards with a 10 PSA rating fetch very high prices and have an insatiable ever-expanding market. Even when you don’t get the card graded, it helps to take great care of the cards you have because the condition of the card ultimately determines its price.
- $49.97Buy Now
- Features Charizard and its Trainer Lance
- Includes one foil promo card and one oversize card featuring Lance's Charizard V Dark Sylveon V
- Also includes two additional Pokemon TCG booster packs
- Gameplay mechanics from the original Pokemon TCG
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11/27/2023 05:47 am GMT
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