How much is base set charizard worth

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History of your Charizard Card

Before we begin, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the factors which determine the value of your Charizard card. To get the most money for your Charizard Pokemon card, if you’re like me, you’ll want to educate yourself a little bit before.

If you don’t want to spend the time, you can always send us a picture of your Charizard or collection and we’ll tell you how much it’s worth.

When it comes to Pokemon cards in general, I’m the biggest nerd you’ll ever meet! I hope this guide on Charizard cards will help you determine the best solution when it comes to selling or finding the value of your old Pokemon cards.

The First Charizard Card ever printed

The first Charizard card ever printed was in 1995 in Japan. These cards are called “Topsun” cards and have the potential of being incredibly valuable.

The Pokemon craze had yet to hit North America as the Japanese Pokemon market was starting to really take off.

1995 Nintendo Charizard Japanese Pokemon Card

If you have something similar to what’s pictured above, your Pokemon card is likely real, however, the condition of the one above is Gem Mint meaning perfect condition. The better the condition, the more money it will bring.

Counterfeits, or fake cards, are prominent among collections. It’s important to realize you may have a fake card and it would be worth nothing in the market. If you are buying Pokemon cards, read our section about spotting Fake Charizard cards so you do not get ripped off. 

A year later, October 20th, 1996, Japan released the official Pokemon Base Set in Japanese which was the first official Pokemon set ever released.

Remember, the chance of pulling a Charizard card from a pack of Pokemon cards was and still is, incredibly rare. The combination of having a cool orange/red dragon artwork along with a low pull-rate means only one thing… A very rare card!

1996 Japanese Charizard Pokemon Card

Japanese counterfeit cards are not as common as the English versions, however, they do exist. We’re almost always able to spot a fake card simply from the image, as long as the image is clear.

Security features like we have today, textured layers, optically variable holo foils, and advanced printing techniques, etc. have made counterfeiting high-quality Pokemon cards today near impossible. Fake Charizard cards look pretty obviously fake, but we’ll get more into spotting fakes a bit later in this post.

Before moving on to the next section it’s good to know the difference between 1st edition, shadowless, and shadow (unlimited) Charizard holographic cards.

1st Edition cards have a stamp at the lower left corner outside of the Charizard holo portrait.

Shadowless cards have no 1st ed stamp, and no shadow to the right of Charizard.

Unlimited cards, sometimes called “with shadow” cards, have a shadow to the right of Charizard.

The picture above is the holy grail of Pokemon cards, the 1st edition, shadowless, Charizard card. The card was illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, who still actively autographs Pokemon cards today.

The card number, shown at the bottom right corner of the card, is 4/102. If you have a card similar to the one pictured above, you may have something incredibly valuable.

I vividly remember running around my elementary schoolyard trading Pokemon cards with fellow classmates. However, I never owned a 1st edition Charizard card until much later in my life when I had the money to afford one.

1st Edition Symbol

If your Pokemon card has the 1st edition symbol, as shown above, anywhere on your card, you could have something worth a lot of money. Watch out, you may have a fake first edition stamp. Later I will show you how to spot a non-genuine 1st ed stamp.

High quality fake first edition stamps exist, however being able to see if it’s fake or not is best determined in person. It’s extremely hard to tell if a 1st edition stamp is fake from a picture, especially if you’re new to collecting as I was many years ago.

Shadowless Charizard Pokemon Card

Personally one of my favorite cards is the Shadowless Charizard. This card is called Shadowless because of the missing shadow on the right side of Charizard. I will show an example of a shadowed card below.

This was the second printing of English Pokemon base set. This is the order:

• 1st Edition
• Shadowless
• Unlimited (with Shadow)

Shadowless cards for all base set Pokemon will bring more money than the Unlimited (Shadow) version of every card. Each card has a 1st edition, shadowless, and unlimited version when it comes to base set Pokemon.

Unlimited Charizard, with Shadow

The last Charizard printed for 1999 Base set Pokemon was the one pictured above, also known as “Unlimited” due to the unlimited print run for the set. These cards all come with a shadow on the border to the right of Charizard.

Of the three (1st edition, shadowless, unlimited) the unlimited release is the least valuable. Don’t get discouraged, as mint condition old Charizard cards can still fetch a premium in the market.

Base Set 2, Charizard

The card shown above has the same artwork as the previous Charizards except for the Card Number (bottom right corner of the card) and the set symbol, shown at the bottom right corner outside of the Charizard design.

Base set 2 Pokemon cards are any card you see with the number “2” set symbol at the bottom right, outside of the artwork.  These cards will be worth considerably less money than their counterparts from the original Base set Pokemon.

This is for a number of reasons, but the main reason being “Base set” was the first set and the print runs were smaller. Base set 2 was printed in large quantities. The exact print quantity was never released by Wizards of the Coast.

Non-Holo Charizard, Legendary Collection

The above Charizard is the first Non-holo version of Charizard ever printed, meaning the Box which Charizard is in isn’t holographic. These cards are worth considerably less than their holo counterparts, simply because holo cards are harder to obtain, especially in mint condition.

Holo Charizard, Legendary Collection

Cards from the Legendary Collection set can be easily distinguished by the set symbol, a badge, outside the bottom right corner of the Charizard portrait.

The example above is a holographic Charizard, worth much more than the non-holo version. This is pretty consistent among all Pokemon cards. If you have a holo and non-holo version, the holo version will almost always be worth more money.

Reverse Holo Charizard, Legendary Collection

Last, but not least, is the Reverse holotype Charizard from the Legendary Collection set. These Charizard cards are visually blinding but very valuable in mint condition.

Everything outside the Charizard box is holographic, making it extremely susceptible to scratches. This means mint condition cards are hard to come by and will be worth a considerable amount of money.

Holo Charizard from 2002

Holo Charizard Pokemon cards will almost always be worth more than their non-holo counterparts, especially in pristine condition. They almost always have different card numbers, seen in the bottom right corner of the card. This holo Charizard from the Pokemon Expedition set is numbered 6/165 while the non-holo version below is numbered 40/165.

Non-Holo Charizard from 2002

You can expect your non-holo Charizard card to be worth about a quarter or half the value of the same card in holographic form. This is typical because the print runs for non-holo were larger, plus holographic cards just look cooler to collectors.

The last Charizard Pokemon card from this set we’re going to discuss has different artwork. This card is numbered 39/165 and comes in Holo, Non-Holo, and Reverse holo form. The holotype will always be worth the most.

In 2008 a similar design Charizard was produced but from a more modern set called the Pokemon Stormfront set. We’ve paid upwards of $1,000 for a card just like the one pictured above, so it’s not a Pokemon to take lightly.

This set, like many others, had a very small pull rate for the Charizard card which was holographic. Today these cards are very hard to come by in mint condition and demand a huge premium in the market.

The later the Pokemon card set was printed, the less valuable it may be. This is common for all Pokemon cards however it’s not always 100% accurate. The holo Charizard 103/100 from Stormfront is a perfect example of a valuable card even with a later print date.

When it comes to the Charizard card and its history, the Pokemon/Nintendo company is constantly designing and releasing new sets with Charizard in them. If you’re interested in learning about the 40 different cards printed for Charizard since the release you can visit Bulbapedia for more information.

Now, it’s time to understand a major factor when determining the value of any Pokemon card.

The grade, or condition, is typically based on a 10-point numerical scale used across all grading companies, CGC, BGS, and PSA.

Certified Guaranty Company defines a 10 as “The card must have perfect centering and no evidence of any manufacturing or handling defects.”

The Grading Scale

Gem Mint Charizard Pokemon Card

The highest grade possible is Gem Mint or Perfect, this means there are no signs of wear, handling, and the card is perfectly centered.

One of the most important factors when determining the grade is the centering.

With trading cards, sometimes an extremely poorly centered card will be considered an error card and bring a premium.

Off-center Charizard Pokemon Card

The above image is a perfect example of a Charizard card that is so poorly centered, collectors call these cards Off-center. Off-centered cards are done during the printing process and is completely normal. There are however some people who specifically collect this type of Pokemon.

In an ideal world, all bills would be printed equally and perfect… with perfect centering and no flaws.

This, however, is not the case. A poorly centered Pokemon card, gem mint or not, takes away from the Pokemon cards overall eye-appeal and should always be taken into consideration when evaluating high-grade Charizard Pokemon cards. There are certain collectors who collect specifically off-centered Pokemon cards.

Regardless of the grade or appearance, we buy all 1st edition Charizard cards. Contact us today if you have Pokemon cards you want to sell.

Near Mint Charizard Pokemon Card

Don’t be fooled, the picture above may look to be in spectacular condition but it’s not.

This 1st edition Charizard card was graded PSA  8.5, meaning it’s Near Mint (NM). Pokemon cards that are NM have small handling defects. Centering of the margins is still a value factor even on NM trading cards.

This is a reason why Third Party Grading companies, like PSA, are so important to this hobby.

If you send me a picture of a Charizard card you want to sell, it can be difficult to tell the exact grade from a photo.

But don’t worry, there are ways around this if you were selling your raw Pokemon collection to a trading card expert online.

Let us know if you have a Pokemon collection you want to sell.

Excellent Charizard Pokemon Card

You can start to see a difference in quality once the grade gets into Excellent (EX). Pokemon cards that are EX, numerically 5 or 5.5, are moderately played cards with small and moderate defects.

As seen in the picture above you can see heavy scratching across the entire holographic area. If seen in person, the card would show signs of play and handling. These are all value factors for all collectible trading cards.

First edition Charizard cards from base set will typically show more signs of handling, and be lower grade. This is due to the limited number printed with heavy handling during the cards’ lifetime.

Remember these cards often passed through many hands on the playground. I vividly remember the first time I saw a Charizard card was in 3rd grade. They were the pinnacle of Pokemon and not many kids had the opportunity to own such a rare card.

All of the above Charizard cards are not typical, you don’t normally see them in EX or higher grades.

Very Good Charizard Pokemon Card

Very Good (VG) Pokemon cards will be heavily played cards with some major defects. Numerically, a VG Pokemon card will be graded 3 or 3.5 on the grading scale.

The above picture is a perfect example of just that. These Pokemon cards will typically look heavily played and handled.

Most Charizard cards we buy look just like this, and we can pay the most competitive price for these. Collectors typically don’t want to spend thousands of dollars for a 1st edition Charizard so a VG graded Pokemon is often a sweet price point for many.

Poor Charizard Pokemon Card

I couldn’t find an image of a completely destroyed Charizard, but I’ve owned plenty during my time collecting. Even cards that look like above, if rare enough, can be worth money.

You may be wondering if I would buy a Pokemon card in this poor of condition… the answer is most definitely YES.

A Pokemon card in Poor (P) condition will look similar to the card pictured above. These Charizard cards show evidence of considerable play with soiling, stains, splits, tears and paper pulls are all common for the grade.

Numerically the Poor grade has a special place for a single “1” grade and that is the lowest the scale goes.

We love buying low grade Charizard cards from collectors around the United States.

Most 1st edition Pokemon cards we see are lower grades like this due to their long-time spent in circulation. Pokemon cards that look like this have spent a lot of time in the pockets of eager children who love Pokemon.

Many people think if they have a Charizard card they’ve hit the jackpot, which can be the case sometimes. If your card looks like the one above it may not get much love from most people. But we’d love to buy it!

Some collectors really enjoy collecting beat up Charizard cards, that’s just their thing, we’re one of them!

I love collecting primarily old Charizard cards from many different Pokemon sets. It’s what I grew up with, its very nostalgic, and I usually pay a pretty penny to get the cards into my collection.

How do I see what grade my card is?

Third-party professional grading companies, like PSA, BGS, and CGC, focus solely on doing this for their customers. They essentially grade the card, put it in a clear holder, with a label that explains the details of the card.

PSA 9 Charizard Pokemon Card

This takes the guesswork out of seeing a raw (no holder) card and not being sure if it’s an EX or Gem Mint.

The difference between EX, NM, or Mint can literally be hundreds, if not thousands (at times) dollars.

While lower-graded Pokemon cards are easier to determine the grade from a picture; high-graded Pokemon are much different.

Some cards are inked and cleaned, making conditions extremely difficult to see in pictures.

If you have an old Charizard card you’re interested in selling or want to know its value, send us a picture and we’ll be glad to help.

Whatever you do, do not bring your collection to a pawn shop or card shop who doesn’t know its true value. Contact a trading card expert to get the most for your collection.

Let’s discuss the types of Charizard cards. Charizard cards come from many different sets printed at different periods of time. Depending on when yours was printed could mean the difference of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The majority of Charizards we see are poor condition GX-era cards. These are considered one of the most common types and is likely the type of Charizard you have in your hands.

The condition, artwork, and language are all very important when trying to determine the value of any Charizard or Pokemon card in general.

Cheap vs Expensive Charizards

If you’re trying to figure out the difference between a cheap Charizard and an expensive one, the first place you’ll look at is the type of card.

Sometimes it’s hard to determine the type of card you have, which is why you should follow this guide. If your card looks similar to the one pictured below, there’s a chance your card isn’t worth very much, especially if the condition is played.

Sometimes a few key indicators can mean the difference between an expensive and cheap Pokemon card. The above diagram shows a card, to the left, that is extremely expensive vs a card, to the right, that is very cheap in played condition.

The thing about expensive and cheap Pokemon cards is the market is constantly changing. New release Charizard cards have a chance to be valuable depending on numerous factors that we go over in this guide. If you’re unsure what you have, feel free to contact us today we’d be glad to help you!

The value of this Charizard GX in played condition is about $15. When on the other hand if you were to have a 1st edition Charizard from base set in played condition, as shown earlier in the guide, you’d be looking at potentially thousands of dollars in your hand.

Charizard GX cards were printed in the masses, and relatively brand new being printed in 2019. A general rule of thumb for modern Charizard cards is the cooler the artwork, the more money it will potentially bring.

Charizards are quite literally the pinnacle Pokemon card when it comes to the game, both from playability to collectability. This is the card that everyone wanted growing up, and to this day is still the card everyone wants.

High-grade condition Charizard cards

When it comes to pristine condition Charizard cards, they will almost always fetch a premium over poor condition cards regardless of their type. This is simply due to the supply and demand of perfect condition Pokemon cards in the market.

The majority of cards opened are by a younger generation, and they tend to handle and play with the cards while older generations will put the cards directly into a protective holder.

It’s a general rule of thumb that the better the condition, the more money it will bring in an auction or sale.

Low print run Charizards

Again, this circles back to the general subject of supply and demand. Put a very popular Charizard card with low print runs into the market and it’s going to be worth money.

We’re always buying all types of Charizard cards that are from low and high print runs, this is simply because we love collecting Pokemon cards.

One of the lowest print runs is arguably the 1st edition Pokemon cards from base set. While there were no official numbers ever released to the public, it’s known to be one of the shortest print runs for Pokemon.

Error or Misprinted Charizard cards

I’ve seen many Error Pokemon cards through my years of collecting and I guarantee that Charizard cards have the least amount of errors on them.

Why? Because the combination of high demand for Charizard and the fact many collectors love errors makes these incredibly hard to find when they do come around.

Whether the card is off-center or it’s entirely an error with a missing print or upside down back, the card will bring a nice premium. If you think you have a misprinted card, check out this extensive guide we wrote all about error Pokemon cards.

Charizard error cards are rare, and they are usually minor. Error cards will typically be worth 2 to 3 times over their typical value depending on if you find the right buyer.

If you need help determining if your Charizard is an error card send us a clear picture and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

We get hundreds of frequently asked questions each week via calls, emails, and text messages.

Before contacting us, we wanted to answer any basic questions you have about your antique 1st edition Charizard Pokemon card.

If you don’t see your question below or are interested in selling your Charizard card to us, feel free to contact us today.

Old Charizard Card Questions

Why Don’t I See My Charizard Card In Your Price Guide?: Our price guide mainly shows the older generation Charizard cards. You’re in luck… we definitely buy all Pokemon cards even from newer sets.

What Is An Error Charizard Card Worth?: Misprinted, or error, Charizard cards are extremely scarce and when they do appear, the errors are super minor. I’ve never seen a dramatic error on a Charizard card due to the limited quantity of them printed. We wrote a bit more in-depth about Pokemon card errors in a section located above. Error Charizard cards typically bring a small premium above their normal value.

How Much Is A Charizard Worth?: The quick answer is most Charizard cards will be worth $25 to $30,000. Some are only worth $200 if they’re in very poor condition. In very rare instances your Charizard card could be worth close to $100,000. It depends upon multiple factors including condition, set, edition, eye appeal, market demand, and more.

Can I Get A Charizard From A Store Today?: Sure. You could go to a local store right now, buy a pack and potentially pull a Charizard card.

How Do I Know Charizard Is Real?: We touched on proxy Charizard cards earlier in the guide. Essentially there are multiple factors that help determine the authenticity of your Pokemon card. To learn more, find the section above that talks more in-depth about counterfeit Charizard cards.

Why Doesn’t Wizards of the Coast Print Old Charizard Anymore?: Luckily for collectors, the Pokemon/Nintendo company no longer prints the original set from Pokemon. Reprints are something that hurts the value of any collectible.

What Do Counterfeit Charizard Cards Look Like?: Pokemon cards that are black/white, laminated, smaller, or larger than typical Pokemon cards, are all going to be fake. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Please send us a picture if you want your Charizard to be authenticated.

What Is The Most Expensive Charizard Cards?: Without a doubt the first edition Charizard cards from base set in perfect condition are the most expensive. Contact us for more information.

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