The original 1999 Pokemon cards are among the most collected in the hobby. Identify your printing (1st Edition, Shadowless, or Unlimited), then look up an estimate with a free account.
Card numbers and printings to look for. Values change, so this page lists no fixed prices; search the card in CardWorth for its current estimate.
| Card | Number | Printings |
|---|---|---|
| Charizard | 4/102 | 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings |
| Blastoise | 2/102 | 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings |
| Venusaur | 15/102 | 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings |
| Mewtwo | 10/102 | 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings |
| Pikachu (Red Cheeks) | 58/102 | Non-holo; early printings have red cheeks |
| Gyarados | 6/102 | 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings |
| Raichu | 14/102 | 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings |
| Ninetales | 12/102 | 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited printings |
The original Base Set print run from January 1999. Identified by the "1st Edition" stamp on the left side of the card, below the HP number. This was a limited production run, and these cards are usually valued above the Unlimited version; how much depends on the card and condition.
An early print run of Unlimited Base Set — no shadow appears under the card art box. No "1st Edition" stamp, but still scarce. Shadowless cards were printed before Wizards of the Coast updated the card frame to add the shadow. Usually valued above the regular Unlimited version.
The standard Base Set printing with a visible shadow under the card art box and no 1st Edition stamp. Still has a drop shadow on the card image frame and the Wizards copyright symbol. Even Unlimited Base Set holos in good condition are collectible.
Condition can change a Base Set card's value substantially. Here's what each grade means:
No visible wear. Crisp edges, clean holo surface, no scratches. The card looks essentially as if it came straight out of the pack. Price guides often treat this as the baseline.
Minor edge wear, slight surface scratches on holo, minimal whitening. Still a presentable card for display or grading attempts. Most older cards fall here.
Noticeable edge wear, whitening, or holo scratches. May have minor bends. Played in a deck without sleeves, or stored loosely. Still collectible but significantly discounted.
Heavy wear throughout — creases, major scratches, edge damage, surface scuffs. Still has collector value for completing sets but far below Near Mint pricing.
CardWorth's catalog estimates are for raw cards and are not condition-specific. Record your copy's condition in your collection; a graded copy is never priced from a raw quote.
Look for the '1st Edition' stamp on the left side of the card, just below the HP number. 1st Edition cards are valued differently from Unlimited prints. Shadowless cards (no shadow under the card image box) are also a distinct, scarcer printing.
The holos such as Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur and Mewtwo draw the most collector interest, and 1st Edition and Shadowless printings usually sell for more than Unlimited. CardWorth does not publish fixed prices on this page: create a free account and search the card to see its current estimate. Values are estimates, not guaranteed sale prices, and each shows when it was last updated.
Base Set cards from 1999 are collectible, especially holos, but value depends heavily on edition, condition and the specific card. Look up each card to see an estimate where one is available.
Yes, condition matters a great deal. Catalog estimates in CardWorth are for raw cards and are not condition-specific, so treat them as a starting point; you record the condition of your own copies. A graded copy is never priced from a raw quote.
CardWorth does not give financial advice. Past price changes do not predict future prices. Use the estimates and your own research to decide.
Free account for price search. AI photo scanning is a Pro feature.
Prices are estimates derived from pokemontcg.io (TCGplayer market data) and BrickLink sold data. Prices are refreshed on a schedule, typically every few days, not in real time. Not a professional appraisal. About our data