The Charizard 1st Edition from the Base Set is undeniably the most famous and most sought-after Pokemon card in the world. Since its release in 1999, this holographic card has experienced an absolutely spectacular price trajectory, rising from a few dozen euros to several hundred thousand. Whether you are a passionate collector, a savvy investor, or simply curious to understand the phenomenon, this complete analysis traces the evolution of the Charizard price through the years and gives you all the keys to understanding the current market.
In this article, we will examine in detail the price history, the different existing versions and their respective values, the considerable impact of PSA grading on value, the specificities of the French market, and finally the outlook for the years ahead. Essential reading for anyone interested in the value of the Charizard card.
Charizard: the most iconic Pokemon card in the world
When the Pokemon Trading Card Game appeared in Japan in 1996 under the direction of Media Factory, nobody imagined the scale of the phenomenon that would follow. Among the 102 cards of the original Base Set, only one managed to capture the imagination of millions of players and collectors: the holographic Charizard, bearing the number 4/102.
Several factors explain this lasting fascination. First, Charizard is the final evolution of the fire starter Charmander, one of the three most popular starter Pokemon from the video game. Its powerful "Fire Spin" attack dealing 100 damage made it one of the most formidable cards in the game. Second, the illustration by Mitsuhiro Arita, depicting the fire-breathing dragon against a shimmering holographic background, possesses a timeless aesthetic quality that continues to fascinate nearly three decades later.
But it is above all the relative rarity of this card that fueled its legend. In Base Set booster packs, rare holographic cards represented only a tiny fraction of available cards. Finding a holographic Charizard in a booster pack was a memorable event for any child in the 1990s. This combination of character popularity, in-game power, artistic beauty, and rarity created the perfect cocktail to make the Base Set Charizard the absolute Holy Grail of Pokemon card collectors.
The 1st Edition version, identifiable by the small "1st Edition" logo (or "Edition 1" on French versions) printed to the left of the artwork, is the most prized of all. This marking indicates that it comes from the very first print run of the card, which gives it a special status among collectors who seek authenticity and age. To learn more about the rarest French cards, check out our guide Top 10 rarest French cards.
Charizard Base Set 1st Edition price history
The price history of the Charizard 1st Edition is a true economic story. It perfectly illustrates how a collectible item can go from being a children's toy to a full-fledged investment asset. Let us trace this evolution decade by decade.
1999 - 2010: the era of accessibility
At its release in 1999, a Charizard 1st Edition was traded in schoolyards for a few dozen francs, the equivalent of 30 to 80 euros. Even on the first online marketplaces like eBay, prices remained modest: between 50 and 200 dollars for a copy in good condition. Cards in mint condition, which today would be graded PSA 9 or 10, could be found for between 300 and 500 dollars -- a considerable price for the time but laughable compared to future highs.
During this first decade, most Charizard owners were children or teenagers who played with their cards. Many copies were damaged, bent, or simply lost. Without knowing it, these players were considerably reducing the stock of copies in good condition, thus preparing the ground for the future price explosion.
2010 - 2019: the rise of nostalgia
Starting from the early 2010s, the generation that grew up with Pokemon in the 1990s began entering the workforce. Now with disposable income, these thirty-somethings started buying back the cards of their childhood, fueling a first wave of price increases. The Charizard 1st Edition graded PSA 10 crossed the symbolic 10,000 dollar mark in 2013, before gradually climbing to 20,000-30,000 dollars around 2018-2019.
In parallel, the grading market developed. PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) became the undisputed reference for evaluating the condition of Pokemon cards, bringing much-needed standardization and transparency to the market. Population reports, revealing the exact number of copies graded at each level, highlighted the extreme rarity of Charizard 1st Edition cards in perfect condition. To understand the differences between certification organizations, we recommend our article PSA vs CGC: which certification to choose?
2020: the historic explosion
The year 2020 will be forever etched in the history of the Pokemon card market. Several factors combined to create a perfect storm. The Covid-19 pandemic confined millions of people at home, reigniting interest in collecting hobbies. Economic stimulus checks in the United States injected considerable liquidity into the economy. But the real catalyst was the American YouTuber Logan Paul, whose Base Set 1st Edition booster box opening videos accumulated tens of millions of views.
In October 2020, a Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless PSA 10 sold for 220,574 dollars at auction, setting a record at the time. This record would be shattered a few months later. The market took on an unprecedented media dimension, attracting traditional investors, celebrities, and speculators who had sometimes never touched a Pokemon card.
2021 - 2023: the peak and the correction
The first quarter of 2021 marked the absolute peak of the market. In January 2021, Logan Paul himself bought a Charizard 1st Edition PSA 10 for 150,000 dollars. In March 2021, another PSA 10 copy sold for 399,750 dollars. Some private transactions reportedly exceeded half a million dollars. The Charizard PSA 10 price had been multiplied by more than 20 in barely two years.
However, as with any speculative market, a correction was inevitable. Starting from mid-2022, prices began to decline. Rising interest rates, the return to normal life post-pandemic, and the fading of the media effect all contributed to a market cleansing. PSA 10s were trading around 200,000 to 300,000 dollars by late 2023 -- a significant drop from the peaks but a level that remained astronomical compared to pre-2020 prices.
2024 - 2026: stabilization and mature market
The Charizard 1st Edition market has reached a maturity phase. Prices have stabilized at high levels, now reflecting more organic and less speculative demand. In 2025-2026, a Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless PSA 10 trades in a range of 250,000 to 400,000 euros, depending on the specific conditions of each copy and the market dynamics at the time of sale.
Intermediate grades have also found their equilibrium. A PSA 9 sits between 30,000 and 50,000 euros, while a PSA 8 fluctuates between 10,000 and 18,000 euros. Lower grades, more accessible, allow a wider audience to own this piece of history. This price stratification by grade has helped structure and professionalize the market.
The different Charizard versions and their values
There are numerous Charizard versions across the different Pokemon TCG expansions. Each has its own characteristics and its own market value. Here is an overview of the most important versions and their current estimated values.
Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless (English): the absolute reference
This is the most famous and most expensive version. The term "Shadowless" refers to the absence of a drop shadow on the right side of the artwork border, a feature specific to the very first print runs of the English edition. Only the first batches printed in 1999 have this characteristic, making them the rarest and most sought-after copies. In PSA 10, expect 250,000 to 400,000 euros. In PSA 9, the range is 30,000 to 50,000 euros. An ungraded copy in good condition can still be worth between 5,000 and 15,000 euros.
Base Set 1st Edition (French): the hidden treasure
The French version of the Charizard 1st Edition (known as "Dracaufeu" in French) is a true treasure for European collectors. French print runs were significantly lower than English ones, making these copies objectively rarer. The "Edition 1" logo in French and the name "Dracaufeu" (instead of "Charizard") give this card a unique identity. Prices for PSA-graded copies are steadily increasing, with PSA 9s reaching 15,000 to 30,000 euros and PSA 10s being even rarer and more highly valued.
Base Set Unlimited: the accessible entry point
The Unlimited version of the Base Set, recognizable by the absence of the 1st Edition logo and the presence of a shadow on the border, was printed in much larger quantities. This is the version that most players in the 1990s owned. Despite higher print runs, a PSA 10 copy is still worth between 3,000 and 6,000 euros. A PSA 9 sits between 800 and 1,500 euros, and an ungraded copy in good condition between 100 and 400 euros. It is the ideal entry point for anyone wishing to own an original holographic Charizard without spending a fortune.
Base Set 2 Charizard
Released in 2000, Base Set 2 was a reprint of the original Base Set with a slightly different booster design. The Charizard from this expansion is visually identical to the Base Set Unlimited one. Prices are generally lower than the Base Set: a PSA 10 trades between 1,500 and 3,000 euros, a PSA 9 between 400 and 800 euros. While less prestigious than the original Base Set, it remains an interesting alternative for collectors on a limited budget.
Shining Charizard - Neo Destiny
The Shining Charizard from the Neo Destiny expansion (2002) is an exceptional card. The first "Shining" card of Charizard, it features a unique illustration where the dragon appears in a chromatic (shiny) version. The Shining cards from Neo Destiny are among the rarest in the Pokemon TCG. A 1st Edition PSA 10 copy can reach 20,000 to 40,000 euros, while a PSA 9 fluctuates between 5,000 and 10,000 euros. It is one of the most respected vintage Charizard cards among knowledgeable collectors.
Charizard ex, Charizard VMAX Rainbow: premium modern versions
Modern expansions have also produced premium Charizard versions that attract collector attention. The Charizard VMAX Rainbow Secret Rare from the Darkness Ablaze expansion (2020) saw considerable hype, with PSA 10s selling between 400 and 800 euros at their peak. Charizard ex cards from recent expansions, particularly the art rare and special art rare versions, trade between 50 and 300 euros depending on the edition and grade. These modern cards represent an excellent entry point into collecting premium Charizard cards.
The impact of PSA grade on Charizard price
The PSA grade is arguably the most determining factor in the value of a Charizard card. The price difference between one grade and the next can be staggering, especially at the highest grades. Understanding this dynamic is essential for any buyer or seller.
Here is a summary table of approximate prices for a Charizard Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless (English) by PSA grade, updated for early 2026:
| PSA Grade | Price Range (EUR) | Estimated Population |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 (Gem Mint) | 250,000 - 400,000 € | ~120 copies |
| PSA 9 (Mint) | 30,000 - 50,000 € | ~1,000 copies |
| PSA 8 (Near Mint - Mint) | 10,000 - 18,000 € | ~2,500 copies |
| PSA 7 (Near Mint) | 5,000 - 9,000 € | ~2,800 copies |
| PSA 6 (Excellent - Near Mint) | 3,500 - 6,000 € | ~2,000 copies |
The most striking point is the multiplier between PSA 9 and PSA 10. While the difference between a PSA 6 and a PSA 7, or between a PSA 7 and a PSA 8, remains relatively proportional, the jump from PSA 9 to PSA 10 results in a price multiplication by a factor of 6 to 10. This phenomenon is explained by the population reports.
PSA population reports are public data that indicate how many copies of a given card have been graded at each level. For the Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless, only about 120 copies have achieved the perfect PSA 10 grade out of the thousands submitted. This extremely low number, combined with sustained global demand, explains the stratospheric prices of PSA 10s.
It must be understood that the PSA 10 grade demands a card in absolutely perfect condition: not the slightest centering defect, no scratch even microscopic on the holographic surface, perfectly sharp corners, immaculate edges, and a surface without the slightest imperfection. Given the age of these cards (over 25 years) and the often precarious storage conditions of the era, achieving this grade is almost a miracle.
French Charizard vs English: what is the price difference?
The French Pokemon card market has its own specificities that deserve particular attention. The question of the French Charizard's value compared to its English counterpart is a topic that increasingly fascinates collectors.
Historically, the international market has always been dominated by English versions, which benefit from worldwide demand. French versions, while highly appreciated in French-speaking Europe, have long been undervalued relative to their actual rarity. However, French print runs of the Base Set 1st Edition were considerably lower than English print runs. France, Belgium, and French-speaking Switzerland represented a much more restricted market than the worldwide English-speaking market.
This objective rarity is reflected in PSA population reports. The number of French Charizard 1st Edition graded copies is a fraction of the number of English copies. For example, while there are approximately 120 English Shadowless PSA 10s, French 1st Edition PSA 10s can barely be counted on one hand. This extreme rarity is beginning to be recognized by the market.
In terms of price, a French Charizard (Dracaufeu) 1st Edition PSA 9 currently trades between 15,000 and 30,000 euros, compared to 30,000 to 50,000 euros for the English Shadowless version at the same grade. The gap is gradually narrowing as collectors become aware of the superior rarity of French versions. Some market experts predict that high-grade French Charizard 1st Editions could eventually rival or even surpass the prices of English versions.
For French collectors, owning a Charizard in their native language represents priceless sentimental value. This is the version they were opening from booster packs bought at their local newsstand in the 1990s. This emotional dimension, combined with objective rarity, makes the French Charizard 1st Edition one of the most interesting cards on the current market.
Is it the right time to invest in a Charizard?
The question of investing in Pokemon cards, and in Charizard in particular, is a subject that sparks many debates. Here is a balanced analysis to help you make an informed decision.
Arguments in favor of investing. The Charizard 1st Edition has proven its resilience over the long term. Despite the 2022-2023 correction, prices remain far above pre-2020 levels. The Pokemon franchise has never been more popular, with annual revenues surpassing those of any other entertainment franchise in the world. The number of high-grade copies is finite and can only become rarer over time (cards can degrade but not improve). The nostalgic 1990s generation is currently in its peak earning age bracket (30-40 years old), and the next generation is beginning to take an interest in the vintage market.
Points of caution. The collectible card market remains volatile and unpredictable. Prices have already undergone a significant correction and nothing guarantees that another decline will not occur. Liquidity can be limited for the most expensive copies: it sometimes takes several months to find a buyer at the desired price. Transaction fees (auction house commissions, insurance, secure shipping) can significantly reduce the profit realized.
Our buying advice. If you decide to invest, here are some recommendations. First, only invest what you can afford to lose. Second, favor PSA or CGC certified copies to guarantee authenticity and condition. Third, aim for PSA 8 and above grades for 1st Edition cards, as these are the grades that best retain their value over time. Fourth, consider high-grade French 1st Edition versions, which offer a potentially more favorable rarity-to-price ratio. Finally, adopt a long-term perspective (5 to 10 years minimum) rather than a short-term speculative approach.
For collectors who simply wish to own an original Charizard without targeting investment, the Unlimited Base Set version in PSA 7 or 8 offers excellent value for money, allowing you to own a piece of Pokemon history for a few hundred euros. Check out our Cards N Packs shop to discover the Charizards currently available in our inventory.
The Charizard 1st Edition market has entered a maturity phase that benefits serious and informed buyers. Whether you are motivated by the passion of collecting or by investment goals, the key to success lies in deep market knowledge, patience, and rigor in selecting copies.