The 4th print Charizard from the original Pokémon Base Set is one of those classic cards that collectors chase after, and its record sale price for a high-grade version like PSA 10 sits at around $10,100 based on recent market tracking, though ungraded or lower-grade copies sell for much less, often in the hundreds.[1]
Let’s start from the beginning to really get why this card matters so much. Pokémon trading cards kicked off in 1999 with the Base Set, and Charizard was card number 4 in that set. It’s a holofoil card showing the fiery dragon Pokémon breathing flames, with that shiny background that made early cards feel magical. The “4th print” part refers to the specific printing run. Back then, Wizards of the Coast printed these cards in waves to meet huge demand. The first print had a black star symbol on the back, second had a different one, and by the fourth print, it was a circle symbol. These later prints are more common than the ultra-rare first editions, but a clean 4th print Charizard still holds serious value because Charizard has always been the king of Pokémon cards. Everyone remembers it from the games, the anime, and those old commercials.
Why is the 4th print special compared to others? First prints can go for insane money, like tens or hundreds of thousands for perfect grades, because they’re the scarcest. But 4th prints were made when the hype was still fresh, and fewer got damaged or lost over time. A near mint one today might fetch $400 to $600 on sites like TCGPlayer, based on sales from late 2025.[1] For example, on December 5, 2025, a mint unplayed 4th print sold for $475, and another NM version went for $540 just two days before that.[1] Earlier in November, prices bounced around $430 to $649 for near mint copies.[1] Ungraded ones average $275 right now, up $77 recently, showing steady demand.[1]
Now, for the big grades, that’s where the real records hide. Graded cards get slabbed by companies like PSA, which check for wear, centering, edges, and corners on a scale up to 10. A PSA 9 4th print Charizard recently hit $1,936, up $143 in value.[1] PSA 9.5 goes for $2,130, with a $255 jump lately.[1] But the top end, PSA 10, is listed at $10,100 with no recent change, and that’s the current market peak from tracked sales.[1] Volume is low—maybe one sale a month for these gems—which keeps prices high. Lower grades like a 7 are around $528, and an 8 is $805.[1]
Digging into what makes a record sale, PriceCharting pulls from actual completed auctions on eBay and TCGPlayer, so $10,100 for that PSA 10 feels solid as the high watermark as of mid-December 2025.[1] No single sale jumps out as higher in the recent logs, but older records might exist before better tracking. For context, other Charizards crush this—like a disco test print sold for $113,880 in 2023, or a Japanese Beta one at $99,000 in 2024—but those aren’t 4th prints.[3] Even modern ones like Scarlet & Violet 151 Charizard ex #199 top out at BGS 10 Black for $17,875 graded, but again, not the Base Set 4th.[2]
Collectors love the 4th print for its nostalgia. Imagine kids in 1999 trading these at school, not knowing they’d be worth a car payment someday. The card’s art by Mitsuhiro Arita captures Charizard mid-roar, wings spread, with that orange glow. It’s 120 HP, attacks like Fire Spin for 100 damage (with a burn chance), and it’s a stage 2 evolution from Charmander. In tournaments back then, it dominated until the meta shifted. Today, it’s more about investment. Prices have climbed over years—check charts, and you’ll see PSA 10s holding steady around that $10k mark while lower grades fluctuate with hype cycles.[1]
What drives the value up? Rarity in condition is key. Early prints got played hard, bent in binders, or exposed to sunlight fading the holo. A true gem 10 has perfect centering (50/50 all sides), sharp corners, clean edges, and no surface scratches. Grading adds trust—buyers pay premiums for slabs. Market trends play in too. Pokémon boomed again with Scarlet & Violet sets in 2023-2025, pushing old cards higher. Videos from 2025 note Base Set Charizard #4 around $425-$463 market price, aligning with ungraded sales.[4] TCGPlayer’s 2025 top lists don’t rank it in the absolute top 10, as newer chase cards like Phantasmal Flames Charizard drop fast but start higher.[5]
Buying one? Start with eBay sold listings or TCGPlayer for real data, not asking prices. Verify the print symbol—fourth is the circle. Watch for fakes; holograms can be reprinted poorly. Storage matters: keep in sleeves, top loaders, in a cool, dry spot away from light. Communities like Reddit’s r/PokemonTCG or PokeBeach forums buzz with 4th print talk, sharing pulls and flips.
Historical sales paint the picture. Back in 2022, similar Base Set holos like Shining Charizard hit $15,000 for PSA 10 first edition, showing the ceiling for variants.[3] Crystal Charizard PSA 10 sold for $40,800 that year.[3] But 4th prints stay more accessible, with recent NM sales clustering $400-$650.[1] A graded EX/NM one went for $649 on November 15, 2025.[1] If you’re grading your own, expect fees around $20-$50 per card, more for express, and only pristine copies hit 10.
Beyond price, the card’s story adds layers. Charizard symbolizes Pokémon’s rise from game to global empire. It starred in movies, memes, and even inspired real-world fire safety talks (though no medical angle there). Collectors include kids saving allowance, adults reliving youth, and investors treating it like stocks. Diversify—pair with Venusaur or Blastoise for sets. Flip risks exist; values dip with recessions or oversupply, but Charizard weathers it.
Recent dips in new sets highlight this. Scarlet & Violet 151 Charizard ex #199 NM sold $224-$349 in late 2025, with PSA 10 at $932.[2] BGS 10 Black hit $17,875, but that’s ultra-modern rarity.[2] Base Set 4th holds because it’s OG. YouTube breakdowns from 2025 peg it steady at $425ish listed, with market $463.[4] Gold Charizards or Victini variants hover $445-$600, but #
