Why Is Base Set Venusaur Becoming More Expensive Every Year?
If you collect Pokemon cards, you have noticed that Base Set Venusaur holo cards keep climbing in price. These are the original Venusaur cards from the 1999 Base Set, like the 15/102 holo shadowless version. Back in January 2025, a near mint or mint copy sold around 249 pounds. By July 2025, that same quality jumped to 449 pounds low end, with mids at 525 pounds and highs near 600 pounds.[1] Prices for top graded ones have hit even bigger numbers over time.
One big reason is low supply. Base Set was the first Pokemon set, and many cards got played with, bent, or thrown away by kids in the late 1990s. Survivors in good shape are rare. Shadowless versions, printed early without the shadow on the shadow border, are extra tough to find because the print run was short.[1]
Grading makes a huge difference. Cards sent to PSA or BGS get scores like GEM MT 10. A Base Set No Rarity Venusaur, missing its black star rarity mark due to a printing error, sold for 55,000 dollars in 2021 at a top auction. That one was PSA 10 and signed by the artist Mitsuhiro Arita.[2] Collectors chase these perfect copies, driving up bids.
Nostalgia plays a part too. Venusaur is the final evolution of Bulbasaur, one of the three starters. Fans who grew up with the original games and anime love it, even if Charizard gets more hype. As those fans get older and have money to spend, they buy up childhood cards.[2]
The market keeps heating up. Sites like TCGPlayer now track prices more reliably than old eBay data, showing steady rises.[1] New sets like Mega Evolution in 2025 have their own Venusaur cards, but they drop in value fast after release. Modern Mega Venusaur ex went from hype to 156 dollars in November 2025, down 60 dollars quick.[5] Old Base Set stuff holds strong or grows because nothing beats the originals.
Demand from new collectors adds fuel. Pokemon TCG is booming with tournaments, YouTube opens, and investors. They see Base Set Venusaur as a safe bet that gains value yearly, unlike fresh prints that crash.[4][5]
Short print runs, wear from age, perfect grades, fan love, and hot market all push Base Set Venusaur higher each year. If you own one, check its condition and think about grading.
