Why Is Base Set Charmander Still Climbing in Price Long Term?
If you have been watching Pokemon card prices, you might notice something interesting about the Base Set Charmander card, number 46/102. This is the non-holo version from the 1st Edition Shadowless print run, a common card from the very first set in 1999. Back in January 2025, a near mint or mint copy sold around 46 pounds. By July 2025, that same quality jumped to about 66 pounds, with highs reaching over 71 pounds.[1] Prices for ungraded copies hover around 3.50 dollars today, but graded versions like PSA 10 are pushing 249 dollars with steady sales volume.[2] Even as a basic starter Pokemon, this card keeps going up over time. Here is why it shows no signs of slowing down for collectors.
First, its place in Pokemon history makes it special. Charmander is one of the original starter Pokemon, right alongside Bulbasaur and Squirtle. Fans love the fire lizard from the Kanto region, and this Base Set version takes them back to the start of the trading card game. As the oldest cards from Wizards of the Coast, these originals carry a nostalgia factor that newer sets just cannot match. Collectors see them as pieces of Pokemon history, much like how other Base Set commons and uncommons hold value just for being from that 1999 era.[5][6]
Supply is another big reason. The 1st Edition Shadowless prints are rare compared to later unlimited runs. Shadowless means no shadow under the artwork, a detail that marks the earliest batches before Wizards added it to prevent counterfeits. Over 25 years later, many of these cards have been lost, damaged, or thrown away by people who did not know their worth. What remains gets snapped up by serious collectors. Recent sales data shows consistent demand, with multiple sales per week even for lower grades.[2] High-grade examples like PSA 9 or 10 are especially hard to find, driving prices higher as slabs become the gold standard.
Demand keeps growing too. The Pokemon TCG boom since 2020 has brought in new players and investors. While chase cards like Charizard grab headlines, affordable entries like this Charmander let beginners build collections without breaking the bank. Top Base Set cards, even holos like Chansey or Venusaur, sell for tens of thousands in gem mint condition, proving the whole set has lasting appeal.[3] Charmander rides that wave. Its sales volume stays steady at a few per week across grades, showing reliable interest.[2] Plus, as starter decks and modern sets feature Charmander evolutions, it reminds everyone of the roots.
Grading trends seal the deal for long-term climbs. More people send cards to PSA or BGS now, and this Charmander pops in those populations. A PSA 10 might be rare, but with only a few sales a year at 249 dollars, scarcity pushes values up.[2] As the overall Base Set market heats up, commons like this benefit. Look at the price chart: ungraded dipped a bit short-term but holds firm, while slabs stay flat or rise.[2] With Pokemon’s popularity showing no end, expect this trend to continue for years.
For PokemonPricing.com readers, keep an eye on raw copies in good shape. They could be your next grader candidate. This Charmander proves you do not need a holo or rare to win big in the long game.
