Why Is Base Set Diglett Rising in Cost Despite Being Common?
If you collect Pokemon cards from the original Base Set, you might notice something odd. Diglett, a basic common card, is getting more expensive lately. Raw copies that used to sell for pennies now fetch higher prices, and graded versions are following suit. Even though it was printed in huge numbers as a common, demand is pushing its value up. Here’s why this underground mole is digging its way to higher prices.
First, scarcity from print errors is a big factor. Base Set Diglett from unlimited print runs has rare printing mistakes, like brown speckles or streaks of ink across its face in the artwork. These could come from oversaturated cyan ink during production. Collectors hunt these error cards because they stand out from regular copies. Unlike fixed errors in other sets, these Diglett flaws were never corrected, making them true one-of-a-kind finds.[4]
Short print runs also play a role. Early unlimited Base Set cards faced supply issues due to high demand in the late 1990s. Diglett, as card number 47/102, was not as mass-produced as some commons in later printings. Combine that with age, and many copies are now worn out or lost. Survivors in good condition are harder to find, driving up prices for near mint raws and low-grade slabs.
Grading trends add fuel to the fire. As more collectors send Base Set cards to PSA or BGS, Diglett populations stay low compared to stars like Charizard. Error versions or clean copies hit PSA 8 or higher and sell quick. Recent sales show steady climbs, similar to how other commons like Team Rocket’s Diglett jumped from $2 raw to $40 in PSA 10.[3] Base Set nostalgia keeps buyers coming back, especially with Pokemon’s 2025 market boom.
Player interest helps too. Diglett’s simple Dig attack made it a budget Fighting type in old formats. Vintage tournaments and casual playlists bring renewed attention. Online marketplaces list hundreds of copies, but clean ones vanish fast at market prices above $0.05 for bulk commons.[2]
Supply chokepoints from hoarding round it out. Big collectors lock away Base Set bulk for long-term holds. With fewer flipping to market, even commons like Diglett tighten up. Watch for PSA 9 or 10 pops to grow, as that often signals peak value before stabilizing.
Keep an eye on sold listings for real trends. If you own a Diglett with face ink spots, it could be worth grading. This common is no longer just pocket change.
