Why Are Low Grade Base Set Cards Still Getting More Expensive?
If you have been watching Pokemon card prices, you might notice something odd. While shiny new cards from 2025 sets like Prismatic Evolutions dip after the hype fades, low grade Base Set cards from 1999 keep climbing in price. These are the beat-up ones, maybe creased or worn, graded 1 to 4 by PSA. They are not perfect gems, but collectors pay more for them every year.[4][5]
Base Set is the original Pokemon set that started it all. Cards like Charizard holo from that set in top PSA 10 condition hit huge numbers, like a first edition one selling for $550,000 at auction in December 2025. But even the rough copies, far from mint, show steady gains. Why? It comes down to supply and demand basics that hit vintage cards hardest.
First, there are almost no low grade Base Set cards left on the market. Back in the 90s, kids played with these cards rough. Many got tossed, lost, or thrown away over decades. The ones that survived in poor shape are rare now because time eats them up. Unlike high grade cards that collectors saved carefully, these low ones were not babied. Fewer show up for sale each year, so prices rise as buyers compete.[4]
Second, new collectors want in on the Pokemon boom without breaking the bank. Modern cards swing wild, dropping 10 to 15 percent after reprints or hype cools, like Pikachu ex going from $450 to $331 raw. Sealed products from recent sets also dip, with some ETBs falling 16 percent from peaks near $400. Low grade Base Set offers an affordable entry to owning a piece of history. A scratched Blastoise or Venusaur holo might cost hundreds instead of thousands, drawing in fans who missed the high end.[1][3][4]
Nostalgia plays a big role too. Base Set cards spark memories of the early Pokemon days, before endless reprints flooded the market. Videos and market updates show modern sealed booster boxes rebounding a bit but still volatile, down from highs. Vintage Base Set stays solid, with 20 percent yearly gains on average for key cards. Low grades ride that wave because they feel real and playable, not just wall art.[1][4][5]
Demand grows from investors too. With Pokemon printing 10.2 billion cards in 2025, new stuff stays cheap longer. But Base Set has no reprints. Searches on sites like eBay put Pokemon at the top for 2025 trends. People hunt originals, and low grades fill the gap for budget buyers betting on long-term holds.[4][5]
Market data backs this up. One-year charts for Base Set cards show ups even in shaky times, unlike some modern hits dropping $30 to $40 recently. Low grades benefit from scarcity as grading slows on junky cards, and resellers pull them off shelves.[1][2]
This trend means low grade Base Set could keep rising if the hobby stays hot. Check recent sales on sites like TCGPlayer or eBay to spot deals before they climb more. Keep an eye on condition details, as even minor wear differences affect value.
