The non-holo Butterfree from EX FireRed & LeafGreen typically sells in the $3 to $8 range depending on condition and current market activity, though well-graded copies can command slightly higher prices. This common card from the 2004 set is among the most abundant printings of Butterfree, which keeps it affordable for collectors building complete sets.
If you’re tracking current pricing, TCGPlayer and Pokemon Wizard maintain live marketplace data updated regularly, with TCGPlayer offering real-time pricing from multiple active sellers as of July 2026. The non-holo Butterfree represents a genuine entry point into EX-era collecting without the premium associated with holographic or first-edition versions. Understanding its actual market value requires knowing where to look and what condition factors matter most, since the same card can swing from $2 to $15 depending on grading and availability.
Table of Contents
- What Is the EX FireRed & LeafGreen Butterfree Non-Holo Card?
- Current Market Pricing and Where to Find Accurate Data
- How Condition and Grading Affect Non-Holo Butterfree Pricing
- Comparing the Non-Holo to Other Butterfree Versions
- Market Factors That Shift Non-Holo Butterfree Pricing
- How to Accurately Price When Buying or Selling
- Marketplace Insights and Practical Considerations
What Is the EX FireRed & LeafGreen Butterfree Non-Holo Card?
The Butterfree non-holo from EX firered & LeafGreen (set number 1121 in most databases) is a Stage 2 Evolution card with 70 HP printed between 2004-2005. It features the standard reverse-holofoil finish rather than a full-card holo, making it far more common than its holographic counterpart. The card artwork depicts Butterfree in a battle-ready stance, consistent with the generation-spanning design language of that era.
This card was produced in massive quantities across multiple print runs, meaning condition and grading matter far more than scarcity when determining value. A heavily played copy from a childhood collection might fetch $2-3, while a near-mint example with professional grading could reach $8-12. The non-holo version is significantly cheaper than the holographic Butterfree from the same set, which typically starts around $12-15 for average-condition copies.
Current Market Pricing and Where to Find Accurate Data
Live pricing data for this card is maintained on TCGPlayer, which aggregates listings from hundreds of independent sellers and updates constantly based on actual sales activity. pokemon Wizard provides historical price trends going back to May 2026, allowing collectors to see whether this card is trending upward or downward. Pikawiz and TCGCollector both maintain comprehensive price lists for the entire EX FireRed & LeafGreen set, though their data refresh intervals vary.
One critical limitation: most pricing databases reflect asking prices, not final sales prices. A card listed at $7.99 may rarely sell at that figure—many buyers negotiate or wait for sales. TCGPlayer’s sold listings feature provides a clearer picture of what the card actually moves for, though this data requires a verified account to access. Third-party grading (PSA, Beckett) can dramatically shift pricing; a raw non-holo Butterfree might be worth $4, but that same card graded PSA 9 could sell for $20-30 if demand for the grade tier is high.
How Condition and Grading Affect Non-Holo Butterfree Pricing
The non-holo Butterfree’s plastic composition and reverse-holofoil pattern make it moderately prone to wear, especially on the edges and corners where the foil can peel if handled carelessly during childhood play. A card played competitively in the early 2000s often shows obvious wear—creases, whitening on edges, and scratches on the foil—which drops it into the $2-3 range even if the print quality is clean otherwise. Professional grading from PSA, Beckett, or CGC introduces both transparency and cost.
A grading label adds $20-40 in service fees, making it economically unjustifiable for a $5 card unless you’re building a graded set specifically or the card is genuinely in exceptional condition. For raw cards, collectors use standardized condition descriptions: Near mint (never played, minimal wear), Lightly Played (visible wear but still acceptable), Moderately Played (noticeable edge wear and possible light creases), and Heavily Played (extensive wear, creases, stains). A Lightly Played non-holo Butterfree typically costs $4-6, while Heavily Played examples sit at $2-3.
Comparing the Non-Holo to Other Butterfree Versions
The holographic Butterfree from the same set costs roughly double the non-holo version, usually starting at $12-15 for average condition. First Edition holos are rarer and command $25-40 depending on condition, though first-edition non-holos are only marginally more valuable than unlimited printings—usually $4-7 instead of $3-5. This small premium reflects the difficulty of grading rarity for a common card; many collectors don’t track first-edition status on low-value commons.
Alternate print Butterflies—particularly those from Jungle (holo Butterfree can reach $30+) or Base Set 2—command significantly higher prices due to set desirability and lower print volumes. A collector focused specifically on Butterfree line cards will notice that EX FireRed & LeafGreen offers both the most affordable Butterfree holo and the cheapest Butterfree overall, making it a logical budget entry point for the character’s card portfolio. Shadowless and unlimited variants of later-generation Butterfree cards generally cost 2-3x more than EX-era versions.
Market Factors That Shift Non-Holo Butterfree Pricing
Overall Pokemon card market confidence directly impacts EX-era card demand. During market peaks (late 2021 through early 2022), even bulk commons spiked 20-40% as pandemic-era buying spread across the entire hobby. The non-holo Butterfree rode that wave but has since normalized; pricing as of July 2026 reflects a mature, stable market where nostalgia-driven buying has plateaued. Set popularity within the collector base also drives demand.
EX FireRed & LeafGreen remains highly sought because it represents the Kanto region in the Generation III competitive format, and many adult collectors who were active in 2004-2005 intentionally rebuild their old tournament decks. This sustained collector interest keeps even common cards from the set above strict commodity prices. However, a major Pokemon release or renewed trading activity for another set can shift collector attention away, temporarily depressing EX-era prices. If supply suddenly increases—for example, someone dumps a sealed booster box collection—prices may dip 10-20% as inventory floods the market.
How to Accurately Price When Buying or Selling
If you’re selling a non-holo Butterfree, posting it at $5.99-6.99 on TCGPlayer positions it competitively without requiring negotiation, though you’ll want to price-check your listing weekly since competition from other sellers can quickly undercut your price. Many casual sellers underprice commons at $1.99 to move volume quickly, which suppresses the market value if you’re aiming for top dollar on a single card.
Conversely, if you’re buying, setting a saved search alert on TCGPlayer for this specific card allows you to catch deals when sellers mis-price or clearance inventory. Bulk purchases—buying multiple commons from the same set at once—often come with a volume discount that individual sales don’t offer. Local card shops sometimes price played commons lower than online markets because their overhead requires faster inventory turnover, making in-person buying a smart option if you have access to established stores.
Marketplace Insights and Practical Considerations
TCGPlayer’s marketplace shows that non-holo Butterfree listings are steady but not high-volume; on any given day, 5-15 copies might be listed across the entire platform at varying prices. This low velocity means you shouldn’t expect instant sales if you’re selling, and you shouldn’t panic if a listing sits for a week or two. Pokémon TCG set completion drives most purchases of this card—buyers building complete EX FireRed & LeafGreen sets are your primary market, not speculators seeking price appreciation.
Graded copies of this card rarely appear on the market because the economics don’t make sense; investing $25-40 in grading a card worth $3-5 raw is irrational unless the card is demonstrably in exceptional condition or the collector is pursuing a formal graded set project. When graded copies do surface, they’re often PSA 8 or 9 examples in the $15-20 range, reflecting premium condition rather than inherent rarity. For the vast majority of collectors, the raw non-holo Butterfree remains the practical choice.
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