There is no officially released non-holographic version of Charizard ex #105 from the EX FireRed & LeafGreen set. Charizard ex was produced exclusively as a Rare Holo EX card when the set launched in 2004, and The Pokémon Company has not issued a non-holo variant of this particular card in any reprint or special release since then.
If you’re searching for pricing information on a Charizard card from this era, you’re almost certainly looking at the holographic version, which carries significant collector value. The 2004 EX FireRed & LeafGreen set introduced Charizard ex as card #105/112, and it remains one of the set’s most sought-after pulls. The holo version regularly sells for between $1,700 and $2,000 in ungraded condition, with graded copies commanding substantially higher prices depending on condition and grading company.
Table of Contents
- Why Non-Holo Variants Don’t Exist for This Card
- Current Market Pricing for the Holographic Version
- EX FireRed & LeafGreen Set Context and Rarity
- Graded vs. Ungraded Purchase Decisions
- Authentication and Counterfeiting Concerns
- Reverse Holo and Alternative Charizard Cards from This Era
- Market Conditions and Collector Trends in 2026
Why Non-Holo Variants Don’t Exist for This Card
The EX-series sets from 2003-2006 had a specific card structure: EX Pokémon (the most powerful cards in a set) were printed only as holographic rare cards. This was a deliberate design choice to make these cards feel special and harder to pull from booster packs. Reverse holo versions existed for some cards in the set, but not for the EX-designated cards like Charizard ex.
Some collectors confuse this with later set structures. The EX firered & LeafGreen set predates the era when The Pokémon Company experimented with non-holo EX variants or alternate art treatments. If you’ve seen a non-holographic Charizard from this set online, it’s either a card from a different set entirely (like Base Set or Jungle Charizard), a reverse holo variant from another set, or a counterfeited product.
Current Market Pricing for the Holographic Version
Recent 2026 sales data shows a clear pricing hierarchy based on grading and condition. A CGC-graded 10 (Gem Mint) copy sold for $5,999.99 in mid-February 2026, representing the top end of the market for this card. PSA 9 (Mint) graded copies trade in the $3,000-$3,200 range, while PSA 8 (Near Mint-Mint) copies fall into the $2,000 bracket.
The ungraded holographic market sits between $1,699.99 and $2,000.00 for copies in good condition. A critical warning here: prices at this level require careful authentication. The 2004 print run was substantial, but counterfeits targeting high-value cards from this era are common on certain marketplaces. Always request clear close-up photos of the holo pattern, print quality, and card stock before purchasing an ungraded copy in this price range.
EX FireRed & LeafGreen Set Context and Rarity
EX FireRed & LeafGreen was released in 2004 as a set of 112 cards, designed to bring the original Game Boy games into the trading card game. The set featured Charizard ex alongside other ex-designated cards like Blastoise ex and Venusaur ex. These three starter Pokémon are the most collectible cards from the set, with Charizard consistently pulling ahead in value.
The set had multiple print runs across 2004-2005, which affects scarcity. First edition versions command a premium, sometimes 20-30% higher than unlimited printings, though the holo pattern and overall print quality remain similar. The set’s age—now over 20 years old—combined with heavy play use by the original audience has made high-condition copies increasingly difficult to find, which supports the current pricing floor.
Graded vs. Ungraded Purchase Decisions
Collectors face a specific tradeoff when buying this card. A graded PSA 9 at $3,190 offers authentication assurance and a clear condition standard, but you’re paying roughly 60% more than an ungraded copy in similar condition. For a card at this price point, professional grading protects both your investment and simplifies future resale, since PSA and CGC grades are recognized across all major marketplaces.
Ungraded purchases save money but demand expertise. You need to understand what “Near Mint” actually looks like in a 20-year-old card—centering, corners, surface wear, and holo scratching all factor into value. A single PSA 9 to PSA 8 drop is a $1,000-$1,200 swing, so misgrading your own copy is a costly mistake. If you’re new to the hobby, the premium for grading is worth the protection.
Authentication and Counterfeiting Concerns
Charizard ex #105 falls into the price range where counterfeits become economically viable for bad actors. The most common fakes originate from overseas printing operations and show tell-tale signs: fuzzy or off-color holo patterns, incorrect card stock thickness, poor centering that’s beyond even heavily played originals, and text that’s slightly blurry under magnification. The holographic pattern on genuine 2004 cards has a specific reflective quality—the holo doesn’t look metallic, but rather has a subtle rainbow shimmer when tilted.
Counterfeits often oversaturate this effect or create an unnatural silver appearance. If you’re purchasing a copy in the $1,700-$2,000 range, request video documentation of the card under different lighting angles and at magnification. This small precaution prevents purchasing a $50 counterfeit while thinking you’ve acquired a legitimate asset.
Reverse Holo and Alternative Charizard Cards from This Era
While Charizard ex itself wasn’t released in reverse holo, the EX FireRed & LeafGreen set did include other Charizard cards in non-EX status. These cards are more common and significantly cheaper, typically ranging from $15 to $80 depending on condition.
If you find yourself unable to afford the Charizard ex holo, these alternatives offer legitimate Charizard representation from the same set at a fraction of the cost. Some collectors mistakenly search for a “reverse holo Charizard ex” hoping to find a cheaper variant. This doesn’t exist for the ex cards, but if you’re interested in reverse holos from this set era, other Charizard variants do appear in reverse in different sets like 2006’s EX Dragon, which may be worth exploring if budget is a concern.
Market Conditions and Collector Trends in 2026
The vintage Charizard market remains strong in 2026, driven by sustained demand from collectors completing the EX-era sets and from players building decks for format-specific tournaments. Unlike trend-driven cards that spike on social media hype and crash weeks later, Charizard ex #105 has maintained consistent pricing for over a year, suggesting the current $1,700-$2,000 range reflects genuine collector demand rather than speculative bubble.
PSA 9 and PSA 10 copies are the most actively traded grades, with sales occurring multiple times per week across major platforms like TCGPlayer and Cardmarket. Ungraded copies move more slowly but remain sellable, taking 2-4 weeks to find a buyer at fair market value. If you’re considering this card as an investment, understand that cards in this price range move as collector pieces, not as liquid assets—liquidating at asking price may take time.
