The EX Unseen Forces Typhlosion cards trade at dramatically different prices depending on which version you’re hunting. The regular Typhlosion (#17/115, illustrated by Hajime Kusajima) averages around $21.19 in damaged condition on TCGPlayer as of 2026. The far more sought-after Typhlosion ex (#110/115, illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita) carries a much steeper price tag, averaging $130.90 ungraded. The gulf widens considerably once grading enters the picture: a PSA 10 Typhlosion ex commands $1,825 to $2,782.59, while the same card at PSA 9 sits around $510.
This price variance isn’t arbitrary. Typhlosion ex represents one of the chase cards from the August 2005 Unseen Forces set, pulling at just 0.6% (roughly 1 in 175 packs). The regular Typhlosion, by contrast, was printed at holo rare frequency and remains far more available in the secondary market. For collectors deciding whether to pursue raw copies or invest in grading, these numbers tell a story about rarity, condition, and market premiums that can swing the value of an identical card by tenfold.
Table of Contents
- What’s the Real Difference Between Typhlosion #17/115 and Typhlosion ex #110/115?
- Understanding Raw Card Pricing vs. Graded Premiums
- Condition Signals and Market Realities for Unseen Forces Cards
- How Grading Services Affect Typhlosion ex Market Value
- The Risk of Overpaying for Graded Cards
- Rarity and Pull Rates in Context
- Current Market Trends and Strategic Timing
What’s the Real Difference Between Typhlosion #17/115 and Typhlosion ex #110/115?
The two Typhlosions in unseen Forces occupy entirely different tiers of collectibility. Card #17/115 is a standard Holo Rare, meaning it was distributed at the pull rate of all holo rares in the set. It’s a solid card—visually appealing, from a beloved set—but supply is plentiful enough that near-mint raw copies rarely exceed $30 to $40. Card #110/115, marked as “Rare Holo EX,” was a premium card even when the set released in 2005.
Players and collectors competed for it in booster packs and draft events, and its scarcity has preserved its value ever since. The difference extends beyond just pull rate. The illustrator credit alone signals the card’s intended importance: Mitsuhiro Arita, one of Pokémon’s most famous card artists, rendered the Typhlosion ex. Hajime Kusajima’s work on the regular Typhlosion is equally professional, but market perception—driven by rarity tier—has made the ex version the centerpiece of any Unseen Forces Typhlosion collection. If you walk into a card shop and ask for “the” Typhlosion from Unseen Forces, dealers will point to #110/115 first.
Understanding Raw Card Pricing vs. Graded Premiums
The $130.90 average for an ungraded Typhlosion ex (#110/115) represents the floor for desirable copies. That figure assumes the card is in played condition or shows visible wear; minty raw examples can push $200 to $300 depending on the seller’s grading standards. The real leverage appears once a card enters the professional grading ecosystem. A PSA 5 (good, some light play wear) values the same card at $35.66 or higher, while a PSA 8 (near mint-mint) jumps to $172.50. The most striking multiplier happens at PSA 9 and PSA 10 (gem mint).
A PSA 9 commands $510—nearly four times the ungraded average—while PSA 10 reaches $1,825 to $2,782.59. This exponential curve reflects a fundamental market truth: high-grade vintage pokémon cards, especially chase cards like Typhlosion ex, are in extreme scarcity. For every PSA 10 Typhlosion ex that exists, hundreds or thousands of raw or lightly graded copies circulate. The collector or investor willing to pay five figures for a PSA 10 is betting that gem-mint vintage trophy cards only become more scarce and valuable. The warning here is stark: pursuing a PSA 10 requires either an extraordinary lucky pull or a willingness to spend multi-thousand-dollar sums. Most collectors settle comfortably in the PSA 8 to PSA 9 range, where the price-to-rarity ratio feels less extreme.
Condition Signals and Market Realities for Unseen Forces Cards
Twenty years have passed since Unseen Forces hit shelves in August 2005. Cards that were opened and played in 2005–2007 rarely survived in collectible condition. The typical Typhlosion ex from that era, if played competitively or casually, bears creasing, edge wear, corner wear, and fading from light exposure. Condition grading services like PSA and CGC have trained collectors to scrutinize these flaws rigorously. A card that looks “pretty good” to the naked eye often grades PSA 6 (excellent-mint, with minor wear) rather than PSA 8 or higher.
This matters because the price difference between PSA 6 and PSA 8 is substantial. While PSA hasn’t formally priced PSA 6 in our data, historical trends suggest a $80 to $120 range. That’s still above the raw ungraded average but far below the $172.50 PSA 8 threshold. For collectors on a budget, understanding that their well-cared-for-but-not-perfect Typhlosion ex will likely grade PSA 6 or PSA 7 is crucial. You’re not buying a trophy card at that tier; you’re buying a legitimate vintage card that’s survived two decades without severe damage. That alone is an achievement in the Pokémon card world.
How Grading Services Affect Typhlosion ex Market Value
PSA grading has historically commanded the highest collector confidence and price premiums. A PSA 10 Typhlosion ex consistently outpaces other certifications by a factor of 2 to 3 times the raw price. CGC, an emerging competitor in Pokémon card grading, has begun closing that gap. A CGC 10 Typhlosion ex prices at $413.61, which is notably lower than PSA 10’s $1,825–$2,782.59 range. This gap suggests that PSA 10s, in the collector’s mind, carry an extra 4–7x premium—not just for condition, but for the PSA label itself.
Choosing between PSA and CGC involves a practical tradeoff. PSA turnaround times have lengthened significantly in recent years, sometimes stretching to 6–12 months for standard submissions. CGC offers faster grading with lower submission fees. However, if your goal is maximum resale value or maximum collector appeal, PSA 10 remains the gold standard, particularly for chase cards like Typhlosion ex. A CGC 10 card is objectively in identical condition to a PSA 10, yet the PSA version will command more money when you sell. This disparity will likely narrow over the next few years as CGC’s reputation strengthens, but for now, collectors prioritizing maximum market value opt for PSA, even if it means waiting longer.
The Risk of Overpaying for Graded Cards
Purchasing a graded Typhlosion ex at $500–$2,000 carries real downside risk. The first risk is simple: authentication fraud. While both PSA and CGC employ sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures, counterfeit slabs have surfaced in the Pokémon market. Buying only from reputable dealers and established marketplaces like TCGPlayer or eBay (with buyer protection) mitigates this, but it’s a real concern at premium price points. The second risk is market volatility. Pokémon card prices have historically been subject to boom-and-bust cycles. A card that fetches $1,000 today might trade for $600 in two years if the market cools or if newer, trendier cards capture collector attention.
The third and often-overlooked risk is the cost of grading itself. If you own a raw Typhlosion ex valued at $150, sending it to PSA costs $10–$100 depending on the service tier and turnaround time. If it comes back PSA 7, you’ve spent $50+ to add $30–$50 to the card’s value—a wash or a loss. You’re only coming out ahead if you’re confident the card will grade PSA 8 or higher. Many collectors miscalculate their own card’s condition and end up spending more on grading than they recover in value uplift. Before submitting to a grading service, examine your card against published PSA grade standards. Squint at it from three feet away. If you see obvious flaws, that card will not grade high enough to justify the submission cost.
Rarity and Pull Rates in Context
The 0.6% pull rate for Typhlosion ex wasn’t exceptional at the time. EX-era Pokémon TCG sets (roughly 2003–2007) regularly printed one rare holo EX per set at similar frequencies. What made Typhlosion ex special was its popularity: Typhlosion has always been a fan favorite, and in 2005, Typhlosion ex was competitively playable in formats like Modified (now known as Standard in later eras). This dual demand—collectibility plus playability—meant more packs were opened specifically to pull Typhlosion ex, and more copies were played into condition damage. From a 2026 perspective, this historical demand has cemented Typhlosion ex’s status as the chase card of Unseen Forces.
For context, opening a booster box of Unseen Forces (36 packs) statistically yields fewer than one Typhlosion ex. Most box openers get zero. This rarity dynamic is why raw Typhlosion ex at $130.90 still feels relatively expensive compared to other holo rares from the era. Sellers have learned that demand remains high, and they price accordingly. The regular Typhlosion (#17/115), by comparison, appears at holo rare frequency, meaning a booster box typically yields 1–3 copies. Surviving sealed booster boxes from 2005 are now being opened by investors, which occasionally floods the market with fresh holo rares and keeps the regular Typhlosion’s price suppressed.
Current Market Trends and Strategic Timing
As of 2026, graded Pokémon card prices have stabilized after the speculative bubble of 2020–2021. The Typhlosion ex PSA 10 pricing at $1,825–$2,782.59 represents genuine market-clearing prices from auction results, not inflated eBay listings. This suggests the card has found its equilibrium among serious collectors and investors. PSA 8 and PSA 9 copies occupy the sweet spot for most buyers: premium enough to justify the cost of grading, accessible enough that a dedicated collector can plan to acquire one without liquidating other assets.
The emergence of CGC as a competitive grading service has added liquidity to the market. Collectors who might have bypassed a PSA submission due to long wait times now have an alternative. This competition benefits the collector, as both services have incentive to improve turnaround and maintain competitive pricing. The narrowing price gap between PSA 10 and CGC 10 suggests that market participants are beginning to view CGC’s authentication and grading as equivalent, which over time will likely push prices into closer parity. For someone considering whether to buy or grade now, the stability of prices in the PSA 8–PSA 9 range indicates that acquiring a mid-grade Typhlosion ex is a lower-risk proposition than chasing PSA 10 trophy cards.
- —
