The exact number of **Base Set 1st Edition Charizard cards printed** is not officially disclosed by The Pokémon Company or Wizards of the Coast, the original publisher of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) in the United States. However, it is widely accepted among collectors and experts that the print run was **very limited**, making the card extremely rare and valuable today.
The Base Set 1st Edition Charizard was part of the very first print run of the Pokémon TCG released in 1999. This print run is characterized by the presence of the **”1st Edition” stamp** on the left side of the card and the **shadowless** design, meaning the card lacks the drop shadow on the right side of the Pokémon image that appeared in later printings. These features mark the card as part of the initial, limited batch of cards produced[3][4].
While no official print numbers exist, estimates based on collector data and market behavior suggest that the total number of 1st Edition Base Set Charizards printed was likely in the **tens of thousands**, but far fewer remain in collectible condition today. The rarity is compounded by the fact that many cards were played with or damaged over time, reducing the number of high-grade specimens available.
The card’s scarcity and iconic status have driven prices to extraordinary levels. For example, a **PSA 10 (Gem Mint) 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard** sold for approximately **$420,000 in 2022** at auction, underscoring its rarity and desirability[3][4]. Lower-grade cards still command significant sums, but the highest grades are exceptionally rare and valuable.
To summarize the key points about the print run and rarity:
– The **1st Edition Base Set Charizard** was part of the initial 1999 print run of the Pokémon TCG in the U.S.
– It features the **1st Edition stamp** and is **shadowless**, distinguishing it from later printings.
– The exact number printed is **not publicly known**, but it is understood to be **limited and much smaller than subsequent print runs**.
– The card’s rarity is reflected in its high market value, with PSA 10 copies selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars[3][4].
– The scarcity is due to both the limited initial print run and the attrition of cards over time through play and damage.
This combination of factors makes the 1st Edition Base Set Charizard one of the most iconic and sought-after Pokémon cards in existence.
