The Steelix ex from EX Unseen Forces (card #109/115) is a Metal-type Stage 1 evolution with 150 HP and artwork by Ryo Ueda. Pricing data for the specific non-holo reverse holo variant is not widely available in current market listings, which is a key limitation for this particular card. Most pricing information circulating online—from TCG Player, Troll & Toad, and eBay—refers to the holofoil version of the same card number, which commands prices ranging from $95 to $170 depending on condition and seller.
If you’re hunting for accurate non-holo pricing, you’ll need to check TCGPlayer’s variant filters or contact specialized dealers directly, as the reverse holo version trades less frequently than the standard holo and generates fewer completed sales records. The reason for this data gap is straightforward: the holofoil version dominates collector demand and secondary market activity. When a card variant doesn’t trade hands regularly, pricing aggregators can’t build reliable historical averages. This doesn’t mean non-holo copies are worthless—it means the market for them is thinner and less transparent, making price discovery harder.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Steelix ex Card and Why Do Variants Matter?
- Holofoil Pricing and Graded Card Value
- Why Grading Premiums Are So Steep for EX-Era Cards
- Where to Find Non-Holo Pricing Information
- Authentication and Counterfeiting Risk
- EX Unseen Forces and Set Collector Demand
- Grading Impact on Steelix ex and Long-Term Market Trends
What Is the Steelix ex Card and Why Do Variants Matter?
Steelix ex is a Stage 1 Metal evolution that requires a Lairon to play. The card was printed in EX Unseen Forces, a 2005 set that sits in the middle of the EX era, after the earliest power creep but before the Diamond & Pearl rotation. The ex mechanic itself—losing two prize cards when knocked out—added risk and strategy, which is why ex cards from this era are still collected and played. The distinction between holo and non-holo (reverse holo) matters because collectors value the visual presentation.
The holofoil version has traditional holopattern coverage across the entire card surface, while reverse holo cards have that effect applied everywhere except the illustration. For Steelix ex, with Ryo Ueda’s artwork, both variants exist but trade at different price points. The holo version is the primary listing you’ll find, which is why raw Near Mint holos reach $170 average on eBay. Non-holo copies, when they do appear, typically sell for less because demand is lower.
Holofoil Pricing and Graded Card Value
The raw (ungraded) holofoil Steelix ex averages around $95 to $170 across major retailers, depending on condition and the platform. tcg Player’s average sits at $95, while eBay’s recent sales average is $170—that gap reflects eBay’s mix of premium listings and high-condition examples. A single raw Near Mint sale reached $199.99, which is the ceiling for ungraded copies in exceptional condition. These prices apply to the holo variant; non-holo data is not published at this volume.
Graded copies command dramatically higher premiums, which is important to understand if you’re considering authentication. A PSA 8 (Very Fine–Mint) holofoil Steelix ex sells for approximately $300, while a PSA 9 (Mint) reaches $361. Jump to PSA 10 (Gem Mint), and prices leap to $1,532—a 16x increase over the raw average. This is a real limitation of grading: the cost of authentication ($15 to $25 per card through modern services) only makes economic sense for cards worth at least $50 to $100 ungraded. Paying to grade a $30 card destroys its value.
Why Grading Premiums Are So Steep for EX-Era Cards
PSA grading certificates matter most for cards that are either extremely valuable, difficult to authenticate, or both. Steelix ex qualifies on both counts: it’s a desirable Stage 1 ex with 20+ year old printing, making condition assessment subjective and important to collectors. A PSA 10 represents the top tier of preservation, which is rare for cards printed in 2005 that have likely changed hands multiple times.
The 52 recorded auction sales totaling $11,795.58 reflect the broader market activity, and the vast majority of that volume comes from graded specimens and high-condition raw sales. If you’re considering grading a non-holo copy you own, expect to pay $20 to $30 for turnaround, then wait 20–30 days for certification. The return only justifies itself if your card appears to be in PSA 8 or higher condition, which requires professional eye training to assess correctly.
Where to Find Non-Holo Pricing Information
TCGPlayer is the most reliable source for variant-specific pricing, but even there, non-holo Steelix ex listings are sparse and updated less frequently than the holofoil. When you search the card, use the “Variant” filter to separate holo from reverse holo, then scan the available listings. If fewer than five listings exist for a specific variant, the “average price” calculation is based on too little data to be reliable.
TCG Stacked, TCG Collector, and Pokellector also track individual card listings, though they aggregate data differently and may show different totals. For non-holo pricing specifically, you may need to broaden your search: check eBay’s “Sold Listings” for completed non-holo sales, check local Facebook collector groups, or contact bulk lot sellers who might have older sets. Avoid using single listings as pricing benchmarks—a seller asking $120 for a reverse holo doesn’t mean that’s the market rate. Look for at least three to five recent completed sales before drawing a conclusion about fair value.
Authentication and Counterfeiting Risk
Older ex-era cards, particularly from 2005, are targets for counterfeiting, though Steelix ex is not as frequently faked as Shadowless Base Set or first-edition Charizard. If you’re buying a raw copy priced significantly below market average—say, a “Near Mint” copy listed for $35 when the average is $95—request detailed photos and inspect the following: card stock thickness (real cards have distinct weight), holopattern consistency, text sharpness, and ink coverage near the edges. Reverse holos are slightly easier to counterfeit convincingly because the non-illustrated areas can hide printing imperfections more easily.
PSA and Beckett certification eliminate counterfeiting risk entirely, but they add cost. For a $95 card, adding $20 to $30 in grading fees makes a $115 investment to secure a card worth $150–$200 graded—a reasonable hedge if you plan to hold it long-term. For a $50 card, grading is not economically sensible.
EX Unseen Forces and Set Collector Demand
EX Unseen Forces, printed in 2005, is one of the longer print run EX sets and is not considered a premium or scarce set. This means abundant copies exist, and supply is generally stable.
The set includes other sought-after ex cards, which drives some collector interest in completing the full set, but individual cards like Steelix ex don’t command the premiums of scarcer sets like EX Dragon Frontiers or EX Hidden Legends. This context matters: Steelix ex at $95–$170 raw reflects solid but not extreme demand, and non-holo copies likely sit at a modest discount to holofoil (perhaps 15–30% lower).
Grading Impact on Steelix ex and Long-Term Market Trends
The PSA 10 price of $1,532 versus the raw average of $95–$170 demonstrates how dramatically condition accelerates value. For investors and collectors holding Steelix ex, the card is a borderline case: it’s valuable enough to care about condition and preservation, but not so valuable that every copy justifies grading.
A PSA 7 at $100 represents a collector who bought a lightly played or played copy and had it authenticated—a middle ground that adds credibility without the extreme cost of PSA 9 or 10. If you acquire a non-holo Steelix ex in truly exceptional condition (no visible wear, perfect centering), grading could bump its value from $50–$70 to $150–$200, making the service worthwhile.
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