The Suicune from EX Unseen Forces does not exist as a non-holographic card. This is not a matter of rarity or market exclusivity—the card was never printed in non-holo form. Suicune appears in EX Unseen Forces exclusively as a Gold Star holographic card, #115/115, making it one of only three Gold Star Pokémon in the entire set.
If you’ve encountered references to a “non-holo” version of this card, you’re likely looking at a pricing error, a mislabeled listing, or confusion with a different Suicune printing from another set or set variant. The Gold Star Suicune remains one of the most sought-after cards from the 2005 EX Unseen Forces set. This Water-type Basic Pokémon carries a distinctive holographic treatment and was illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda. Understanding what this card actually is—and what it isn’t—is essential for collectors evaluating their collections or considering purchases on the secondary market.
Table of Contents
- Why Does the Non-Holo Variant Not Exist?
- The Actual Card: Gold Star Suicune, #115/115
- Grading and Population Data
- Current Secondary Market Pricing
- Authentication and What to Watch For
- Comparison to Other Gold Stars in EX Unseen Forces
- Tracking Pricing and Market Availability
Why Does the Non-Holo Variant Not Exist?
Gold Star cards, also called ☆ pokémon, were special chase cards distributed in EX-era sets with predetermined rarity. Unlike modern Secret Rares or alternate art cards, Gold Stars had fixed print runs and rarity designations. EX unseen Forces contained exactly three Gold Star Pokémon: Suicune, Ho-Oh, and Rayquaza. The production run for these cards was tightly controlled, and the distribution method meant that non-holographic versions were never produced.
The confusion likely arises because EX-era sets often included both holo and non-holo versions of other Pokémon cards. Trainers and Supporters frequently appeared in both formats; even some Pokémon in the set came in both versions. However, the Gold Star designation applied only to holographic printings. If you’re searching for a non-holo version of a Suicune card from this era, you may be thinking of a different Suicune release—perhaps from EX Ruby & Sapphire, EX Deoxys, or another contemporary set that did print non-holo versions of basic Pokémon cards.
The Actual Card: Gold Star Suicune, #115/115
Suicune from EX Unseen Forces is card #115/115 in the set, making it a secret rare with a number that exceeds the standard set count of 115 cards. It is a Water-type Basic Pokémon with 80 hit points. The card features an attack called “Water Cyclone” and an attack called “Aurora Beam.” The holographic treatment on genuine copies is prominent and consistent with other Gold Star cards of the period, with the star symbol appearing in the lower right corner of the card frame.
Masakazu Fukuda’s illustration captures Suicune in a dynamic pose, and the artwork has held up well in the collector’s market. One key limitation of this card for those seeking mint condition examples is that the holo pattern and surface treatment are prone to visible wear even from careful handling. Near Mint copies, graded PSA 8 or higher, command premiums because the holographic finish is difficult to preserve without any scratches or haze visible under standard lighting. Raw copies in Mint condition are exceptionally rare and typically sell for $1,000 or more when verified authentic.
Grading and Population Data
As of July 2026, the PSA CardFacts database shows 3,577 total graded copies of Suicune EX Unseen Forces #115/115. The distribution across grades reveals market reality: PSA 9 copies are the most heavily graded and tracked tier, with 1,409 examples in the database. This grade represents an excellent condition card with minimal visible wear but acknowledges that true Gem Mint (PSA 10) examples are extraordinarily scarce. PSA 7 shows 353 copies, and PSA 6 (Excellent-Mint condition) has 205 copies recorded.
The drop-off in higher grades is steep. Fewer than 200 copies have been graded PSA 10 or PSA 10 equivalent across all population records, and those few examples remain in collections rather than circulation. The population data also reflects survivorship bias—cards were printed in 2005, and two decades of storage in various conditions means that exceptional examples represent survivorship, not abundance. A collector evaluating a raw copy purporting to be Near Mint should be aware that the holo scratches and surface imperfections are the primary limiters preventing higher grades even on well-maintained cards.
Current Secondary Market Pricing
Raw, ungraded Suicune EX Unseen Forces in Near Mint condition currently trades in the $520–$1,155 range, with an average price point around $1,000 for verified sales on eBay and TCGPlayer as of June 2026. The variance reflects condition assessment differences: conservatively graded Near Mint (closer to PSA 8 expectations) sits at $520–$700, while strictly Mint raw copies command $1,000–$1,155. Graded copies show clearer pricing: PSA 9 examples average $1,000 and up, PSA 7 hovers around $275, and PSA 6 trades in the $200–$300 range.
The price differential between grades is substantial, and it matters when calculating return on a grading investment. Sending a raw $500 card for grading carries risk: if it grades PSA 8 instead of PSA 9, the post-grading value may be $600–$700, resulting in a net loss after grading fees. Conversely, a raw card confidently assessed as PSA 9–10 quality may see value increase to $1,200+ after grading justifies the $100–$150 grading fee. The market remains steady for this card, with June 2026 sales data showing consistent prices in the established ranges without sharp volatility.
Authentication and What to Watch For
Counterfeit and altered EX-era cards have become more sophisticated, and Suicune’s value makes it a target for unauthorized reproductions. When evaluating a raw copy, examine the holo pattern closely: genuine Gold Star cards from 2005 have a specific sparkle and refraction pattern that does not perfectly replicate in modern counterfeits. The cardstock weight, card edges, and the centering of the image within the card frame are other critical checkpoints. Authentic EX Unseen Forces printings have consistent centering across the set, with recognizable small manufacturing tolerances.
One warning: altered cards—genuine cards that have been cleaned, recolored, or enhanced to appear higher in grade than they genuinely are—are harder to detect than outright fakes. A raw Suicune showing suspiciously pristine holo without any wear for a card that’s two decades old may have been cleaned. Professional graders like PSA perform authentication as part of their service, but they do not grade altered cards. If purchasing a raw copy over $700, consider grading it through a reputable service before relying on it as a high-value holding.
Comparison to Other Gold Stars in EX Unseen Forces
Suicune, Ho-Oh, and Rayquaza are the three Gold Stars in this set, and their prices reflect different demand curves. Ho-Oh (#107/115) typically commands prices 20–30% higher than Suicune, often trading raw in the $1,200–$1,400 range for Near Mint. Rayquaza (#108/115) sits in a similar range to Suicune, around $800–$1,100 for raw Near Mint.
The differences reflect collector demand, with Ho-Oh (as a legendary bird trio leader and Johto native) holding broader appeal than Suicune among casual collectors, even as Suicune itself has a substantial fanbase. The rarity level is identical for all three Gold Stars—same production run, same distribution—so the pricing variance is purely demand-driven. A collector choosing between the three based on value proposition should consider personal preference and set completion: if the goal is filling a Gold Star slot in an EX Unseen Forces master set, Suicune offers excellent visual appeal and comparable investment stability to its peers.
Tracking Pricing and Market Availability
Current pricing data for Suicune EX Unseen Forces #115/115 can be tracked through TCGPlayer, Cardmarket, and PSA CardFacts. eBay sold listings provide real-time market movement—as of June 2026, active listings and completed sales show steady demand without sharp price swings. PokeData and Bulbapedia maintain card reference information, though pricing updates vary by source.
For the most current raw pricing, TCGPlayer’s price guides aggregate multiple seller listings; for graded copies, PSA’s recent sale prices and the PSA Set Registry are authoritative. Setting a price alert on TCGPlayer or Cardmarket allows collectors to monitor when copies become available below their target price. The secondary market for this card moves consistently but not explosively—expect months-long periods of stable pricing interrupted by occasional sales of particularly high-grade copies that may temporarily move the needle on market perception. Tracking sales volume (not just asking price) helps distinguish genuine price movement from outlier listings.
