The 4th Print Pokémon Base Set refers to a specific late production run of the original Base Set trading cards, released by Wizards of the Coast in 1999-2000, where cards like the famous Charizard holo carry a “1999-2000” copyright date and were mainly distributed in Europe, particularly the UK.[1][4] These cards stand out because they came after earlier prints like the 1st Edition, Shadowless, and standard Unlimited versions, making them rarer due to limited regional printing and lower survival rates from heavy play back in the day.[1][6]
To get the full picture, you have to go back to how Pokémon cards started. The Pokémon Trading Card Game exploded in 1999 when Wizards of the Coast brought the Japanese sets to the West. The very first was the Base Set, with 102 cards full of iconic Pokémon like Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur. This set had different print waves as demand went crazy. The absolute earliest were 1st Edition cards, marked with a stamp in the bottom left, super limited because they only printed those for the initial launch.[2][4] Then came Shadowless prints, which skipped the shadow around the artwork and the black star rarity symbol, printed in smaller numbers before they fixed the design.[2][6] After that, Unlimited prints flooded the market with the full shadows and stars, way more common.[4]
But here’s where the 4th Print fits in. It’s basically the final wave of the original Base Set, often called the “1999-2000 Print” or “4th issue.”[1][6] These have a copyright line at the bottom saying “©1995, 99, 2000 Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK,” adding that extra “2000” year because printing stretched into the new millennium.[1][4] Unlike the US floods of Unlimited cards, these 4th Prints were made exclusively for Europe, especially the UK market, to meet demand there without messing with the main US runs.[1][6] Wizards of the Coast even corrected some small errors from earlier prints in this batch, like certain artwork tweaks seen in other sets, which adds to their appeal for collectors spotting those fixes.[6]
Take the Charizard 4/102 holo as the star example. This fiery dragon card from the Base Set is already a legend, but the 4th Print version is special. Sites tracking prices show near-mint copies selling for around £591 as of early 2025, with values climbing because so few survive in good shape.[1] It’s not just any Charizard—it’s from that late European run, with the dual-year copyright making it pop out from regular Unlimited ones.[1] Collectors love it because production numbers were low; they didn’t print masses like the earlier waves, and many got played to bits by kids battling in the early 2000s.[1][4]
Why is this 4th Print so rare? First off, quantity. Early prints like 1st Edition and Shadowless were intentionally limited to build hype—fewer packs meant fewer cards entered circulation.[2][6] By the 4th Print, Wizards was winding down the Base Set to move to Jungle, Fossil, and Base Set 2 compilations, so they didn’t overproduce.[4] Europe got its own targeted batch, not a global dump, keeping supply tight.[1][4] Second, condition matters huge. These cards hit stores in 1999-2000 when Pokémon fever was peak—kids ripped packs, sleeved poorly, bent edges, you name it. High-grade survivors, like PSA 10 gems, are unicorns because time and play wrecked most.[1][3] For comparison, Base Set 2 Charizard holos (a reprint set) in PSA 10 have sold for $12,000 or more recently, but even those aren’t as niche as the true Base Set 4th Print.[3]
Survival odds get worse with age. Over 25 years, cards fade in sunlight, stick in binders, or get lost in attics. Grading companies like PSA report tiny populations for these late prints—way lower than Unlimited floods.[1][2] Errors and variants boost rarity too. Some Base Set cards had printing glitches fixed in later runs, like the black star missing on certain holos, and the 4th Print often shows those corrections, making error-free versions chase items.[2][6] Ninetales holo had a “Black Flame” variant rarer in Unlimited prints, hinting at how print changes created scarcities.[6]
Market proof screams rarity. While a standard Unlimited Charizard might go for hundreds, 4th Print versions hold premium prices, especially graded.[1] Look at auction trends: Base Set holos from early prints smash records, like First Edition Shadowless Chansey at $55,000 or Mewtwo at $15,000, and the 4th Print rides that wave as a “sleeper” rare.[2] Base Set 2, the next compilation with 130 cards and no First Editions, reprints Base Set stuff but lacks the original print magic—its Charizard PSA 10s hit $8,600 to $12,000, showing demand for any Base lineage, but purists chase the true 4th Print Base for authenticity.[3][4]
Spotting a real 4th Print takes know-how. Check the copyright: “1999-2000” seals it.[1] No First Edition stamp, full shadows on art, black star present— that’s your Unlimited-style but with the year tweak.[6] Holo patterns might differ slightly from US prints due to factory variances, and European packs sometimes had unique wrappers.[1][4] Fakes exist, so graders like PSA or BGS verify with population reports—low pops mean high value.[1][2]
Beyond Charizard, the whole set shines in 4th Print. Venusaur, Blastoise, Zapdos—all holos carry that rarity bump.[2] Even commons get love from set completists. Base Set kicked off everything: 102 cards, 16 holos, energy basics, trainers like Scoop Up. It set rules for battling—attach energy, evolve, attack. 4th Print captures that nostalgia pure, from the era before reprints diluted it.[4]
Collectors hunt these for portfolios. A full 4th Print Base Set in high grade? Dream tier, worth thousands because assembling one means sourcing 102 tough cards.[1] Online trackers like Poke Card Values log sales, showing steady climbs—£591 for NM Charizard in Jan 2025, with gaps in data hinting scarcity.[1] eBay and TCGPlayer fuel the market, affiliates noting switches to TCGPlayer for accuracy.[1][3]
Printing tech played a role in rarity. Early Wizards runs used sheets with errors—double backs, inverted prints, gray stamps on some sets.[6] Base Set 4th avoided worst glitches but stayed low-volume. Europe-exclusive meant no US booster floods, unlike Base Set 2’s wider release on Feb 24, 2000, with 130 cards recompiling oldies plus Dark Pokémon intros.
