# The Record Sale Price for a 4th Print Venusaur
When collectors talk about valuable Pokémon cards, they often focus on first edition cards or cards with printing errors that make them exceptionally rare. However, the story of Venusaur cards and their market value is more nuanced than simply looking at the highest price ever paid.
The most famous Venusaur sale in Pokémon card history involves a Base Set No Rarity Venusaur that sold for $55,000 in 2021 at a PWCC auction (now known as Fanatics Collect). This particular card is extraordinary not because it’s a 4th print, but because it has a significant printing error. The black star that normally appears in the bottom right corner of Pokémon cards to denote rarity is completely missing from this card. Additionally, this specific copy was signed by the card’s artist, Mitsuhiro Arita, which added considerable value to it. The card received a PSA grading of GEM MT 10, indicating it was in near-perfect condition. According to the auction house, this copy is thought to be one of only three cards of this type ever given out, making it exceptionally rare.
When we look specifically at Erika’s Venusaur from the Gym Challenge set (card number 4/132), the pricing landscape is quite different. This is a more common card compared to the Base Set No Rarity Venusaur, and therefore commands significantly lower prices on the secondary market. Recent sales data shows that ungraded copies of Erika’s Venusaur in near mint condition have sold for around $135. Graded copies vary considerably based on their condition rating. A PSA 3 graded copy sold for approximately $40, while a CGC 3 graded copy sold for $39.99. Even lower-graded copies, such as a PSA 2, have sold for around $25 to $26.
The term “4th print” in Pokémon card collecting typically refers to cards from later print runs of a particular set. These cards are generally less valuable than first edition or unlimited early print run versions because they were produced in larger quantities. The Gym Challenge set, which includes Erika’s Venusaur, was released in 1999 and has had multiple print runs over the years. Cards from later print runs are more common in the collector market, which naturally depresses their value compared to earlier printings.
It’s important to understand that the Pokémon card market is highly dependent on several factors beyond just the print run. The condition of the card, whether it has been professionally graded, the specific grading company used (PSA, BGS, CGC, etc.), and the grade itself all play crucial roles in determining value. A card in mint condition will be worth substantially more than the same card in poor condition. Professional grading adds credibility to the card’s condition assessment, which collectors value highly.
The highest recorded sale price for any Venusaur card remains that $55,000 Base Set No Rarity example, but this is an exceptional outlier due to its unique printing error and artist signature. For more typical Venusaur cards, including Erika’s Venusaur from Gym Challenge, prices are measured in tens to low hundreds of dollars rather than thousands.
The Pokémon card market has experienced significant fluctuations since the trading card game’s resurgence in popularity around 2020. Some cards have appreciated in value, while others have seen their prices decline as market enthusiasm has normalized. The most valuable Pokémon cards tend to be those with historical significance, printing errors, or extreme rarity, rather than simply being from a particular print run.
For collectors interested in Erika’s Venusaur specifically, the realistic expectation for a 4th print version would be in the range of $30 to $150 depending on condition and grading, with ungraded near mint copies typically selling in the $100 to $150 range. Graded copies in lower conditions might sell for $20 to $50. These prices reflect the card’s status as a desirable but not exceptionally rare card from the Gym Challenge era.
The distinction between different print runs of Pokémon cards is something that serious collectors pay close attention to, but it’s worth noting that even within the same set and card number, condition and grading have a far more dramatic impact on price than the specific print run. A pristine first edition copy will always command a premium, but a well-preserved unlimited or later print run copy can still hold significant value for collectors who appreciate the card’s artwork and historical place in the Pokémon trading card game.
