A Charizard Base Set card graded CGC 2 currently sells in the range of $130 to $350 in the secondary market, with most transactions settling around $150 to $250. This valuation is derived from comparable PSA 2 sales data, as CGC 2 and PSA 2 represent equivalent condition grades. For example, a PSA 2 Base Set Charizard sold for $210.50 on eBay in January 2026, while another sold for $305.34 in September 2025. CGC-graded cards typically sell for slightly less than their PSA counterparts at equivalent grades, so expect prices on the lower end of this spectrum for CGC slabs specifically.
The CGC 2 grade, labeled “Good,” indicates a card with significant wear including edge-to-edge creasing and potential surface damage. Despite the low grade, this card still commands respectable prices because it remains an authenticated 1999 holographic Charizard from the original Base Set. The authentication alone provides value, as it confirms the card is genuine rather than one of the many counterfeits circulating in the market. This article covers what a CGC 2 grade means for condition, how CGC compares to PSA for resale value, whether grading a damaged Charizard makes financial sense, factors that influence pricing, and the current market outlook for low-grade vintage Pokemon cards.
Table of Contents
- Why Does A CGC 2 Charizard Base Set Still Hold Value In Today’s Market?
- How Does CGC 2 Compare To PSA 2 For Resale Value?
- What Does A CGC 2 Grade Mean For Card Condition?
- Should You Grade A Damaged Charizard Base Set Card?
- What Factors Cause Price Variation In CGC 2 Charizard Sales?
- How Has The Market For Low-Grade Vintage Charizards Changed?
- What Is The Outlook For CGC 2 Charizard Values Going Forward?
- Conclusion
Why Does A CGC 2 Charizard Base Set Still Hold Value In Today’s Market?
The short answer is authentication and scarcity. Even a heavily worn 1999 Charizard carries weight in the collector market because third-party grading companies like CGC verify the card is genuine. Counterfeit Base set charizards are common enough that buyers pay a premium for authenticated copies, regardless of condition. A raw Charizard in comparable condition might sell for $100 to $150, but the CGC slab adds $50 to $100 in value simply by eliminating authenticity concerns. The Charizard from the 1999 Base Set remains the most iconic Pokemon card ever printed.
It defined an era, launched countless collecting careers, and maintains cultural relevance nearly three decades later. This nostalgia factor creates demand across all condition grades. Collectors who cannot afford a PSA 9 or 10 at $1,000 to $10,000 or more can still own an authenticated piece of Pokemon history for under $300. However, the CGC 2 price point sits in a peculiar zone. It costs enough that casual buyers hesitate, yet falls short of the investment appeal found in higher grades. Buyers at this level typically fall into two categories: collectors who want an authentic Base Set Charizard at an accessible price, or those building type collections where they need any graded copy to complete a set.
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How Does CGC 2 Compare To PSA 2 For Resale Value?
PSA-graded cards consistently sell for more than cgc-graded cards at equivalent grade levels. This premium exists because PSA dominates the market with over 70 percent of graded Pokemon cards bearing their label. The brand recognition creates higher demand at auction, which translates directly into higher sale prices. A PSA 2 Charizard Base set might sell for $250, while a CGC 2 of the same card could close at $180 to $200. The gap between grading companies narrows somewhat at lower grades.
The PSA premium is most pronounced at the top of the scale, where a PSA 10 can sell for 20 to 30 percent more than a CGC 10 of the same card. At the CGC 2 level, the difference shrinks to perhaps 10 to 15 percent. This occurs because collectors chasing investment returns focus on high grades, while those buying low-grade cards often prioritize affordability over grading company prestige. If you already own a CGC 2 Charizard and want to maximize resale value, cracking the slab and resubmitting to PSA rarely makes sense. The grading fee, shipping costs, and risk of a lower PSA grade typically exceed any potential value increase. However, if you are buying rather than selling, a CGC 2 offers a discount compared to PSA 2 for essentially the same card condition, making it an option for budget-conscious collectors.
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What Does A CGC 2 Grade Mean For Card Condition?
A CGC 2 falls into the “Good” category, which represents significant wear that goes beyond normal play. Cards at this grade typically display edge-to-edge creasing, meaning folds or bends that travel completely across the card surface. Surface scratches, scuffing, and whitening along edges are expected. In some cases, CGC 2 cards may show writing, stickers, or other surface contamination that dropped them into this grade tier. The grading breakdown at this level distinguishes between structural integrity and cosmetic damage. A CGC 2 card maintains its basic form without tears, missing pieces, or holes.
Compare this to a CGC 1, labeled “Poor,” which might have multiple catastrophic flaws like severe creases combined with missing corners or staple holes. The CGC 2 is damaged but not destroyed. For a specific example, a Base Set Charizard at CGC 2 might show a diagonal crease running corner to corner, moderate edge wear with visible white cardboard exposed, and light scratches across the holographic surface. The card is clearly played, likely handled extensively during the Pokemon craze of the late 1990s. Despite this wear, the holo pattern remains visible and the card is complete. Collectors purchasing at this grade understand they are buying a survivor, not a display piece.
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Should You Grade A Damaged Charizard Base Set Card?
Grading a Base Set Charizard makes financial sense even at low expected grades because the authentication value and the raw card’s baseline price justify the expense. CGC charges approximately $20 to $30 for standard grading tiers, depending on turnaround time selected. A raw Base Set Charizard in visibly worn condition might sell for $100 to $150, while the same card in a CGC 2 slab could sell for $150 to $250. The math works in favor of grading. The tradeoff involves time and risk. Standard grading turnaround at CGC runs several weeks to months depending on service level.
If you need to sell quickly, waiting for grading may not align with your timeline. Additionally, there is always risk that the card grades lower than expected. If your Charizard comes back as a CGC 1 instead of CGC 2, the value difference could be $30 to $50 or more. Compare this to grading a modern card in poor condition. A damaged card from a recent set might cost $20 to grade but only be worth $10 to $15 slabbed. The vintage status and collector demand for Base Set Charizard specifically makes it one of the few cards where low-grade grading remains profitable. This exception does not apply broadly to the Pokemon market.
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What Factors Cause Price Variation In CGC 2 Charizard Sales?
Auction timing creates significant price swings for identical cards. A CGC 2 Charizard that ends on a Tuesday afternoon might close at $160, while the same card ending Sunday evening could reach $280. Bidder activity, competing listings, and even seasonal factors influence final prices. The recent sales data shows CGC 2 equivalent cards ranging from roughly $130 to $420 over a six-month period, demonstrating this volatility. The specific flaws matter to some buyers. A CGC 2 with a single prominent crease might appeal more than one with multiple smaller creases plus surface damage, even though both received the same numeric grade.
CGC provides subgrades for centering, surface, edges, and corners, which can help buyers evaluate the specific issues. Cards with better subgrades in certain categories may command small premiums. Beware of outlier sales in either direction. A CGC 2 that sold for $400 might have caught two determined bidders in an auction war, not reflecting sustainable market value. Similarly, a $120 sale might indicate a listing with poor photos or an ending time when few buyers were active. Looking at 10 to 20 recent sales provides a more reliable value range than any single transaction.
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How Has The Market For Low-Grade Vintage Charizards Changed?
The 2020-2021 Pokemon boom dramatically altered the market for all grades of vintage cards. Before the boom, a PSA 2 or CGC 2 Base Set Charizard might have sold for $50 to $80. The surge in collector interest pushed even low grades into the $200 to $400 range at peak.
Prices have since corrected from those highs but remain substantially above pre-boom levels, with current values approximately three to five times what they were in 2019. Entry-level vintage cards now serve as an on-ramp for new collectors priced out of high-grade specimens. A CGC 2 Charizard at $200 allows someone to own an authenticated piece of Pokemon history without the $1,000-plus commitment required for a PSA 8 or the $6,000-plus needed for a PSA 10 Unlimited copy. This democratization of vintage collecting has created sustained demand at lower grade levels that did not exist previously.
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What Is The Outlook For CGC 2 Charizard Values Going Forward?
The 30th anniversary of Pokemon in 2026 is expected to generate renewed interest in vintage cards, potentially driving prices upward across all grades. Industry analysts project 15 to 25 percent appreciation for vintage cards through the anniversary period. Low-grade cards may not see the same percentage gains as high-grade specimens, but absolute dollar increases remain likely.
Long-term fundamentals favor continued appreciation. The supply of genuine 1999 Base Set Charizards is fixed, while the collector base continues to grow as the generation that played Pokemon as children enters peak earning years. Each year, some number of raw cards get damaged, lost, or destroyed, further constraining supply. However, low grades face more price resistance than high grades because buyers seeking investment returns focus their capital on PSA 9 and 10 examples, leaving CGC 2 cards primarily to collectors buying for personal enjoyment rather than speculation.
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Conclusion
A Charizard Base Set CGC 2 represents an accessible entry point into vintage Pokemon collecting, currently valued between $130 and $350 depending on specific condition details and auction timing. The card commands these prices despite significant wear because authentication eliminates counterfeit concerns and the Charizard’s iconic status generates demand across all grade levels. Collectors considering a purchase should compare CGC 2 prices against PSA 2 equivalents, as PSA typically commands a 10 to 15 percent premium at this grade level.
For those with damaged Base Set Charizards considering grading, the mathematics generally support submission. The increase in value from raw to slabbed typically exceeds grading costs, making this one of the few vintage cards where low-grade grading remains profitable. Going forward, vintage Charizard values appear positioned for continued growth, though low-grade cards will likely see more modest appreciation than their gem mint counterparts. Buyers should focus on cards they intend to keep rather than those purchased purely for investment purposes.
