A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard from the Base Set typically sells for $150 to $250, with recent auction data showing sales in the $175 to $202 range as of late 2024. This places it at the lower end of the graded Charizard market, sitting below the PSA 6 grade (which has sold for around $147 in early 2025) and above PSA 1-2 grades that range from $163 to $305 depending on auction circumstances. For collectors seeking an authenticated Base Set Charizard without paying four-figure prices, the PSA 4 represents an accessible entry point into owning one of the most iconic cards in Pokemon history.
The PSA 4 grade, known as VG-EX (Very Good-Excellent), indicates a card with noticeable surface wear, slightly rounded corners, and possibly a light crease or two. For context, a raw Unlimited Charizard in lightly played condition recently sold for around $220, meaning the price difference between raw and PSA 4 graded copies is relatively narrow. This article covers what factors influence PSA 4 pricing, how the Unlimited version compares to rarer variants, whether a PSA 4 makes sense as an investment, and what to look for when buying one.
Table of Contents
- How Is The Value Of A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard Base Set Determined?
- What Does A PSA 4 VG-EX Grade Actually Mean?
- How Does The Unlimited Version Compare To Shadowless And 1st Edition?
- Is A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard Worth Buying?
- What Are The Risks When Buying A PSA 4 Charizard?
- Where Should You Buy A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard?
- Future Outlook For PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard Values
- Conclusion
How Is The Value Of A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard Base Set Determined?
The psa-3-2/” title=”What Is The Value Of A Unlimited Charizard Base Set PSA 3″>value of a PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard depends on several interconnected factors: population count, recent comparable sales, overall market conditions, and buyer intent. According to PSA population reports, there are approximately 8,661 Unlimited Charizards graded at PSA 4 out of roughly 90,239 total graded copies. This places PSA 4 in the middle tier of the population distribution, with fewer copies than the PSA 5-7 range but more than the PSA 1-3 grades. Recent auction data from PSA shows the grade selling in the $175 to $202 range, though prices fluctuate based on auction timing and buyer demand.
Compared to higher grades, the price gap is substantial: a PSA 8 recently sold for $1,475 to $1,617, while PSA 7 copies have ranged from $405 to over $2,600 depending on the auction. The lower grades occupy an unusual market position where authenticity and condition protection matter, but the condition itself does not command premium pricing. One important comparison: a raw Unlimited Charizard in lightly played condition was recently sold for $219.99, which is roughly equivalent to or even higher than some PSA 4 sales. This means buyers of PSA 4 copies are paying primarily for authentication and long-term preservation rather than condition premium. The sealed PSA holder prevents further deterioration and confirms the card is genuine, which has value even when the grade itself is modest.
What Does A PSA 4 VG-EX Grade Actually Mean?
PSA 4 is classified as VG-EX, standing for Very Good to Excellent. According to PSA grading standards, a card at this grade will have corners that may be slightly rounded with evident surface wear. Light scratches, minor scuffing, and some loss of the original gloss are typical. A light crease may be visible, and the borders may show slight off-whiteness. Centering must meet a minimum of 85/15 on the front and 90/10 on the back. In practical terms, a PSA 4 Charizard is a card that has seen some handling over its 25-plus year life.
The holo pattern will still be visible and attractive, but close inspection will reveal the wear that pushed it below the higher grades. For many collectors, this is perfectly acceptable for a display piece or for completing a vintage collection without spending thousands of dollars. However, if you are purchasing a PSA 4 with the expectation of it looking “near mint” in hand, you will be disappointed. The grade exists specifically because the card has visible flaws. Some PSA 4 copies look better than others depending on where the wear is concentrated, so examining photos before purchasing is essential. A card with wear distributed evenly across the surface may appear better than one with a prominent corner ding, even though both received the same grade.
How Does The Unlimited Version Compare To Shadowless And 1st Edition?
The Unlimited Base Set Charizard is the most common of the three major 1999 variants, and this is reflected directly in pricing. The 1st Edition Charizard, identifiable by the “Edition 1” stamp on the left side, is the rarest and most valuable, with PSA 10 copies selling for six figures and even lower grades commanding thousands of dollars. The shadowless variant, printed before the unlimited run but without the 1st Edition stamp, falls in the middle with PSA 10 copies selling for around $40,000 in recent auctions. To illustrate the price disparity: while an Unlimited PSA 4 sells for roughly $150-$250, a 1st Edition PSA 4 would likely sell for $2,000 or more. The Shadowless variant at PSA 4 would fall somewhere between these figures.
This massive price gap exists because the Unlimited version was printed in enormous quantities (estimates suggest 500,000 to 3 million Charizards exist) while the 1st Edition had a much smaller print run that sold out before Pokemon mania peaked in America. Visual differences help distinguish the variants. The 1st Edition has the stamp and no shadow on the right side of the character box. Shadowless cards lack the stamp but also have no shadow. Unlimited cards have the shadow effect and later print runs can be identified by differences in the copyright line. Collectors should verify which variant they are purchasing, as some sellers may not clearly distinguish between them.
Is A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard Worth Buying?
Whether a PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard is worth buying depends entirely on your collecting goals. For collectors who want an authenticated, protected piece of Pokemon history at a reasonable price, the PSA 4 offers genuine value. The card is verified authentic, sealed against future damage, and carries the iconic status of the Base Set Charizard regardless of its grade. From a pure investment standpoint, the math is less compelling. Graded cards generally outperform raw cards in long-term value retention, but the significant price multipliers occur at PSA 8 and above.
A PSA 4 is unlikely to appreciate dramatically in value because the supply at that grade is substantial and demand concentrates on higher-condition copies. Between 2020 and 2023, Pokemon card prices surged 200-500% during the pandemic boom, then corrected 30-40% before stabilizing at current levels. Most of that appreciation went to gem mint copies. The tradeoff is clear: a PSA 4 costs roughly $150-$250, while a PSA 8 costs $1,400-$1,600 and a PSA 9 costs around $900-$1,000 (in GBP terms, roughly 280-320 pounds for PSA 7, 420-460 for PSA 8, and 900-1,000 for PSA 9). If your budget is limited and you want a graded Charizard now, the PSA 4 delivers that. If you can save for a higher grade, the PSA 8 or 9 offers better long-term value stability and stronger resale potential.
What Are The Risks When Buying A PSA 4 Charizard?
The primary risk with PSA 4 purchases is overpaying relative to comparable raw cards. As noted earlier, a raw lightly played Charizard has sold for around $220 recently, which overlaps with or exceeds the PSA 4 price range. If a seller is asking $250 or more for a PSA 4, you should compare that to what raw copies are selling for and consider whether the grading premium is justified. Another limitation is the condition variance within the grade. PSA 4 cards can have very different appearances depending on the specific flaws.
One card might have strong corners but surface scratches, while another has clean surfaces but rounded corners. Photos are essential before purchasing, and buying sight-unseen from auctions carries risk if images are limited or unclear. Market timing also matters. The Pokemon card market experienced significant volatility between 2020 and 2023, and while prices have stabilized, external factors like economic conditions, new Pokemon releases, or changes in collector interest can shift values. PSA 4 copies, being at the lower end of the desirability spectrum, are more vulnerable to price drops during market downturns because collector demand gravitates toward higher grades when budgets tighten.
Where Should You Buy A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard?
eBay remains the largest marketplace for PSA-graded Pokemon cards, with an authenticity guarantee on cards over $250. Searching for sold listings rather than active listings gives accurate market pricing. PSA’s own auction price database tracks historical sales by grade and provides verified transaction data.
Specialized platforms like TCGPlayer, PWCC, and Goldin Auctions also list graded vintage cards, often with detailed photos and condition notes. For example, a collector searching eBay in late 2024 could find PSA 4 Unlimited Charizards listed between $180 and $280, with sold prices clustering around $175-$200. Comparing multiple sources before buying ensures you are not overpaying relative to current market rates.
Future Outlook For PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard Values
The long-term outlook for PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard values is relatively stable but not particularly bullish. With approximately 8,661 copies graded at this level and more entering the population as collectors continue submitting cards, supply is not scarce. The nostalgia factor and iconic status of the card provide a floor for value, but dramatic appreciation is unlikely unless overall market conditions shift significantly.
For collectors who care more about owning a piece of Pokemon history than maximizing investment returns, the PSA 4 offers an affordable way to own an authenticated Base Set Charizard. The card will likely retain its value over time, even if it does not generate the returns seen at higher grades. Those viewing the card purely as an investment would be better served saving for a PSA 8 or higher, where scarcity and demand provide stronger price support.
Conclusion
A PSA 4 Unlimited Charizard from the Base Set sells for approximately $150 to $250 based on recent auction data, placing it at the lower end of the graded market for this iconic card. The VG-EX grade indicates visible wear including potentially rounded corners, surface scratches, and minor creases, but the card remains an authenticated and protected piece of 1990s Pokemon history. With roughly 8,661 copies graded at PSA 4 and an estimated 500,000 to 3 million Unlimited Charizards printed, this is not a scarce item, but it carries nostalgic and collector value regardless.
For buyers, the key consideration is purpose. If you want an affordable, authenticated Charizard for your collection or display, the PSA 4 delivers that at a fraction of the cost of higher grades. If investment potential is your primary concern, the PSA 8 and above tiers offer better long-term prospects despite the higher entry cost. Whatever your decision, verify current pricing through sold listings rather than asking prices, examine photos carefully to assess condition variance within the grade, and confirm you are purchasing the Unlimited variant rather than accidentally paying Unlimited prices for what you thought was a Shadowless or 1st Edition card.
