Base Set Alakazam, the holo rare from the original Pokemon TCG set, looks set for a price surge ahead due to its classic status, shrinking supply of high-grade copies, and rising collector demand for iconic first-edition cards.[1]
This card, numbered 1/102 in its shadowless holo version, has already climbed steadily. Back on January 14, 2025, near mint to mint copies sold around 118 pounds. By March 30, 2025, that jumped to a sold value of 179 pounds, with buy-now prices ranging from 178 to 224 pounds low to high.[1] That is a clear upward trend over just a couple months, driven by the card’s appeal as one of the most powerful psychic types from the Base Set release in 1999.
What makes Alakazam special? It evolves from Kadabra and Abra, forming the full psychic evolution line that defined early competitive decks. Collectors love it for its clean artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, sharp psychic powers like the 120 HP and strong attacks, and that unlimited holo shine which pops in person. As the oldest sets age, unopened booster packs dwindle, and played copies wear out. Graded versions in PSA 9 or 10 are getting harder to find in top shape, pushing raw card prices up too.[1]
Market patterns back this up. Vintage Base Set holos like Charizard grab headlines, but mid-tier stars like Alakazam follow suit when nostalgia hits. Newer sets like Scarlet and Violet 151 have their own Alakazam ex cards holding at 44 dollars ungraded or spiking to 249 dollars in perfect gem mint grades.[2][4] This keeps the Alakazam name hot, drawing fresh buyers back to the original. Promo versions and reprints dip sometimes, like the Pokemon Center Alakazam 9 falling from 87 dollars, but they boost overall hype without flooding the vintage pool.[3][5]
Supply crunch is key. Base Set printed in huge numbers originally, but 25 years later, fires, floods, and heavy play have thinned the herd. Recent sales data shows fewer shadowless holos crossing auctions in top condition, creating scarcity.[1] Add booming Pokemon TCG popularity from YouTube breaks, influencers, and investors treating cards like stocks, and demand surges. Expect more eyes on Alakazam as 2026 nears, with holidays and set anniversaries fueling buys.
If you own one, hold tight or get it graded to ride the wave. Prices could easily hit 250 pounds or more by mid-2026 if trends hold, especially for those crisp NM copies.[1] Keep watching sites like TCGPlayer and eBay sold listings for real-time shifts.
