Why Is Base Set Bill Increasing in Price Going Forward?
If you collect Pokemon Base Set cards, you have noticed Bill, the common trainer card numbered 91/102, holding steady or ticking up lately. Recent sales data shows its raw unlimited version around $22.83 with a slight dip but higher grades like CGC 9.5 at $51.44 showing a $0.21 gain.[1] First edition versions are even stronger, with PSA 9 at $71.31 up $0.62 and PSA 10 reaching $350.[2] Market listings on sites like TCGPlayer put the common at a $0.35 average, but spikes in weekly price reports signal momentum.[3] So what drives this upward trend into 2026 and beyond?
Low supply plays a big role. Bill sees tiny sales volume, just 1 sale per week for raw cards and 2 per month for top grades in unlimited, even less for first edition.[1][2] Base Set from 1999 has not seen official reprints, unlike modern sets flooding the market with new product.[4][5] As graded populations stay flat or drop with fewer low-grade submissions, raw copies get scarcer for everyday collectors.
Grading trends add fuel. While new Pokemon sets like Japanese SV9 or Terastal Fest dominate submissions with tens of thousands monthly, vintage Base Set cards like Bill see steady but low interest.[4] High-grade sales, such as BGS 9.5 at $11.50 or CGC 5 around $5, pop up rarely, pushing averages higher when they do.[1] First edition Bill in PSA 5 sold for $12.49 recently, beating older comps.[2] Collectors chase these for complete sets, and with grading costs rising, fewer people crack packs or submit beat-up cards.
Player demand keeps growing too. Bill’s effect draws back old-school fans, and its spot in every Base Set master collection makes it a staple. Budget guides highlight under $100 vintage picks with rising sales volume, fitting Bill perfectly as modern sets like Scarlet & Violet 151 focus on reprints and negative pack value.[5][6] Sealed product stays hot, but singles like this trainer fill gaps without the gamble.
Nostalgia hits harder each year. As Pokemon celebrates 30 years, Base Set trainers gain spotlight in content and flips. Watch recent sales: a shadowless first edition non-holo at $7.95 in December 2025 shows entry-level buys, but graded jumps signal smart money flowing in.[2] With volumes this low, any uptick in buyers means prices climb.
Keep an eye on eBay comps and grading pops. If first edition Bill holds $70 plus for mid grades, unlimited follows suit. For PokemonPricing.com readers, grab raw or low-grade now if building sets, as supply tightens further. Trends point to steady gains ahead.
