Why Is Base Set Dugtrio Rising in Cost Across All Grades?
If you collect older Pokemon cards, you have noticed Base Set Dugtrio getting pricier lately. This rare card from the original 1999 Base Set, number 19 out of 102, now has a market price of $6.84, with listings starting at $1.38 across various conditions.[3] Prices for ungraded copies, PSA 9s, and even PSA 10 gems are climbing together, which is not common for most cards.
Base Set Dugtrio shows three fierce Dugtrio heads popping out of the ground, ready to attack. It evolves from Diglett and packs strong moves like Dig and Fissure in the early game meta. Back then, players loved it for quick damage in decks. Today, that nostalgia drives demand as collectors chase complete Base Set rainbows.
Recent sales data points to steady upward movement. Over 300 listings on major sites confirm the jump, with raw near mint copies pushing past older lows.[3] Graded versions follow suit because slabs protect these 25-year-old cards from wear, and gem mint PSA 10s are tough to find due to print quality from the era.
Part of the rise ties to Base Set hype overall. The set’s iconic status means any rare with play history or cool art heats up fast. Dugtrio fits that bill, especially as younger collectors enter the market and hunt affordable icons under $10 raw.
Error card rumors add fuel too. Base Set has famous misprints like rotated energy symbols on related Diglett cards from starter sets.[6] While Dugtrio itself lacks a confirmed mass error, whispers of print quirks in early runs spark hunts. Collectors grade suspect copies hoping for that edge, boosting all grades.
Supply stays tight. Unlimited prints exist, but high-grade survivors are scarce after decades of play. Recent grading waves show more submissions, yet populations lag behind flashier cards like Charizard.
Competitive play nods help. Modern decks sometimes nod to classics, and Dugtrio appears in XY Base Set reprints, reminding players of its roots.[3] This cross-era appeal keeps eyes on the original.
Watch auctions closely. With market price at $6.84 and climbing, raw deals under $2 vanish quick.[3] If you own one, consider grading for that PSA 10 pop. Demand looks solid as Base Set stays king.
