Why Is Base Set First Edition Blastoise Becoming Nearly Untouchable?
If you have been watching Pokemon card prices, you know Base Set First Edition Blastoise is one of those cards that keeps climbing out of reach for most collectors. This holo rare from the 1999 Base Set, card number 2 out of 102, stands out because it is from the very first print run marked with the “1st Edition” stamp in the corner. Unlike later Unlimited or Shadowless versions, these originals are super limited, and high-grade copies are now almost impossible to find at fair prices.[1][3][4]
The main reason it feels untouchable starts with raw supply issues. Back in 1999, Wizards of the Coast printed far fewer First Edition cards before switching to bigger runs. Blastoise, as the final evolution of starter Squirtle, has always had solid demand from fans who love the Water-type powerhouse. But today, most surviving copies are beat up from years of play, leaving pristine ones rare. Look at recent sales: a raw near mint version sold for just $49.74 as late as February 2025, but that is the cheap end. Once graded, prices explode. A PSA 9 went for $8.25 in mid-2025, a PSA 8 for $3.75, and even lower grades like PSA 7 or 5 still fetch thousands in the right auction.[1][4]
Graded gems take it to another level. Top-tier PSA 10 First Edition Blastoise can hit five figures or more, putting it in the same league as other Base Set stars like Chansey or Venusaur, which have sold for $55,000 in GEM MT 10 condition. Blastoise follows that trend because collectors chase complete First Edition starter sets alongside Charizard and Venusaur. Recent data shows PSA 10 Unlimited Blastoise (not even First Edition) at $3,730, but the stamped version is way scarcer, driving values higher as supply dries up.[1][3]
Market heat adds fuel. Pokemon TCG has boomed since 2020, with nostalgia pulling in new buyers who want the originals. Sites like PriceCharting track steady rises: ungraded up $6 recently to $65, PSA 9 up $22 to $539, PSA 9.5 steady at $587. Low sales volume tells the story, too, with just one ungraded sale per day and one PSA 9 sale per month. Everyone holding wants to keep them.[1]
Fakes and proxies make it worse. You can buy high-quality proxy versions on sites like Etsy for under $10 or $20, mimicking the First Edition look perfectly. These flood the market for casual display, but they scare buyers away from ungraded originals. Real deals now mean verified slabs from PSA, BGS, or CGC, and even those move slow because owners know the value will keep growing.[4][5]
Investor interest seals the deal. Trackers like Sports Card Investor show consistent upward trends for Blastoise grades, with low recent sales meaning big jumps when one pops up. As Base Set First Edition cards become museum pieces, Blastoise rides the wave of its starter status and clean design, making it tougher to grab than ever.[3][4]
