Why Is Base Set Gastly Rising in Price Going Forward?
If you collect Pokemon cards, you have probably noticed some commons from the original Base Set shooting up in value lately. Gastly, the shadowy ghost Pokemon from card number 50/102, is one such example. Right now, raw copies start around 0.65 dollars on major marketplaces, but the market price for Shadowless versions sits at 25.44 dollars with over 200 listings active. That is a big jump for a card that used to trade hands for pennies just a few years ago.[3]
What is driving this rise? First, nostalgia plays a huge role. Base Set came out in 1999 as the very first English Pokemon TCG expansion. It introduced icons like Charizard and Blastoise, but commons like Gastly get overlooked until collectors chase complete sets. As more fans aim for perfect Base Set binders, even basic cards like this one see demand grow. Shadowless prints, which lack the shadow on the right border, are especially hot because they are from the earliest runs and feel more authentic.[3]
Grading is another key factor. High-grade versions, like PSA 9s or 10s, command serious money because they prove rarity and condition. Recent sales data shows trend prices climbing, with some European markets hitting over 8 euros for near-mint normals despite short-term dips.[1] Hobby boxes and sealed products from that era are long gone, so loose cards fill the gap. Promos and reprints in modern sets, like Temporal Forces, keep Gastly in the spotlight without flooding the vintage market.[2]
Supply is tight too. Base Set commons suffered heavy play back in the day, leaving few in top shape. Print runs were smaller than later sets, and factors like sunlight fading or creases knock most down a grade. As the hobby booms with new players discovering old cards, prices for survivors keep climbing.[3]
Looking ahead, expect the upward trend to continue. Population reports for graded Gastly are low compared to stars like Venusaur, creating scarcity. Events like graded box breaks highlight Base Set pulls, drawing bidder attention.[5] If you own one, hold tight or get it slabbed. For buyers, snag raw copies now before they hit 50 dollars or more per market shifts. Keep an eye on auction sites and track sales to time your moves right.
