Why Is Base Set Machop Becoming More Expensive Across Grades?
If you have been tracking Pokemon card prices lately, you might notice something interesting about Base Set Machop. This common card from the original 1999 Base Set is climbing in value, not just in top grades like PSA 10, but across lower grades too. Prices for ungraded copies sit around $1.31 right now, while Grade 8 cards go for $9.50 and Grade 9 for $14.96. Even PSA 10s have jumped from sales like $11 in 2023 to $47 in mid-2025.[1]
What makes this basic fighting-type Pokemon card worth more? One big reason points to its error status. Base Set Machop from unlimited prints often shows a yellow ink smudge on its belly, nicknamed “Yellow Belly Machop.” This printing flaw turns a cheap common into a chase card for collectors who hunt misprints. Error cards like this add rarity without needing perfect centering or edges, so they boost demand in all grades.[4]
Demand is heating up as more people discover these quirks. Low-grade copies under PSA 6 hover near $3 to $5, but recent sales show steady increases as collectors grab them before prices rise further. Top grades reflect this too: SGC 10s at $24, CGC 10s at $19.50, and BGS 10s at $52, with BGS 10 Black hitting $260.[1] The card’s simple appeal as an early evo line starter helps, tying into nostalgia for the very first Pokemon set.
Related cards give clues too. Evolutions like Machoke from Shadowless Base Set prints sold for around 1.86 pounds near mid-2025, up from earlier lows, showing broader interest in the line.[2] As Base Set stays iconic, commons with unique traits like Machop’s error get pulled into the spotlight. Keep an eye on auction sites, where these trends play out in real sales data. If you own one, check for that yellow belly, no matter the grade.
