Why Is Base Set Nidoran Female Increasing in Collector Value?
If you have been watching the Pokemon card market lately, you might notice something interesting. The Base Set Nidoran Female card, from the original 1999 Wizards of the Coast print run, has been climbing in price. Raw copies in good condition that used to sell for around $20 to $30 a couple years ago now often go for $50 or more at auction. Graded versions, especially PSA 9s and 10s, have jumped even higher, with some recent sales hitting $200 to $400. What is driving this uptick in value for a card that was never a big star like Charizard or Blastoise?
One big reason is rarity in the grand scheme of things. Base Set had over 100 cards, but Nidoran Female stands out because it is one of the true “filler” commons that most kids overlooked back in the day. Everyone chased the rare holographics, so commons like this one got played with, bent, or tossed aside. Today, finding a well-preserved Nidoran Female is tougher than you might think. Population reports from grading companies show far fewer high-grade examples compared to popular cards. For instance, while Base Set Charizard has thousands of PSA 10s, Nidoran Female has only a handful, making it a scarce chase for set builders.
Set completion is fueling the fire too. The Pokemon TCG boom since 2020 has drawn in tons of new collectors who want full Base Set collections. Unlimited versions are more common, but shadowless and 1st edition prints of Nidoran Female are especially hard to track down in top shape. As people finish their binders, demand spikes for these overlooked gems. Online marketplaces and auction sites report steady bidding wars on low-pop commons like this, pushing prices up 50 to 100 percent in the last year alone.
Nidoran Female also has a unique appeal tied to the Pokemon lore. She is the only female version of Nidoran in the early sets, with her purple color and flower bud adding a cute, distinctive look. Fans love the Nidoran line for its evolution chain into Nidoqueen, a powerhouse in the games. Modern reprints and promo cards have kept the family in the spotlight, reminding collectors of this card’s roots. Plus, nostalgia plays a role. Original owners are cashing in on childhood favorites, and savvy buyers spot the value before it explodes.
Market trends back this up. Low-print commons from Base Set, Jungle, and Fossil have all seen gains as the vintage market matures. Nidoran Female fits right in with cards like Nidoran Male or other poison types that were ignored at release. Watch for continued growth if grading submissions stay low and the Pokemon hype keeps rolling. If you own one, hold tight or get it slabbed, because this little purple Pokemon is proving that even underdogs can deliver big returns.
