Why Is Base Set Poliwhirl Increasing in Price Going Forward?
Poliwhirl from the original Base Set, card number 38/102, is seeing its price climb steadily, especially for the 1st Edition Shadowless non-holo version. Collectors on sites like PokeCardValues track this card’s near mint sold value jumping from 30.05 pounds in January 2025 to 20.79 pounds by June 2025, with highs reaching 29.72 pounds in recent sales.[1] This upward trend points to stronger demand ahead.
One big reason is the card’s rarity in top condition. Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless prints are tough to find pristine, and graded versions like CGC 10 are popping up in auctions, drawing serious buyers who want perfect copies.[5] As fewer unopened booster packs surface from the 1999 release, supply shrinks while nostalgia grows.
Poliwhirl fits into the popular Poliwag evolution line, which has gained fans lately. Its artwork shows the tadpole Pokemon mid-spin with swirling water, a classic look from the earliest Pokemon TCG days. Unlimited Base Set versions still sit cheap at around 1.24 dollars market price with hundreds of listings, but the premium 1st Edition Shadowless stands out for investors.[4]
Market shifts help too. Sites now pull data from TCG Player for fresher numbers, replacing older eBay stats, which highlights real-time demand.[1] Vintage Base Set cards overall heat up as Pokemon TCG celebrates 25-plus years, with Poliwhirl riding that wave without the hype of Charizard or Blastoise.
Low print runs for Shadowless compared to later sets keep pressure on prices. Recent sales show consistent bids above 20 pounds even for ungraded near mint, and graded gems command way more.[1][5] With holiday collector rushes and fewer estate finds, expect this to push values higher into 2026.
Modern Poliwhirl cards from Scarlet & Violet 151, like the illustration rare at 33.34 dollars last sale with a 66.8 percent 30-day jump, boost interest in the whole line.[3] This crossover appeal funnels new money into vintage Base Set chasers.
Track your Poliwhirl on collection tools to watch sales, and grab near mint or better now before the climb steepens. Prices reflect collector passion for these early uncommons turning into sleeper hits.
