Why Is Base Set Rattata Rising in Cost Across Conditions?
If you collect original Base Set Pokemon cards, you might have noticed something surprising: Rattata, the little purple rat Pokemon from the very first set, is getting more expensive. This common card, numbered 61/102, used to be one of the cheapest ways to fill out a set. Now, its price is climbing in raw condition, shadowless versions, and even graded slabs. Let’s break down what’s driving this uptick and why it matters for collectors like you.
First, raw Near Mint copies are jumping fast. Recent sales data shows the 2002 Expedition version of Rattata (a Base Set reprint, #128/165) shot up by $2.05 in just the last 30 days. That’s a 69.5 percent increase, with the latest sale hitting $5.00.[1] While Expedition is not the original Base Set, it tracks closely with demand for early Rattata cards. Collectors often grab these as affordable entry points, and when prices rise here, it signals broader interest spilling over to the true Base Set originals.
The shadowless Base Set Rattata (non-holo, #61/102) is also on the move. Market prices for Near Mint or Mint copies now sit around $0.49 on major sites, up from recent lows, with UK trackers listing NM/Mint at £3.75.[2][4] Shadowless cards, printed without the drop shadow on the artwork border, are prized for their cleaner look and lower print run compared to shadowed versions. As supply of high-grade shadowless commons dries up from decades of play and wear, even basic cards like Rattata gain value. Raw copies in good shape are scarce because most got shuffled, battled, and bent back in the 90s.
Grading plays a huge role too. PSA-graded Base Set cards across the board command big premiums for verified condition and authenticity.[3] A PSA 9 or 10 Rattata might not fetch thousands like Charizard, but its price has climbed as more collectors submit commons for slabbing. Low-pop reports (few high-grade examples exist) push values higher in all conditions: raw Played jumps from pennies to dollars, Near Mint doubles, and gem mint slabs can hit triple digits. Bulk grading booms mean more investors spot these sleepers early.
Demand comes from set completionists and investors too. Base Set is the holy grail of Pokemon TCG, and with iconic cards like Blastoise or Venusaur skyrocketing, commons become the missing puzzle pieces. New collectors entering via YouTube breaks or nostalgia buys grab full sets, bidding up everything. Plus, shadowless Rattata’s crisp art appeals to art-focused buyers who overlook its “weak” status in the game.
Across conditions, from beat-up Played at a few bucks to pristine PSA 10s over $100, the trend holds. Watch recent sales on sites like TCGPlayer or eBay for confirmation: listings move quicker, and final bids creep higher each week. If you own one, hold tight or grade it. This rodent is no longer just rat race filler.
