Why Is Base Set Vulpix Rising in Price Long Term?
If you collect older Pokemon cards, you might have noticed Base Set Vulpix from the original 1999 set climbing in value over time. This common non-holo card, numbered 68/102, sits at around 19 pounds for near mint copies in recent sales, up from lower prices just months ago.[1] Graded versions and special prints show even stronger growth, pointing to solid long-term potential for collectors.
One big reason is its status as an error card. Early prints of Base Set Vulpix, including 1st Edition, Shadowless, and unlimited 1999 versions, list the HP wrong as “HP 50” instead of the correct “50 HP”. This mistake carried over from the Base Set and was only fixed in a later UK print run.[4] Error cards like this draw serious collectors who hunt rarities, and as fewer pristine copies surface from the 25-plus-year-old supply, demand pushes prices higher.
Take the 1st Edition Shadowless version. Market data shows sold values holding steady at 19 pounds near mint as of early 2025, with highs reaching much more for top condition.[1] Even Japanese Base Set Vulpix from 1996, a close cousin, has graded PSA 9 copies jumping from 10 dollars in 2024 to 35 dollars by late 2025, and gem mint BGS 9.5 at 36 dollars.[2] These trends mirror English versions, as global nostalgia fuels the rise.
Base Set cards overall benefit from being the first expansion, with Vulpix as an affordable entry point. Unlike pricier Charizards or Blastoises, this common stays under 20 dollars ungraded but appreciates as vintage stock dries up. TCGPlayer lists similar Base Set Vulpix at 0.15 dollars raw, but that’s unlimited prints, not the error-heavy early ones driving the surge.[3]
Nostalgia plays a role too. Vulpix, the cute fire fox Pokemon, evokes memories of the Pokemon boom. With fewer unlimited error cards in circulation and corrected versions scarcer in some markets, long-term holders see steady gains. High-end grades like PSA 9 or BGS 9.5 already trade at premiums, hinting at bigger jumps ahead as the set ages.
For buyers, focus on Shadowless or 1st Edition with verified errors. Prices reflect supply shrinking faster than demand, making it a smart hold for patient collectors. Keep an eye on grading trends, as slabbed errors often double or triple raw values over years.
