How many 1st edition Charizards are in existence?
According to the PSA population report, there are currently only 31 PSA 10 "Gem Mint" grade 1st edition Charizards confirmed to exist. This makes it one of the absolute rarest and most coveted Pokémon cards in the world. But how did the 1st edition Base Set Charizard become so scarce and valuable? Let‘s explore its history and get into the details.
The allure of 1st edition Charizards
Charizard has always been one of the most iconic and fan-favorite Pokémon. So when the Pokémon TCG first launched in North America in 1999, demand for the powerful holographic Charizard card was through the roof even in those early days.
The 1st edition Base Set was the very first print run of Pokémon cards. It had a far more limited production compared to later unlimited Base Set prints. Exact numbers are uncertain, but experts estimate the total 1st edition print run of Charizards was likely between 120,000 to 150,000 copies.
Out of the 102 total cards in the 1st edition Base Set, only 16 were holographic rare cards, which were highly coveted for their cool Eye-popping holofoil art. Naturally, Charizard was the chase card everyone wanted to pull from packs.
Why PSA 10 Charizards are so unbelievably rare
These days, collectors obsess over the PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) 10 GEM MINT grading, which indicates a card is in absolute pristine condition – perfectly centered, flawless edges and corners, and pack-fresh quality.
Consider this:
- PSA has graded a total of 4,949 1st edition Charizards.
- Out of those nearly 5,000 copies, ONLY 31 have met the stringent requirements for a PSA 10 grade – that‘s less than 1%!
| Total PSA Graded 1st Ed. Charizards | PSA 10 "Gem Mint" Charizards |
|---|---|
| 4,949 | 31 |
This tiny population of 31 PSA 10 1st edition Charizards is why the market value is so astronomical. When there is immense demand for something, but barely any supply, prices skyrocket.
We‘ll analyze some record sales in a moment. But first, let‘s try to wrap our heads around…
Why so few PSA 10s exist
Print defects and centering issues were common out of the packaging for cards in the early days of Pokémon. Stack that on top of over two decades of time for cards to pick up wear, scratches, and dings in circulation. Getting a true flawless PSA 10 1st edition Charizard is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Another thing to consider is many 1st edition cards were printed overseas. The card stock and printing/cutting quality tended to be below the standard of USA printed cards later on.
Finally, when you account for kids simply not caring for cards well, damaged and worn copies are sadly extremely common when 1st edition cards surface today.
The fact is, the total population of PSA 10s will probably never increase by any significant margin for the 1st edition Charizard. That‘s what makes them so impossibly rare and special for collectors.
Record sales of PSA 10 Charizards
The market value of PSA 10 1st edition Charizards has steadily increased over time. But in the last few years, some auctions have shocked the hobby with record-shattering prices:
-
In January 2021, a PSA 10 1st edition Charizard sold for $350,000 at auction.
-
Just over a year later in March 2022, another PSA 10 example broke records when it sold for $420,000, the highest price ever paid for a Pokémon card publicly.
| Auction Date | Sale Price |
|---|---|
| January 2021 | $350,000 |
| March 2022 | $420,000 |
And there‘s no sign of slowing down. The new standard price for a PSA 10 seems to be in the $400k – $500k range, with the potential to eventually hit seven figures according to estimates.
But how long can prices climb? Let‘s discuss…
The future value outlook
In my opinion, the sky‘s the limit for PSA 10 1st edition Charizards for a few key reasons:
-
Demand continues to surge as more collectors and investors enter the Pokémon market.
-
The population is functionally fixed at 31 copies. Barring any dramatic re-gradings, there will never be an influx of PSA 10s.
-
As the world‘s economy grows, more wealth is created, allowing buyers to push auction prices higher.
-
Cultural nostalgia and appreciation for Pokémon continues rising over time.
Short of global economic collapse, I don‘t see any scenarios where the value decreases substantially. There will always be demand for the Mona Lisa of Pokémon cards.
While nothing is certain, my personal estimate is the first $1 million public sale happens within 5 years or less. But only time will tell!
Other insanely rare Charizards worth mentioning
While 1st edition Base Set Charizards gobble up most of the hype, here are some other very rare and valuable Charizard cards:
Shadowless Charizard
- The "shadowless" Base Set Charizard without shadows on the art is also insanely rare in PSA 10.
- A PSA 10 Shadowless Charizard sold for $336,000 in December 2020.
- There are believed to be only 18 PSA 10 Shadowless Charizards in existence.
Shining Charizard (Neo Destiny)
- This ultra rare shining Pokémon card can sell for over $10,000 in high grades.
- One of the most coveted shining cards behind the insanely rare Shining Gyarados.
Charizard Gold Star (EX Power Keepers)
- This special reverse holo Charizard has fetched over $1000 in auctions.
- Only 27 PSA 10 examples exist, compared to 436 PSA 9 copies.
- A true modern grail card for Charizard collectors and a great investment.
Conclusion
The 1st edition Base Set Charizard is truly the Holy Grail of Pokémon cards, especially in the flawless PSA 10 grade. With only 31 copies and increasing prices fetching well into six figures at auction, they are the definition of rare. While the Pokémon hobby continues evolving, the 1st edition Charizard will always be coveted and nearly unattainable for most collectors. But that won‘t stop us from dreaming!