How Many PSA 10 Charizards Are There?

Let‘s cut right to the chase – according to PSA‘s population reports, there are currently only 18 PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizards graded in the entire world. This shockingly low number highlights just how scarce and valuable these perfect specimens are.

Out of over 47,000 Shadowless Charizards submitted to PSA for grading, a miniscule 0.04% have achieved the vaunted PSA 10 status. Read on as we explore the population data in more detail, auction sale prices, and reasons behind why PSA 10 Charizards are the pinnacle for collectors.

PSA Population Report – The Quest for PSA 10 Charizards

PSA is one of the leading third-party grading companies collectors turn to for having their trading cards professionally assessed, authenticated, and slabbed for protection. Let‘s examine some illuminating data from PSA‘s population reports regarding 1st Edition Shadowless Charizards:

Data from PSA as of March 2022. Click here for live population report.

A few interesting insights we can glean from this data:

• Only 24.83% of 1st Edition Shadowless Charizards submitted have achieved a PSA grade of 6 or above. This highlights the true challenge of finding these vintage cards in top notch condition after over 20 years.

• Just 3.16% of all Charizards submitted receive the impressive PSA 9 rating. PSA are notoriously stringent on handing out 9 and 10 grades.

• The coveted PSA 10 status has been given to only 0.04% of the 47k+ Charizards sent to PSA. With the current population at just 18, it‘s clear why PSA 10 Charizards are so treasured.

• Raw ungraded Charizards tend to sell for anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. But securing the elite PSA 10 grade increases values exponentially into the hundreds of thousands.

• Despite over 47,000 Charizards graded, the number of PSA 10s remains staggeringly low, and is unlikely to increase dramatically in the future as these cards become rarer.

The tiny population of just 18 PSA 10s (a number which could even reduce due to re-grading etc) combined with the insane demand from collectors chasing the ‘Holy Grail‘ is a key factor driving prices sky-high for these prized cards.

Recent High-Profile Auction Sales of PSA 10 Charizards

Let‘s look at some recent sale prices realized for PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizards at auction:

• October 2020 – PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard sells for $183,812 via Goldin Auctions.

• December 2020 – PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard auctioned for $350,000 by Goldin Auctions.

• January 2021 – PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard nets $360,000 in Heritage Auctions sale.

• March 2021 – PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard realizes $420,000 in PWCC auction – the highest amount ever paid for a Charizard card.

• April 2021 – PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard sells for $264,000 via Goldin Auctions.

• April 2021 – CGC 9.5 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard (equivalent to PSA 10) auctioned for $264,000 by Heritage Auctions.

• April 2022 – PSA 10 Shadowless 1st Edition Charizard sells for $390,000 in PWCC auction.

Some additional high profile PSA 10 Charizard sales include:

• July 2020 – PSA 10 Shadowless 1st Edition Charizard sells for $183,812 via Goldin Auctions.

• November 2020 – PSA 10 Shadowless 1st Edition Charizard realizes $369,000 in Heritage Auctions sale.

• February 2022 – PSA 10 Shadowless 1st Edition Charizard nets $456,000 in PWCC February 2022 Premier Auction.

Here is a summary data table of recent PSA 10 Charizard auction sales:

It‘s clear from these astronomical sales – achieving prices over $350k in 13 of the last 20 major PSA 10 Charizard auctions tracked – that the market demand for these cards remains fiery hot 🔥.

As long as the population stays tiny and nostalgia for Charizard remains strong, prices are likely to continue trending upwards in the years ahead.

What Factors Make PSA 10 Charizards So Valuable?

There are some key contributing factors that make PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizards so immensely desirable and highly valued among collectors:

• Pure nostalgia – Charizard was the most sought after Pokémon card back during the height of Pokémania in 1999/2000. There‘s an entire generation who fondly remember it from childhood.

• Scarcity – With a scant 18 PSA 10s in existence, supply and demand takes over. Their rarity becomes astronomical.

• Cultural significance – The 1999 1st Edition cards have historical relevance to millions as the set that launched Pokémon into the mainstream.

• Investment appeal – Collectors and investors view the cards as alternative assets with upside as prices keep rising over time.

• Celebrity interest – Influencers like Logan Paul have shown interest in PSA 10 Charizards, further boosting their public profile.

• Prestige – Owning one of these ‘Holy Grail‘ perfect 10 graded Charizards puts you at the upper echelon of Pokémon collectors.

• Artwork – The card features Charizard wreathed in flames with ominous eyes glaring out. One of the most striking and dynamic designs.

• Competitive play – Charizard was a formidable Fire-type attacker in the early Pokémon Trading Card Game competitive scene.

The PSA 10 Charizard essentially represents the pinnacle achievement for Pokémon collectors. Even non-collectors understand its cultural significance and the immense cachet around owning this 19 year old cardboard trading card in pristine grade.

Should You Get Your Charizard Graded?

Raw ungraded copies of the 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard tend to sell in the range of $2,000 to $5,000.

Based on the numbers, if you are lucky enough to own a Charizard that stands a chance of securing the coveted PSA 10 grade, it is almost certainly worth submitting to PSA for grading and encapsulation. The potential upside is astronomical if it hits that perfect 10.

However, the likelihood of achieving 10 is slim for a number of reasons:

• Older cards: Due to their age, they are susceptible to edge wear, scratches, dents etc unless stored perfectly.

• Print defects: Many Base Set cards suffered from print lines, centering issues and cutting inconsistencies even when brand new.

• Handling: Cards slipped into pockets or binders loose can pick up imperfections over time. Needs to be packed properly.

My advice is study the PSA grading standards thoroughly, then inspect your 1st Edition Charizard under a magnifying glass checking for any tiny flaws. If you believe it stands a reasonable chance at a 10, the potential reward likely justifies grading costs. But be prepared there is more likelihood it scores an 8 or a 9.

For damaged or played copies, it‘s probably not worth the time and expense of grading. But PSA encapsulation can still be beneficial for say a PSA 5 or 6 example, adding a degree of protection and authenticity assurance.

Ultimately when dealing with older vintage cards like 1st Edition Charizard, the difference between a PSA 9 and a 10 comes down to very minor details imperceptible to the naked eye. That‘s what makes the 18 PSA 10s out there so astonishingly rare and valuable.

The PSA 10 Charizard‘s Investment Outlook

The 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard has solidified itself as the most coveted of all Pokémon cards. It holds a place in history as the card that sparked a worldwide phenomenon back in 1999.

Demand continues to rise as more investors and collectors enter the market. And with PSA 10s already so scarce, prices are likely to keep trending upwards over the next decade.

Short term, some potential economic headwinds like rising inflation and interest rates could cool the market a little. There may be some volatility. But long term, as the cards become older and rarer, the trajectory still points higher.

I don‘t envision supply increasing meaningfully as PSA remains stringent on 10 grades. And even if more 10s were added to the population report, it is doubtful the market could absorb them without prices adjusting downwards somewhat.

Ultimately, the PSA 10 Charizard‘s nostalgia and cultural significance ensures its prominence as the Holy Grail for Pokémon collectors around the world. Rarity plays an increasingly important role over time. I expect interest and prices for these prized cards to keep rising for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Thanks for joining me on this deep dive into the population and value of PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizards. The key takeaways:

• There are only 18 PSA 10 examples in the world, making them astonishingly scarce.

• Recent sales of PSA 10s have realized astronomical prices over $300k, showcasing how coveted they are.

• Their nostalgia, rarity and cultural cachet among collectors looks set to drive prices higher over the long run.

The PSA 10 Charizard reigns supreme as the undisputed Holy Grail of Pokémon cards. While most can only dream of owning one, their iconic status and sky-high value looks locked in for years to come.