18 Rarest & Most Valuable Charizard Pokémon Cards

PDF download Download Article
Learn what makes Charizard cards valuable & where to find them
PDF download Download Article

If you’re a Pokémon fan, you probably know how popular Charizard is. While there are tons of Charizard Pokémon cards in existence, some are more rare and valuable than others, going for thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you’re curious about the current value of rare Charizard cards, we’ve got you covered (just be aware that these are estimates and subject to change over time). Keep reading to learn all about 18 of the rarest Charizard cards!

Most Expensive Charizard Cards

  1. Charizard Base Set First Edition: $182,000-$420,000
  2. Charizard Base Set “Disco” Test Print: $40,000-$114,000
  3. Charizard Legendary Collection: $15,000
  4. Charizard (006) Expansion Pack: $1,000-$10,000
  5. Shining Charizard (Neo Destiny): $10,000-$12,000
Section 1 of 3:

Rarest Charizard Pokémon Cards

PDF download Download Article
  1. The first edition Base Set Charizard is the most valuable Pokémon card printed in English, released in 1999 as the first ever Charizard card. It is the most well-known Pokémon card in the TCG, and while asking prices vary depending on the card’s condition, it is one of the most highly sought-after cards for collectors. Currently, the most expensive card sold to YouTuber and professional wrestler Logan Paul for $420,000. [1]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $1,600-$4,000
    • PSA 10 Value: $182,000-$420,000
    • A PSA 10 card means the card has been graded by the Professional Sports Authenticator as a “Gem Mint 10,” meaning it is in perfect or near-perfect condition.
  2. Originally, many fans thought the Charizard Disco test print was a counterfeit version of the Base Set Charizard. However, in 2022, the grading company CGC verified that the card is authentic. It is believed to have been printed during a test run for the Unlimited print of the Base Set and was never meant for circulation. The card is referred to as the “Disco” test print because of its unusual foil pattern. [2]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $40,000-$114,000
    • PSA 10 Value: No PSA 10 cards have been reported.
    Advertisement
  3. Charizard Legendary Collection is the first Reverse Holofoil Charizard card. The Legendary Collection was a reprint set containing cards from the Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket. [3] The Reverse Holofoil cards get their name because they feature holofoil on every part of the card except the art frame. These cards also feature a special texture that resembles a fireworks display. The Reverse Holofoil Charizard is one of the few cards that is more valuable than the standard Holofoil version.
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $670
    • PSA 10 Value: $15,000
  4. Released in 1996, the Expansion Pack is the Japanese equivalent of the Base Set and features the first-ever Charizard card for Pokémon TCG. This version is much easier to obtain than the English version, however, so it typically isn’t worth as much. [4]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $1,000-$10,000
    • PSA 10 Value: No PSA 10 cards have been reported.
  5. Released in 2002, the first edition of this Neo Destiny card features a dark silhouette of Charizard, likely intended to be a Shiny version. Because the card is a first edition and the first depiction of a Shiny Charizard, it is highly valuable and sought after by fans and collectors alike. [5]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $1,100-$1,500
    • PSA 10 Value: $10,000-$12,000
  6. This card is the Japanese version of Charizard Neo Destiny. Released in Japan in 2001, this card is slightly different from the English version because it lacks a first-edition stamp. [6] However, Japanese cards never feature this stamp, so this doesn’t take away from the card’s value. The Japanese Shining Charizard is rarer than the English one, so it is typically higher in value.
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $570
    • PSA 10 Value: Difficult to track due to the card’s rarity; one PSA 10 card sold for over $6,700
  7. Charizard Star is the first time Charizard is featured as a Dark-type. Released as part of the EX Dragon Frontiers expansion pack in 2006, Charizard Star plays on the color scheme of Charizard’s Shiny variant and makes it a Dark-type card rather than the traditional Fire-type. It is a very strong card, but most players refrain from using it due to its high value. [7]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $700-$1,400
    • PSA 10 Value: $18,100
  8. Released in 2003, Skyridge features a Secret Rare Colorless-type Charizard that, like other cards in the set, has a special Crystal Type ability, making it highly desirable for fans and collectors. It was one of the first cards illustrated by prolific Pokémon artist Kouki Saitou and the last Charizard printed by Wizards of the Coast. It also had a single print run, limiting its availability and raising its value. [8]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $1,200-$1,400
    • PSA 10 Value: $11,000-$16,000
  9. Charizard Mysterious Mountains is the Japanese version of Charizard Skyridge. Released in Japan in 2002, this card is valued for the same reasons as its English counterpart; it features a Secret Rare Colorless-type Charizard. [9] The Mysterious Mountains version is a bit rarer, however, and generally sells for a higher price.
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $2,225
    • PSA 10 Value: $14,000
  10. Blaine’s Charizard was released as part of the Gym Challenge expansion pack for Pokémon TCG. The Gym Challenge expansion pack was themed after Pokémon’s Gen 1 Kanto bosses from the original Game Boy games. [10] Blaine’s Charizard is particularly valuable because many copies of the card feature misprints, such as having a Fighting Energy symbol rather than a Fire Energy symbol.
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $480-$940
    • PSA 10 Value: $4,000
  11. The Charizard EX Full Art card depicts Charizard battling Venusaur as a full-length background. It was released in 2014 as a promo for the XY expansion pack, exclusively available to players participating in a Gym Leader Challenge event at the Pokémon Center in Japan. The card is highly valued and sought after because of its limited availability. [11]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $850-$1,000
    • PSA 10 Value: $1,700
  12. Charizard ex is an Ultra Rare holographic card. Released in English in 2004, Charizard ex was the first multi-Prize Charizard ever printed, featuring a very expensive Burn Down attack that could Knock Out practically every Pokémon in the game. The card was highly sought after by fans because it served as a functional reprint of the original Base Set. [12]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $300-$700
    • PSA 10 Value: $5,100
  13. The Plasma Storm expansion, the eighth set of the Black & White arc, was the first time fans got to see the all-black shiny versions of the Flame Pokémon. The Charizard card was number 136 of 135 cards in the set, making it a Secret Rare card. It is also one of the first cards to feature a 3D model of Charizard, which sets it apart from other rare cards. [13]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $650
    • PSA 10: $5,000-$9,000
  14. Charizard Expedition is a rare holofoil card. Released as part of the e-Card Series in 2002, Expedition marked the end of Wizards of the Coast publishing the Pokémon TCG and is most remembered for the dot codes on each card that were compatible with the Nintendo e-Reader. [14] Charizard Expedition 006 was the first Charizard card of the e-Card Series, featuring a holographic background as Charizard flies through a night sky.
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $150-$620
    • PSA 10 Value: $8,000
  15. Released in 2016, this card was a reprint of the original Charizard from the base set with boosted stats. It was given exclusively to staff members who worked events celebrating the pre-release of the Evolutions expansion. The card has a “STAFF” stamp in the lower left of the art box. Its rarity and value come from the fact it was never released to the public. [15]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $1,500
    • PSA 10 Value: $7,000-$10,000
  16. Like the Charizard XY Evolutions staff prerelease, this card was given exclusively to staff members in honor of the release of Sword & Shield and was never intended to be released to the public. Because of this, it has become rare and valuable. [16]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $500-$600
    • PSA 10 Value: N/A
  17. Originally released in the Sun & Moon expansion Burning Shadows, this card later got a Secret Rare reprint for Hidden Fates. The card features Charizard’s black Shiny form rather than the traditional orange color. [17] It is one of the most valuable cards from the Sun & Moon era due to the character’s pose, the card’s color palette, and its scarcity.
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $460
    • PSA 10 Value: $800
  18. This card was originally released as a part of the EX Dragon expansion pack in late 2003, then re-released as part of the National Championship and given out to participants in 2004. These cards feature a special National Championship stamp, but even those without the stamp are highly valuable. [18]
    • Approximate Ungraded Value: $449-$800
    • PSA 10 Value: $1,800
    19. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Where to Buy Rare Charizard Cards

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’re not sure where to find rare Charizard cards, eBay is generally a good place to start. Or, look for cards on auction sites like Fanatics Collect , as well as specialty card shops like Da Card World and TCG Player .
    • It may also be possible to find rare Charizard cards in person. Visit auction houses, check pawn shops, and see if there are any card show events or conventions near you.
    • If Pokémon cards have been professionally graded, they’ll come with a certificate of authenticity. However, this doesn’t mean cards without a certificate are counterfeit; they just haven’t been graded.
Section 3 of 3:

How are rare Pokémon cards valued?

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Rarity One of the most important factors in determining a Pokémon card’s value is its rarity. Cards with limited availability are generally priced higher than common cards because of supply and demand; because there are so few of them, the demand goes up. [19]
    • Rare cards include first editions, holographics, and limited print runs.
  2. 2
    Condition The card’s condition also plays a large role in its value. The closer to mint condition a card is, the more it’s worth. Many Pokémon card collectors are extremely sensitive to minor imperfections, so the more wear and tear a card has, the less it will be worth. [20]
  3. 3
    Grading When a card is graded, it means a third-party service professionally evaluated its condition. Graded cards are assigned a number 1-10, with 10 being the best condition. These cards are then sealed for protection and given a certificate of authenticity. This helps reassure buyers that they’re getting what they paid for, so graded cards are typically more valuable than ungraded cards, even if they’re in the same condition. [21]
    • Some collectors also prefer certain grading companies. For example, cards that are PSA-graded usually go for a higher price because the company is well-recognized.
  4. 4
    Popularity When graded, cards featuring popular Pokémon are often given a higher value because more people will want them. The same goes for cards from popular, sought-after sets, even if the cards aren’t technically as rare as others. [22]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Charizard 151 (aka Charizard ex Special Rare from the Pokémon 151 set) is also rare, with a chance of pulling one being about 1 in 225.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Charizard V is another Ultra Rare card, especially the alternate full art version. It’s not currently as valuable as the cards listed in this article but can go for a couple hundred dollars.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Apply Weakness and Resistance in the Pokémon Card Game
      How to
      Play With Pokémon Cards
      How to
      Make Your Own Custom Pokémon Card
      How to
      Tell if Pokémon Cards are Shadowless & How to Value Them
      The Most Powerful Pokémon Cards of All Time
      How to
      Value Your Pokémon Cards
      How to
      Know If Pokémon Cards Are Fake
      How to
      Have Your Pokémon Cards Professionally Graded
      Base Set Pokémon Card Values (First Edition, Shadowless, & Unlimited)
      The Best Places to Sell Pokémon Cards Online or In-Person
      How to
      Create a Powerful Pokémon TCG Deck
      How to
      Collect Pokémon Cards
      How to
      Evolve Pokémon in Pokémon TCG
      How to
      Retreat in the Pokémon Card Game
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/26/us/pokemon-charizard-auction-trnd/index.html
      2. ↑ https://www.cgccards.com/news/article/10283/test-print-charizard/
      3. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Legendary_Collection_(TCG)
      4. ↑ https://www.pojo.com/Features/0500/52200FirstChar.html
      5. ↑ https://www.oldsportscards.com/charizard-pokemon-card/
      6. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Neo_Destiny_(TCG)
      7. ↑ https://www.oldsportscards.com/charizard-pokemon-card/
      8. ↑ https://www.oldsportscards.com/charizard-pokemon-card/
      9. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charizard_(Skyridge_146)
      1. ↑ https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-most-valuable-charizard-cards
      2. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charizard-EX_(Flashfire_11)
      3. ↑ https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-most-valuable-charizard-cards
      4. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charizard_(Boundaries_Crossed_20)
      5. ↑ https://jklaczpokemon.com/e-card/
      6. ↑ https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-most-valuable-charizard-cards
      7. ↑ https://www.josephwriteranderson.com/blog/the-most-valuable-charizard-cards
      8. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Hidden_Fates_(TCG)
      9. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charizard_(EX_Dragon_100)
      10. ↑ https://blockapps.net/blog/grading-pokemon-cards-understanding-the-process-and-impact-on-value/
      11. ↑ https://blockapps.net/blog/grading-pokemon-cards-understanding-the-process-and-impact-on-value/
      12. ↑ https://collectable.com/collectableu/sports-card-grading-101/
      13. ↑ https://blockapps.net/blog/grading-pokemon-cards-understanding-the-process-and-impact-on-value/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 161 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement