1999–2003

Wizards of the Coast era Pokémon cards

19 English sets and 1,790 cards, from Base Set (Jan 9, 1999) to Skyridge (May 12, 2003). The era opens with Base Set and closes with Skyridge. Its most valuable card is Lugia 149/147 from Aquapolis, at $9,400. Unown appears on more of its cards than any other Pokémon (26). It comes before the EX era. See every era in order.

Lugia 149/147, Aquapolis — Lugia$9,400PSA 10 $348,000

Sets: 19; 1999–2003
Cards: 1,790
Most valuable card: $9,400; Lugia
Most valuable set: $50,902; Skyridge
Most-featured Pokémon: Unown; 26 cards

What defined the era

Wizards of the Coast printed the English game from Base Set in January 1999 to Skyridge in May 2003, and almost everything collectors mean by "vintage" sits in these sets. Base Set went through three prints, 1st Edition, Shadowless and Unlimited, and the gap between them is the whole story of Base Set Charizard prices. Jungle, Fossil and Team Rocket kept the holo-rare chase; Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge added the Gym Leaders' Pokémon; the Neo sets brought Shining Pokémon, the first alternate-colour cards; and the e-Card sets, Expedition, Aquapolis and Skyridge, closed the era with Crystal-type secret rares and short print runs, which is why Crystal Lugia and Crystal Charizard lead it today. Condition is everything here: the holofoil and the black borders of Team Rocket and Neo show every scratch, so a clean copy of a common card can be scarcer than the rare next to it.

Wizards of the Coast

Most valuable cards of the era

Top 24, ungraded price

Newest first

Wizards of the Coast sets

19 sets, newest first

Skyridge
May 2003 · 182 cards
Set value $50,902
Charizard $8,899
Chase cards
Aquapolis
January 2003 · 182 cards
Set value $29,155
Lugia $9,400
Chase cards
BesBest of Game
December 2002 · 9 cards
Set value $2,171
Rocket's Mewtwo $1,085
Expedition Base Set
September 2002 · 165 cards
Set value $17,961
Charizard $2,400
Chase cards
Legendary Collection
May 2002 · 110 cards
Set value $2,519
Charizard $640
Chase cards
Neo Destiny
February 2002 · 113 cards
Set value $11,744
Shining Charizard $2,178
Chase cards
Neo Revelation
September 2001 · 66 cards
Set value $3,999
Shining Gyarados $1,000
Chase cards
Southern Islands
July 2001 · 18 cards
Set value $3,698
Mew $1,300
Neo Discovery
June 2001 · 75 cards
Set value $2,285
Umbreon $595
Chase cards
Neo Genesis
December 2000 · 111 cards
Set value $2,236
Lugia $700
Chase cards
Gym Challenge
October 2000 · 132 cards
Set value $3,283
Blaine's Charizard $675
Chase cards
Gym Heroes
August 2000 · 132 cards
Set value $2,086
Sabrina's Gengar $442
Chase cards
Team Rocket
April 2000 · 83 cards
Set value $1,735
Dark Charizard $289
Chase cards
Base Set 2
February 2000 · 130 cards
Set value $1,457
Charizard $401
Chase cards
Fossil
October 1999 · 62 cards
Set value $1,054
Gengar $185
Chase cards
Wizards Black Star Promos
July 1999 · 53 cards
Set value $7,547
Pokémon Center $1,999
Jungle
June 1999 · 64 cards
Set value $939
Snorlax $120
Chase cards
MisMiscellaneous
January 1999 · 1 cards
Set value $175
Ancient Mew $175
BasBase Set
January 1999 · 102 cards
Set value $1,953
Charizard $731
Chase cards

Set value is one copy of every card at today’s ungraded prices, shown for sets with prices for at least 90% of their cards.

Most cards this era

Pokémon of the era

Common questions

How many sets are in the Wizards of the Coast era?

19 English sets and 1,790 cards, from Base Set (Jan 9, 1999) to Skyridge (May 12, 2003).

What is the most valuable Wizards of the Coast era card?

Lugia 149/147 from Aquapolis, at about $9,400 ungraded.

When did the Wizards of the Coast era start and end?

The first English Wizards of the Coast set, Base Set, was released on Jan 9, 1999. The last in the catalogue is Skyridge, released on May 12, 2003. The EX era follows it.

Which Wizards of the Coast era set is worth the most?

Skyridge, at about $50,902 for one of every card at today’s ungraded prices. Only sets with prices for 90% or more of their cards are compared.