Base Set chase cards

The top 10 Base Set chase cards

1. 

   #1 Charizard – Rare Holo

   4/102 · Base Set

   Charizard rears up mid-roar against a sparkling holofoil backdrop, wings spread wide and a small flame curling from its tail, art by Mitsuhiro Arita. As the Rare Holo centerpiece of Base Set, it is the card most collectors picture when they think of the original Pokémon craze. The Fire Spin attack and that open-mouthed pose keep it at the top of nearly every vintage want list.

   Ungraded

   $731

   PSA 10

   $40,800

   Gem rate

   0.46%

   The most valuable chase card in Base Set ungraded; a PSA 10 copy sells for 56× that ($40,800), and 0.46% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is up 11% over four weeks.

2. 

   #2 Blastoise – Rare Holo

   2/102 · Base Set

   Blastoise stands upright with fists clenched and a smug sideways glance, its shell cannon jutting over one shoulder against a starry holo backdrop of blue and mossy green. Art by Ken Sugimori gives it that clean, early character-sheet look. As one of the Base Set holo starters, and with Rain Dance powering classic water decks, it remains a centerpiece for anyone chasing the original holos.

   Ungraded

   $200

   PSA 10

   $8,400

   Gem rate

   0.72%

   Number 2 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 42× that ($8,400), and 0.72% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is up 23% over four weeks.

3. 

   #3 Venusaur – Rare Holo

   15/102 · Base Set

   Venusaur sits squat and front-facing against the starry holo foil, its broad orange flower and green fronds fanning over a pale blue body, with a calm, heavy-lidded stare. Art by Mitsuhiro Arita, it is one of the original Base Set holos that collectors chase alongside its fellow starter evolutions, and its Energy Trans power made it a real piece of early play too.

   Ungraded

   $153

   PSA 10

   $4,440

   Gem rate

   1.2%

   Number 3 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 29× that ($4,440), and 1.2% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10.

4. 

   #4 Alakazam – Rare Holo

   1/102 · Base Set

   Alakazam stands square to the viewer against a dark, starry holofoil backdrop, spoons gripped in both hands and narrowed eyes staring straight out, with faint psychic rings radiating behind it. Art by Ken Sugimori gives it that clean, early style collectors love. As a Rare Holo from Base Set, and the first card in the set's numbering, it anchors many original holo collections.

   Ungraded

   $75.80

   PSA 10

   $3,320

   Gem rate

   2.2%

   Number 4 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 44× that ($3,320), and 2.2% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is up 12% over four weeks.

5. 

   #5 Raichu – Rare Holo

   14/102 · Base Set

   Raichu stands cheerfully against a sparkling holofoil starfield, arms raised, cheeks round and its long black tail curling behind into a bright lightning-bolt tip. The clean, simple art by Ken Sugimori has the flat, friendly look of the earliest Pokémon designs. As a Rare Holo from Base Set, it belongs to the original run of holos that so many collections are built around, and Pikachu's evolution keeps steady demand.

   Ungraded

   $66.90

   PSA 10

   $2,055

   Gem rate

   1.5%

   Number 5 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 31× that ($2,055), and 1.5% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is up 11% over four weeks.

6. 

   #6 Mewtwo – Rare Holo

   10/102 · Base Set

   Mewtwo stands alone against a dark, star-flecked holofoil background, art by Ken Sugimori in his clean, official-artwork style, its pale body outlined in red with one hand raised and the tail curling behind. This Rare Holo from Base Set is a cornerstone of the original holo lineup, and Mewtwo's fierce following keeps it near the top of every vintage collector's list.

   Ungraded

   $65.30

   PSA 10

   $4,560

   Gem rate

   1.9%

   Number 6 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 70× that ($4,560), and 1.9% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is up 31% over four weeks.

7. 

   #7 Zapdos – Rare Holo

   16/102 · Base Set

   Zapdos faces you head on, wings flared into jagged yellow spikes, talons spread and beak pointed down, set against a dark starry holo foil with light rays bursting outward behind it. Art by Ken Sugimori, it reads like a clean official portrait of the electric bird. As a Rare Holo from Base Set, it belongs to the original holo run that so many collectors chase to complete.

   Ungraded

   $49.90

   PSA 10

   $2,225

   Gem rate

   3.5%

   Number 7 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 45× that ($2,225), and 3.5% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is up 19% over four weeks.

8. 

   #8 Chansey – Rare Holo

   3/102 · Base Set

   Chansey stands front and center against a starry blue holo field, hands clasped politely above the egg tucked in its pouch, drawn in the clean, simple style of art by Ken Sugimori. As one of the original Base Set holos, it sits in the run of cards that started the hobby for many collectors, and its gentle, friendly look makes it a favorite for anyone rebuilding that first holo page.

   Ungraded

   $48.30

   PSA 10

   $9,600

   Gem rate

   0.89%

   Number 8 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 199× that ($9,600), and 0.89% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is down 28% over four weeks.

9. 

   #9 Clefairy – Rare Holo

   5/102 · Base Set

   Clefairy stands against the classic starry holofoil of Base Set, a round pink figure with curled forelock and tiny smile, drawn in the clean, simple style of art by Ken Sugimori. The sparkling backdrop makes the soft pastel body pop. As one of the original holo rares, it remains a key piece for anyone completing the first set, and fans of this cheerful fairy chase it eagerly.

   Ungraded

   $46.40

   PSA 10

   $2,535

   Gem rate

   1.2%

   Number 9 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 55× that ($2,535), and 1.2% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10. Its ungraded price is up 17% over four weeks.

10. 

    #10 Gyarados – Rare Holo

    6/102 · Base Set

    Gyarados coils its pale blue and yellow body against a dark, swirling holo background, jaws wide open and whisker barbels trailing as it roars toward the left edge. Art by Mitsuhiro Arita gives it a glossy, almost sculpted look that the foil makes shimmer. As one of the original Base Set holo rares, it sits near the heart of any first-generation collection and draws steady attention from fans of the sea serpent.

    Ungraded

    $45.00

    PSA 10

    $3,630

    Gem rate

    2.1%

    Number 10 in Base Set by ungraded value; a PSA 10 copy sells for 81× that ($3,630), and 2.1% of PSA-graded copies have come back a 10.