Talk about a blast from the past. Charizard Pokémon cards are the MVPs of trading cards and an essential item to collectors. It’s the famous and nostalgic symbol of power, success, and destruction during a Pokémon journey.
In 2020, a rare 1999 Base Set 1stedition PSA 10 Charizard Pokémon shadowless card sold for a mouthwatering $350,000 at the PWCC Auctions. This price places the card as the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold at that time.
If you’re about to start your collecting journey or you’ve already collected and stuck on the way forward, this article is your guiding light. Here, we’ll help you identify the rarest and most valuable Charizard Pokémon cards, their true worth, and how to collect/sell them.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Charizard Cards
Charizard is the Japanese word for Lizardon. It’s a creation of Pokémon in Nintendo and Game Freak’s Pokémon production and was created by Atsuko Nishida, a Japanese illustrator. Charizard debuted in the Pokémon Red and Blue video games and their sequels.
They also appeared in other productions, spinoff editions, animated and printed versions of these movie productions. It’s also called the Flame Pokémon.
An orange Dragon-like Pokémon, Charizard is the mutated version of a chameleon and the final form of Charmander. Nintendo gave various Pokémon characterscatchy and unique names related closely to their appearance.
Nintendo made this move to appeal to a larger western audience to make it very easy for Americans to understand the game’s concept, hence CHARIZARD. A combination of Charcoal, char, and lizard.
Charizard has two teal wings with a predominantly orange back and body. Its webbed feet are covered by a cream-coloured pad similar to its large stomach, while its darting eyes are light blue.
The 15 Rarest and Most Expensive Charizard Pokémon Cards Around
The prices on this table are sourced from Verified stores, antique websites, and curated collector’s lists. However, the costs may vary due to different sources, market forces, and overall vendor preference/digression.
No. |
Name |
Release Date |
Price |
1 |
1995 Topsun Charizard Blue Black (No Number Error) |
1995 |
$493,230 |
2 |
First Edition Charizard 1999 #4 |
1999 |
$399,750 |
3 |
Charizard First Edition Holographic Base Set #4 |
1999 |
$369, 000 |
4 |
Japanese Base Set Holographic Charizard (No Rarity Symbol) #6 |
1996 |
$57,887 |
5 |
Pokémon Portuguese First Edition Charizard #4 |
1999 |
$44,850 |
6 |
Pokémon Korean First Edition Charizard #4 |
2000 |
$40,000 |
7 |
Pokémon Japanese Topsun Holofoil Charizard #6 |
1995 |
$37,600 |
8 |
Pokémon French First Edition Charizard #4 |
1999 |
$37,300 |
9 |
Pokémon German First Edition Glurak Charizard #4 |
1999 |
$37,000 |
10 |
Pokémon Spanish First Edition Charizard #4 |
1999 |
$35,100 |
11 |
EX Dragon Frontiers Charizard Gold Star #100 |
2006 |
$30,300 |
12 |
Pokémon Japanese Bandai Carddass Vending Prism Red Charizard #6 |
1996 |
$30,100 |
13 |
Pokémon Skyridge Charizard #146 |
2003 |
$28,100 |
14 |
Pokémon Neo Destiny 1stEdition Shining Charizard #107 |
2002 |
$20,250 |
15 |
2002 Pokémon Legendary Collection Reverse Holo Charizard #3 |
2002 |
$15,200 |
1. 1995 Topsun Charizard Blue Black (No Number Error)
Price: $493,230
Release Date: 1995
Top-Seika didn’t start distributing these cards until 1997, even though the copyright date on the card indicates 1995. One notable feature about this card is that they weren’t part of the official Pokémon Trading Card Game; they tilt towards collectables. But it doesn’t negate the fact that it’s still Pokémon.
At the Goldin auction in January 2021, this card but without a number (a production error), sold for a jaw-dropping $493,230. So much value for a victim of a production error. Pokeman made only thirty-one copies of this card, according to the company’s records.
2. First Edition Charizard 1999 #4
Price: $399,750
Release Date: 1999
Due to its appearance on the cover art of the Pokémon Red Video Game made for the Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy color in the 90s, this card gained massive popularity and became one of the most highly sought Charizard cards.
The recently growing interest in Pokémon cards has luck smiling down on the first edition Charizard cards as a set sold for $399,750 in March 2021.
3. Charizard First Edition Holographic Base Set #4
Price: $360,000
Release Date:1999
A PSA-Gem.Mint 10 and the 90s kid delight, Charizard cards are the apple of every card collector’s eye, especially the shadowless ones- an early model with zero shadows around its art border.
In 2009, L. A rapper Logic bagged a piece of this card for over $226,000, a record soon topped by a bidder at PWCC auction on December 31st, 2020, who bought for $350,000.
A new record was reportedly set less than five hours later as a bidder at the Goldin auctionpurchased a copy for a record-breaking $369,000. Today, this record still stands, making it the most expensive shadowless Charizard Pokémon card ever sold.
4. Japanese Base Set Holographic Charizard (No Rarity Symbol) #6
Price: $57,877
Release Date: 1996
This card marks one of the earliest appearances of the interesting Pokémon character. The 1996 Charizard card is a very historical piece. Usually, most cards of Japanese origin contain a symbol of rarity by the lower right corner that varies based on the type of card you have.
The holographic cards in this set usually have a star symbol that signifies rarity; if you lay your hands on any card without the star sign, then you’ve hit the jackpot—this piece sold for $57,877 at an auction in November 2020.
5. Pokémon Portuguese First Edition Charizard #4
Price: $44,850
Release Date: 1999
Just two out of the first edition Portuguese Charizard cards passed the PSA 10 test out of 34 brought forward to the PSA. The rare card sold for an impressive $44,850 in April 2021.
6.Pokémon Korean First Edition Charizard #4
Price: $ 40,000
Release Date: 2000
The Korean version of Pokémon cards entered the scene in 2000, although it has been circulating in different locations and languages around the continent since 1999.
They had an impressive run in the market and sold for $40,000 in April 2021. These cards are still the most collectable of the Korean first edition variants.
7. Pokémon Japanese Topsun Holofoil Charizard #6
Price: $37,600
Release Date: 1995
A highly desirable piece, made in 1995 but distributed by Top-Seika in 1997 after the launch of the Pokémon Trading Game in 1996. There’s a striking resemblance between this card and the 1996 Pokémon Red Videogame released in japan. This iconic piece sold for $37,600 in October 2020.
8. Pokémon French First Edition Charizard #4
Price: $37,300
Release Date:1999
In this situation, the proper French word to describe Charizard is “Dracaufeu” Pokémon started making cards in different languages to promote popularity and ensure diversification.
Only 28 of this variant have achieved the PSA 10 status, almost 7% of the French first edition cards. They are pretty easier to come by than their English counterpart. This card sold for $37,300 in February 2021.
9. Pokémon German First Edition Glurak Charizard #4
Price: $37,000
Release Date:1999
Still hot on the heels of expansion, the German variant of Pokémon cards called the “Glurak” sold for $37,000 in January 2021. This version is not shadowless like the English first edition.
Out of the 900 German Gluraks, only 50 have received the coveted PSA 10 certification. A 5.5 percentage is higher than the 3.7 of English first edition Charizard cards makes it pretty easy to find.
10. Pokémon Spanish First Edition Charizard #4
Price: $35,100
Release Date: 1999
This edition offered Spanish natives an opportunity to participate in the Pokémon trading card game actively. There’s a Spanish translation on the body of the card, but the name Charizard remains. A sharp contrast between this and its French/German counterpart.
Check the lower-left corner of the card and find the Edicion 1 symbol. Only seven cards from this set have been certified PSA 10, placing among the rarest first edition Charizard cards in multi-language version.
11. EX Dragon Frontiers Charizard Gold Star #100
Price: $ 30,300
Release Date: 2006
There are 101 cards in the set, and only two rare Gold star cards are in the collection: The Charizard #100 and Mew #101. Chances of pulling one of these two cards in a pack of 144 cards are one to zero; that’s how rare it’s.
It commemorates the fifteenth central expansion of the EX Series and features a stunning image illustrated by the talented Masakazu Fukuda. The fiery dragon breathes fire onto the edge of this $30,300 card—a truly fearful piece.
12. Pokémon Japanese Bandai Carddass Vending Prism Red Charizard #6
Price: $30,100
Release Date: 1996
Bandai, a Japanese native and toymaker, launched a series of Pokémon trading cards in September 1996, and he used a network of vending machines to distribute these cards.
Many Bandai carddass cards are available, but the most collectable is the prism Charizard, followed closely by the Blastoise. The iconic Charizard character breathes fire to create an eyecatching, memorable piece.
13. Pokémon Skyridge Charizard #146
Price: $28,100
Release Date: 2003
The last to ever be produced by the Wizards of the Coast was illustrated by Kouki Saitou, a top Japanese animator. There are 150 cards in this set, and six of them with the Charizard version has a crystal-type feature that makes it very powerful to handle any energy.
The Skyridge is the third and final expansion of the digital cards (e-card) series that has playable e-reader apps on the cards. It sold in November 2020 for $28,100.
14. Pokémon Neo Destiny 1stEdition Shining Charizard #107
Price: $20,250
Release Date: 2002
This card is the fourth expansion of the Neo series. The Neo Destiny is famous for featuring both light and dark versions of Pokémon. The light Pokémon are caring and fair-spirited- the incredible energy. In contrast, the dark Pokémon are the parallel opposite.
The dark Pokémon has made a few appearances in some series, but you’ll find the light Pokémon in the Neo Destiny set. Charizard appears as a unique shining character who gets its name from the flashy foil detail that shines in the light. The cards also have a special rarity symbol in three stars at the lower right corner.
15. 2002 Pokémon Legendary Collection Reverse Holo Charizard #3
Price: $15,200
Release Date: 2002
The legendary Charizard card is essential for any collector with a background that looks like a combination of fire and ice. Even though it is not the most expensive, this card is rarest as no other version has been reproducing since this one—the 2002 beauty sold for $15,200 at an auction in July 2021.
How to Identify Rare Charizard Pokémon Cards
Do You have a Charizard card and don’t know how to ascertain if it’s a rare piece or not? We’ve made the process seamless with a detailed guide below.
By Their Age
Earlier Charizard cards (1995-2003)are the rarest and most valuable variants, all thanks to their age and difference in the production year. Most of these old Charizard cards are nearly extinct, highly sought and of quality.
By Their Condition
The card’s condition is also a significant determinant when identifying a rare piece; grading companies assess these cards on a scale of 10 and use the result to determine whether it’s a rare find or not. The newer the card, the rarer and the more expensive it is.
By Their Population Report
The population report is the third way you can determine the rarity of your Charizard card. By sampling reports of the most grade that a card has achieved, the rarer it’s. Check the link for detailed information on the grading process.
How to Know the Value of Charizard Pokémon Cards?
Whether you intend to purchase, collect for keeps or sell off. Here are the factors you must consider in order to get the optimum value for your piece.
By Their Rarity Symbol
Rarity is the most significant factor when it comes to determining Charizard cards. These symbols are usually in the form of circles stars (star H or three stars)- One star means the card is rare, while the star H and three stars mean they are unique and extra rare.
By Their Condition
A whitened, scratched, chipped, or a rumpled card will be worthless compared to cards in mint or almost mint condition. Endeavour always keeps your cards safe from liquids or anything that can cause severe damage to get the actual value for your money.
By The Collector Number
Check the bottom right side of the card for this number. Secret rare cards have a collector figure higher than the number of cards printed in a set. For example, “120/105” or “65/64”.
Look out for collector numbersthat begin with SH, an acronym for Shining Pokémon, which usually has a different illustration from other versions. In some cases, cards don’t have collector numbers due to early printing. Early Japanese cards fall under this category, but they’re worth money regardless.
By Their Category
Look for the ‘Wizards of the Coast’ inscription at the bottom of your card; these are usually from the early 1999 or 2000 Pokémon cards, then proceed to look for a first edition embossing at the left lower corner of the illustration on the card.
Finally, if the card has no shadow around or below it, it is one of the revered shadowless collections, and they’re highly sought after by collectors.
Collectors, Online Websites, Pokémon Card players
You can check for card prices from a sea of websites available. However, card prices are prone to change due to market demands, speculations, and other factors. You should constantly refresh your catalogue to stay updated with prices.
Pokémon players usually have an online forum to discuss everything from prices to models available and the next auction. You can search for these platforms and picture your Charizard cards to understand the market price. Talk about hearing from the horse’s mouth.
FAQs
Why are Charizard cards so rare?
Charizard cards are scarce due to increased demand from game lovers back in the day. These days the cards are worth quite a lot of money; everyone wants a piece for themselves or to collect for nostalgia’s sake or keep to sell twice the price later depending on the market.
How many different Charizard cards are there?
Charizard has featured on 44 different cards since its emergence in the Pokémon trading card game set. They are usually fire-type stage 2 Pokémon.
Why are Charizard cards so expensive?
Charizard cards has sentimental value to their collector. Early childhood memories are preserved through these cards coupled with the fire-breathing dragon logo, an emblem of strength, prestige, and power. The point above and many more factors is why Charizard cards are pricey.
Which Charizard cards are worth money?
First edition Charizard cards, especially the shadowless variants, are worth a few bucks compared to the rest.
Parting Words
Now that you have the facts you need on the highly reputable but rare Charizard Pokémon cards, we’ve gathered some notable points for you to keep in mind on your journey.
- Keep your cards in a case or waterproof away from human contact to keep them in a mint condition.
- Shadowless Charizard cards are the holy grail of Pokémon cards.
- Earlier models of Charizard cards are highly collectable.
- Your cards are at the mercy of market forces; if you have a recent piece in your hand, quickly sell off as they may depreciate as time goes by.
