Charizard Across Sets: Base, Evolutions, 151 and Stellar Crown Compared
How Charizard performs across Pokemon TCG's most collected sets. Value, grading ROI, and long-term trend data for EU collectors.
The Charizard Factor
Charizard is the single most-collected card in Pokemon TCG history. Every set that features one sees inflated prices relative to comparable cards of the same rarity. But which Charizard is the best investment? This guide compares four of the most-collected Charizards on the EU market.
Base Set Charizard (1999, Holo Rare)
- PSA 10 Base Set (Unlimited): €3000–5000 depending on centering variant
- PSA 10 Base Set Shadowless: €15,000–25,000+
- PSA 10 1st Edition Base Set: €80,000–150,000
- Liquidity: Excellent — consistently traded on Cardmarket, eBay, and auction houses
- Long-term trend: Steady appreciation, modest 2022–2023 peak, held most gains through 2024–2026 correction
Base Set Charizard is the blue-chip position of Pokemon TCG. Low floor risk, consistent global demand, and the cultural anchor point for the entire hobby.
Evolutions Charizard (2016, Holo Rare)
- PSA 10: €500–800
- PSA 9: €120–180
- Raw NM: €40–70
- Liquidity: Strong — Evolutions is a popular reprint set
- Long-term trend: Slow appreciation, lower speculation volatility than modern sets
The Evolutions Charizard is a callback to Base Set with updated game mechanics. Not a vintage card, but treated like a low-end vintage piece by many collectors. Solid grading ROI if you source NM copies under €50 raw.
151 Charizard ex SIR (2023)
- PSA 10: €900–1200 (down from €1600 peak in mid-2024)
- Raw NM: €280–380
- Liquidity: Very high — one of the most-traded modern cards
- Long-term trend: Sharp 2024 peak, meaningful 2025–2026 correction as print run grew
151 is the most commercially successful set of the modern era and its Charizard ex SIR is the definitive card of that success. The corrections don't change the fact that it's a long-term staple — what changes is the entry price.
Stellar Crown Charizard ex (2024)
- PSA 10 ex SIR: €400–600
- Raw NM ex SIR: €120–180
- Liquidity: Medium — newer and less established than 151
- Long-term trend: Too early to call; prices softened with the broader 2025–2026 correction
Stellar Crown's Charizard is a quality card but lives in 151's shadow. For buyers, this is an opportunity — it's frequently underpriced relative to comparable Charizard alternatives from the same era.
Which Is the Best Buy Today?
| Profile | Best match |
|---|---|
| Patient long-term investor | Base Set Unlimited in PSA 9 — cheaper entry, very little downside |
| Modern collector on budget | Evolutions NM raw — €50 gets you in, modest grading upside |
| Trend-follower | 151 ex SIR raw at current levels — most liquid modern Charizard |
| Value-hunter | Stellar Crown ex SIR raw — underpriced vs 151 counterparts |
Grading ROI Summary
Run the math before submitting any Charizard. General guidance based on current CGC/PSA market data:
- Base Set: Grade everything above Good condition — vintage premium is massive
- Evolutions: Grade NM+ copies if raw acquisition under €45 — moderate ROI
- 151 ex SIR: Grade Mint-only; NM doesn't carry the premium to cover grading cost at current levels
- Stellar Crown ex SIR: Grade only if acquired under €150 raw in Mint condition
Add these cards to your CardSense portfolio to get card-level GRADE/SELL/HOLD recommendations based on your actual buy price.