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Base Set (1999)Holo Rare#16/1021999Lightning

Zapdos (Base Set)

How much is Zapdos worth? — live price & value guide

The Base Set Zapdos holo, a classic legendary bird from the set that started English Pokémon TCG collecting.

Part of the Base Set set.

Buying options

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Price history

The lowest listing we've tracked for Zapdos over time.

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Recent sold comps

What buyers actually paid on eBay — anchors deal scores alongside live listings.

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Pokédex
Year
1999
Card no.
16/102
National Dex
#145
Type
Lightning
Illustrator
Ken Sugimori
Language
English

Base Set holo; Shadowless and 1st Edition are scarcer than Unlimited.

Why Zapdos holds value

Zapdos is one of the original legendary birds and a Base Set holo, so demand spans nostalgia and set completion. 1st Edition and Shadowless prints sit above Unlimited, and high grades are thinned by holo scratches and centering.

  • +Holo rare #16/102 in English Base Set.
  • +Exists in 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited.
  • +The other early legendary birds (Articuno, Moltres) are Fossil, not Base Set.
Grades to watch
PSA 10PSA 9BGS 9.5PSA 8

PSA 10 vs PSA 9 vs raw for Zapdos

Match edition first, then grade. A PSA 10 Unlimited is not a comps match for 1st Edition.

Graded vs raw guide · PSA 10 vs raw for Canadians · How much is my card worth?

Variants & printings

The same card exists in more than one printing. Match the listing to the right one before you compare prices.

1st Edition

1st Edition stamp left of the art; also shadowless.

Top tier print.

Shadowless

No drop shadow on the art frame; no stamp.

Early print above Unlimited.

Unlimited

Drop shadow on the art frame.

Most common print.

How to spot the real Zapdos

  1. 1Confirm Base Set #16/102 Zapdos.
  2. 2Match 1st Edition, Shadowless, or Unlimited before comparing prices.
  3. 3Inspect the holo for scratches before paying a mint ask.

From the Base Set set

See the full set →
Charizard 1st Edition (Base Set)
Holo Rare · 1st Edition · #4/102
Charizard (Base Set)
Holo Rare · #4/102
Blastoise (Base Set)
Holo Rare · #2/102
Venusaur (Base Set)
Holo Rare · #15/102

Frequently asked

Does edition matter for Zapdos?

Yes. 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited are different markets. Match the print run before you compare sold comps.

What hurts the grade most?

Holo scratches, whitening, and centering. Inspect under light before paying a mint ask on raw copies.

Learn more

Basics
First Edition vs Shadowless vs Unlimited
How to tell the three Base Set print runs apart at a glance, why edition swings value, and where to compare live listings.
Fundamentals
How much is my Pokémon card worth?
Identify set and edition, match grade, use sold comps, then check live listings. Asking prices are not value.
Grading
Population reports 101
What a pop report counts, what it misses, and why a low population at the top grade drives value. Read gem rate the right way.

Related cards

Charizard (Base Set)
Base Set (1999)
Articuno (Fossil)
Fossil (1999)
Moltres (Fossil)
Fossil (1999)

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