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1999Vintage9 cards

Base Set

The one that started it all — the 1999 Base Set holds the hobby's most iconic grails.

Chase cards from Base Set

The cards collectors hunt from this set. Open one for live prices by grade and a price alert.

Charizard 1st Edition (Base Set)Vintage
Charizard 1st Edition (Base Set)
Holo Rare1st Edition1999
Base Set (1999)
Charizard (Base Set)Vintage
Charizard (Base Set)
Holo Rare#4/1021999
Base Set (1999)~$728.31
Blastoise (Base Set)Vintage
Blastoise (Base Set)
Holo Rare#2/1021999
Base Set (1999)~$231.65
Venusaur (Base Set)Vintage
Venusaur (Base Set)
Holo Rare#15/1021999
Base Set (1999)~$154.56
Mewtwo (Base Set)Vintage
Mewtwo (Base Set)
Holo Rare#10/1021999
Base Set (1999)~$75.13
Alakazam (Base Set)Vintage
Alakazam (Base Set)
Holo Rare#1/1021999
Base Set (1999)~$84.72
Gyarados (Base Set)Vintage
Gyarados (Base Set)
Holo Rare#6/1021999
Base Set (1999)~$49.70
Machamp (Base Set 1st Edition)Vintage
Machamp (Base Set 1st Edition)
Holo Rare#8/1021999
Base Set (1999)~€112.85
Zapdos (Base Set)Vintage
Zapdos (Base Set)
Holo Rare#16/1021999
Base Set (1999)

Why Base Set matters

Base Set is the foundation of Pokémon collecting: the original 102-card release, home to the Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur holos. Its earliest print runs — 1st Edition and Shadowless — are among the most valuable cards in the entire hobby.

  • +102 cards, released in English in 1999.
  • +Three print runs: 1st Edition, Shadowless, then Unlimited.
  • +The 16 holo rares are the set's chase cards; Charizard headlines them all.

Guides for this set

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.
Pokémon
Best Pokémon sets to collect in 2026
Vintage icons vs modern alt arts. How to pick a focus, buy singles over packs, and use sold comps.
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.

Frequently asked

What is the most valuable Base Set card?

The 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard is the crown jewel, especially in high grade. Charizard leads the set by a wide margin, followed by the other holo rares.

How do I tell which Base Set print run I have?

Check for the 1st Edition stamp to the left of the art; if it's absent, look at the right edge of the artwork box — no drop-shadow means Shadowless, a drop-shadow means Unlimited.

Related sets

Neo Genesis
2000
Fossil
1999

Track the whole set

Add chase cards from Base Set to your portfolio for live value, or set price alerts on cards you still want.

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