1999 Pokemon Base Set 1st Edition Alakazam Holo Value & Price Guide

Alakazam was card number one. Literally. In the 1999 Pokemon Base Set, the cards were organized alphabetically, and Alakazam claimed the #1/102 slot. For completionists building a 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set, this was the card that started the binder. For collectors today, it is one of the more accessible holos from the original set while still carrying serious value in top grades.

Quick Value Summary

• Item: 1999 Pokemon Base Set 1st Edition Alakazam Holo #1/102

• Year: 1999

• Category: Trading Cards (Pokemon)

• Condition Range:

  • Raw (played condition): $100 - $200
  • PSA 5-6 (EX to EX-MT): $200 - $350
  • PSA 7-8 (NM to NM-MT): $350 - $700
  • PSA 9 (Mint): $1,500 - $3,000
  • PSA 10 (Gem Mint): $5,000 - $8,000+

• Recent Sales: Raw 1st Edition Shadowless copies selling $245-$600 on eBay in February 2026

• Rarity: Scarce in 1st Edition; common in Unlimited

The Story

The Pokemon Base Set launched in the United States on January 9, 1999, and changed the trading card industry overnight. Wizards of the Coast, who held the North American license, printed the set in several waves. The first wave carried the 1st Edition stamp, a small black circle with "1" and "EDITION" text on the left side of the card. These 1st Edition prints were limited and quickly sold out, leading to subsequent Shadowless and then Unlimited print runs.

Alakazam, the Psychic-type Pokemon, was depicted in his holo form with art by Ken Sugimori. The card featured 80 HP and the powerful "Damage Swap" Pokemon Power, which allowed players to move damage counters between their Pokemon. In the competitive game, Alakazam was a key component of the "Raindance" deck archetype and saw significant tournament play.

What makes the 1st Edition Alakazam particularly interesting for collectors is its position as card #1 in the set. While Charizard (#4) and Blastoise (#2) get more attention and higher prices, Alakazam has a loyal following among set builders and Psychic-type enthusiasts. Its PSA population in 10 is relatively small, making high-grade examples genuinely scarce.

PSA auction data shows total auction value for the 1st Edition Alakazam exceeding $540,000 across 502 documented sales. That is a significant market for a card that sits in the shadow of Charizard.

How to Identify the 1st Edition Shadowless Version

There are three distinct versions of the Base Set Alakazam, and knowing which you have is critical:

• 1st Edition Shadowless: Has the 1st Edition stamp (small circle logo) on the left side of the card, below the artwork frame. No shadow effect on the right side of the artwork box. The card text and energy symbols have a slightly different weight compared to later prints. This is the most valuable version.

• Shadowless (no 1st Edition stamp): Identical to 1st Edition in appearance except it lacks the 1st Edition stamp. Still valuable but worth roughly 30-50% of the 1st Edition price.

• Unlimited: Has a visible shadow on the right and bottom edges of the artwork box. The text appears slightly bolder. This is the most common version and worth $20-$50 for the holo in good condition.

Quick identification tips:

• Look at the right edge of the card artwork frame. If there is a visible drop shadow, it is Unlimited.

• Look for the 1st Edition stamp to the left of the artwork, below the Pokemon's HP.

• Check the copyright line at the bottom. 1st Edition and Shadowless cards typically show "99" in the copyright.

• The card back on 1st Edition/Shadowless has slightly lighter blue coloring compared to Unlimited.

Value by Condition

Raw (Ungraded, Played): Cards with whitening on edges, light scratches on the holo surface, or minor creasing. Raw 1st Edition Shadowless Alakazam holos sold for $245 to $600 on eBay in February 2026, depending on visible condition.

PSA 5-6 (Excellent to Excellent-Mint): Noticeable wear but structurally sound. Expect $200 to $350. These represent the entry point for 1st Edition holo collecting.

PSA 7 (Near Mint): Light edge wear, possibly minor surface scratching visible under magnification. Sales around $350 to $500.

PSA 8 (Near Mint-Mint): Very light edge wear, clean holo surface, good centering. Expect $500 to $700. This is the sweet spot where the card presents well but remains accessible.

PSA 9 (Mint): Exceptional condition with only the most minor imperfections visible under magnification. Strong centering required. Sales range from $1,500 to $3,000. The jump from PSA 8 to PSA 9 is substantial in both quality and price.

PSA 10 (Gem Mint): Perfect or near-perfect in all categories: centering, corners, edges, and surface. PSA 10 1st Edition Alakazam holos sell for $5,000 to $8,000. The PSA population at 10 is limited, keeping prices firm.

Centering matters: Pokemon Base Set cards are notorious for centering issues. A card with 55/45 or better centering front and back has a much better chance of reaching PSA 9 or 10. Cards with 60/40 or worse centering are typically capped at PSA 8.

Known Variations

• 1st Edition Shadowless (English): The primary collectible. Black star 1st Edition stamp, no shadow on card frame.

• Shadowless (English): No 1st Edition stamp but same card stock and printing characteristics. Worth 30-50% of 1st Edition.

• Unlimited (English): Shadow on card frame. Common. $20-$50 in holo condition.

• 1st Edition (Other Languages): French, German, Italian, and Spanish 1st Edition Base Set cards exist. They sell for significantly less than English versions but have their own collector following. A French PSA 10 1st Edition Alakazam sold for $1,890 in early 2026.

• Japanese Base Set: The original Japanese printing preceded the English set. Japanese holos have a different card back and slightly different formatting. Worth less than English 1st Edition but appreciated for their connection to the original release.

Authentication and Fakes

Pokemon card counterfeiting is a significant problem, especially for high-value 1st Edition holos:

• Card stock test: Genuine Pokemon cards have a black layer visible when viewing the card edge from the side. Fakes often lack this layer or have a visible white core.

• Holo pattern: The original Base Set uses a "cosmos" holo pattern with a star-burst effect. Fakes may have the wrong pattern or excessive sparkle.

• Light test: Hold the card up to a light source. Genuine cards block light almost entirely. Many fakes allow light to pass through.

• Text quality: Examine text under magnification. Genuine cards have clean, sharp text. Fakes often show fuzzy edges or pixelation.

• 1st Edition stamp: The stamp should be cleanly printed with consistent ink density. Counterfeit stamps may be slightly different in size, position, or ink quality.

• PSA/BGS grading: For any 1st Edition holo worth over $200, professional grading is strongly recommended. PSA charges $50 to $150 per card depending on service level and declared value.

Where to Sell

• eBay: The largest marketplace for Pokemon cards. Strong sell-through rates for 1st Edition Base Set holos. Fees approximately 13%.

• TCGplayer: A dedicated trading card marketplace with competitive pricing. Lower fees than eBay for some card categories.

• PWCC or Goldin Auctions: For PSA 9+ copies, consignment auctions can bring premium prices. Buyer's premiums of 15-20%.

• Facebook groups: Active Pokemon card trading groups offer peer-to-peer sales with lower fees. Requires reputation building.

• Local card shops: Many shops buy Pokemon cards. Expect 50-70% of market value for immediate sale.

Not sure about the condition of yours? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for a quick estimate.

Explore More

The 1st Edition Alakazam may not be the Charizard, but it holds a special place as card #1 in the set that launched a global phenomenon. In top grades, it commands serious money, and its relatively lower profile compared to Charizard means there may still be value in the market that collectors have not fully realized.

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