2003 Pokemon EX Dragon Charizard ex #100

The early 2000s were a transformative period for the Pokemon Trading Card Game. After the initial frenzy of the late 1990s cooled, the game needed to reinvent itself to keep players and collectors engaged. The EX series, launched in 2003, did exactly that, introducing a new card mechanic that would define Pokemon TCG for years. And right there in the EX Dragon expansion, card #100, was Charizard ex, carrying the weight of the franchise's most beloved Pokemon into a new era of gameplay and collecting.

The 2003 EX Dragon Charizard ex holds a special place in the hearts of collectors who grew up during this transitional period. It was not the first Charizard card, and it was not the last. But it was the Charizard that proved the fire-breathing dragon could remain relevant and desirable even as the game evolved beyond its Base Set origins.

The EX Mechanic

To appreciate this card's significance, you need to understand what "ex" meant in 2003. Pokemon ex (lowercase) were a new type of powerful Pokemon card that offered significantly higher HP and more devastating attacks than regular Pokemon. The trade-off was substantial: when a Pokemon ex was knocked out, the opponent took two prize cards instead of one. This risk-reward mechanic added strategic depth to the game and created natural excitement around ex cards.

The EX Dragon set was the fourth expansion in the EX series, released on November 24, 2003. It introduced Dragon-type Pokemon to the TCG for the first time and contained 100 cards in the standard set, with Charizard ex occupying the final and most prominent slot.

Card Details

• Set: EX Dragon

• Card Number: 100/97 (Secret Rare, numbered beyond the standard set)

• Rarity: Secret Rare / Ultra Rare

• Card Type: Pokemon ex (Fire/Colorless)

• HP: 160

• Stage: Stage 2 (evolves from Charmeleon)

• Attacks: Slash (50 damage), Burn Down (200 damage, discard 5 Fire Energy)

• Weakness: Water

• Retreat Cost: 2

• Illustrator: Ryo Ueda

The Art

Ryo Ueda's illustration captures Charizard in an aggressive, forward-facing pose, with flames erupting around its body. The holographic treatment gives the card a premium feel that set it apart from regular holographic cards in the set. The art style reflects the early 2000s Pokemon aesthetic, bridging the gap between the simpler illustrations of the Base Set era and the more elaborate artwork that would come in later sets.

Gameplay Impact

With 160 HP and a devastating 200-damage attack, Charizard ex was a powerhouse on the table. The Burn Down attack required discarding five Fire Energy cards, making it impractical for repeated use, but the sheer damage output made it a dramatic finisher. In casual play, Charizard ex was exactly what young players wanted: a card that felt overwhelmingly powerful and looked incredible doing it.

In competitive play, the energy requirements and Stage 2 evolution chain made Charizard ex less viable than some faster, more efficient ex Pokemon. But its presence in the set drove pack sales and created enormous demand for the card among both players and collectors.

Production and Rarity

As a Secret Rare numbered beyond the standard set count (100/97), Charizard ex was among the most difficult cards to pull from EX Dragon booster packs. The pull rate for Secret Rares in EX-era sets was approximately 1 in 36 packs (roughly one per booster box), though exact figures varied by print run.

EX Dragon was printed in multiple production runs to meet demand, but the set was not printed indefinitely. Once the printing window closed, the total supply of Charizard ex #100 was fixed permanently.

Current Market Values (2024-2026)

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
PSA 10 (Gem Mint)	$2,500 - $5,000
PSA 9 (Mint)	$800 - $1,500
PSA 8 (NM-MT)	$350 - $600
PSA 7 (Near Mint)	$200 - $350
CGC 9.5 (Gem Mint)	$1,200 - $2,500
CGC 9 (Mint)	$500 - $1,000
Raw (NM condition)	$200 - $500
Raw (LP condition)	$100 - $200
Raw (MP/HP)	$50 - $120

Condition Grading Factors

EX-era cards present specific grading considerations:

• Holographic Surface: The holographic layer on EX Dragon cards can show scratches, clouding, or print lines that affect grade. Examine under direct light at multiple angles.

• Edge Whitening: Common on cards from this era due to cutting consistency. Even minor whitening on edges can drop a card from PSA 10 to PSA 9.

• Centering: EX Dragon cards were printed with variable centering. Well-centered copies (60/40 or better on both axes) are necessary for PSA 10.

• Back Quality: The card back should be free from whitening, print dots, and surface issues. The blue borders on Pokemon card backs make imperfections visible.

• Print Lines: Thin lines in the holographic layer, visible under magnification, are a common defect that prevents top grades.

Market History

The EX Dragon Charizard ex has followed a trajectory familiar to many Pokemon cards from this era:

• 2003-2010: Sold for $20 to $50 raw. Considered a nice card but not yet a major collectible.

• 2011-2018: Gradual appreciation as nostalgia collecting grew. PSA 10 copies began to emerge as the premium variant, selling for $200 to $500.

• 2019-2021: Explosive growth during the Pokemon collecting boom. PSA 10 copies reached $5,000 to $10,000 at peak. Raw copies in good condition sold for $500+.

• 2022-2023: Market correction. Prices retreated to more sustainable levels.

• 2024-2026: Stabilized with steady demand, particularly for graded copies in PSA 9 and above.

Collecting Context

The EX Dragon Charizard ex sits within a specific collecting niche:

EX Era Collectors: Collectors who grew up playing Pokemon during the 2003-2007 EX series are now in their mid-20s to mid-30s, entering prime collecting and spending years. Their nostalgia drives demand for key EX-era cards.

Charizard Completists: Collectors pursuing every Charizard card ever printed represent a dedicated and well-funded demographic. The EX Dragon Charizard ex is a required piece for any comprehensive Charizard collection.

Secret Rare Specialists: The card's status as a Secret Rare (numbered beyond the set) gives it additional appeal for collectors who focus on the most difficult cards to pull.

Comparison with Other EX-Era Charizards

Card	Set	Year	PSA 10 Value
Charizard ex #100	EX Dragon	2003	$2,500 - $5,000
Charizard ex #105	EX FireRed & LeafGreen	2004	$3,000 - $6,000
Charizard * (Gold Star)	EX Dragon Frontiers	2006	$15,000 - $30,000
Crystal Charizard	Skyridge	2003	$20,000 - $50,000

The EX Dragon Charizard ex is the most affordable entry point among premium Charizard cards from the early 2000s, making it accessible to collectors who want a significant Charizard without committing to five-figure pricing.

Investment Analysis

Strengths:

• Charizard's evergreen popularity provides a demand floor

• EX-era nostalgia is growing as that generation matures into collectors

• Secret Rare status adds scarcity appeal

• Relatively affordable compared to other premium Charizards

Weaknesses:

• Not the most visually striking Charizard card by modern standards

• Competes with numerous other Charizard cards across all eras

• The EX era is less universally nostalgic than the Base Set era

Storage and Care

For raw cards: penny sleeve inside a top loader, stored in a cool, dry location. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or humidity. For graded cards: the PSA or CGC holder provides excellent protection. Store in a padded case or graded card box.

Why This Card Matters

The 2003 EX Dragon Charizard ex represents the moment when Charizard proved it could transcend any single era of the Pokemon TCG. As the game evolved from its Base Set roots into something more complex and strategic, Charizard evolved with it. This card is a bridge between the original magic of the late 1990s and the modern Pokemon collecting landscape, and for the generation of players and collectors who experienced it firsthand, it holds a significance that no amount of market analysis can fully capture.

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