Altaria - VSTAR Universe (Art Rare) [s12a-194/172]

Name: Altaria - VSTAR Universe (Art Rare) [s12a-194/172]
Brand: The Collector
Availability: LimitedAvailability

PSA 10 graded Japanese Altaria Art Rare card from VSTAR Universe featuring crocheted artwork by Asako Ito. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$25 - $45

Rarity

Average(4/10)

ALTARIA - VSTAR UNIVERSE (ART RARE) [S12A-194/172]: IDENTIFICATION

This Japanese-language Altaria card features the Art Rare (AR) variant from the High-Class Pack VSTAR Universe set. The artwork by Asako Ito utilizes a signature amigurumi (crocheted) style, depicting Altaria sitting on a bed in a warmly lit room. The card is a Stage 1 Dragon-type Pokémon with 90 HP, featuring the 'Tempting Tune' Ability (いざなうしらべ) and the Glide attack (かっくう). It is securely housed in a third-generation PSA sonic-welded slab with a red-bordered label.

Compare with other trading cards in the archive: Cavallone Tropicale (Tropical Tidal Wave) - Italian 2006 World Championships Promo #36, Vegeta - Dramatic Art (Ultra God Mission 5) [UGM5-020 DA], Magikarp - Pokémon Card 151 (Special Art Rare) [080/165].

SET RELEASE & PRINT RUN

Released in Japan on December 2, 2022, VSTAR Universe served as the final High-Class subset of the Sword & Shield Era. This set introduced the Art Rare rarity tier to the Japanese market, focusing on full-bleed illustrations that prioritize artistic storytelling over traditional game mechanics. ...

SCARCITY

Average55-70%

CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 126 trading cards items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Standard antique shop items
Regularly available
Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

PSA slab shows correct security holographic features
Certification number is formatted correctly for recent 11-series submissions
Print quality and texture on the card face match known s12a production standards

How does authenticity detection work?

GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE

Trading Card Market Analyst

Card Specialist

The card identification, set details, and grading authentication are clearly visible through high-resolution images of both the front and back of the slab.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Confirmed set symbol for s12a (VSTAR Universe) in the bottom left corner.
2Card number 194/172 identifies it as a Secret Rare (Art Rare) tier.
3PSA label typography and font spacing match current authentic lighthouse-label standards.
4Asako Ito's distinctive crochet-photography style is present and consistent with her other TCG contributions.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Verify the certification number directly on the PSA Smash website for registry confirmation.
→Check the slab for the 'PSA' etched logo in the bottom right corner of the plastic.

CONDITION & GRADE

PSA 10

Grading breakdown

Official PSA Gem Mint 10 grade. Registry number 111302914. Centering appears 50/50 on the front and back; corners are sharp with no visible paper loss or silvering.

Condition

The card is professionally graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA. Visual inspection confirms excellent top-to-bottom and left-to-right centering on the face. The reverse shows clean blue borders free of the 'whitening' often found on Japanese high-class pack cards.

TRADING CARD MARKET VALUE

$25 - $45

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Entry-level slab collectors and 'set-builders' looking to complete a PSA 10 VSTAR Universe master set.

What increases value

•PSA 10 grade carries a significant premium over raw copies
•Popularity of Asako Ito's unique crochet art style among niche collectors

What lowers value

•High population reports for modern Art Rares can limit long-term price appreciation
•Potential for price softening if Japanese market supply increases