Charizard - Expedition Base Set (Holo Rare) [6/165]

Name: Charizard - Expedition Base Set (Holo Rare) [6/165]
Brand: adielq45
Availability: LimitedAvailability

A 2002 Pokémon Expedition Charizard Holofoil card with a visible vertical crease and edge wear on a grey textured surface. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$80 - $180

Rarity

Rare(7/10)

CHARIZARD - EXPEDITION BASE SET (HOLO RARE) [6/165]: IDENTIFICATION

This is a Holofoil Charizard card from the 2002 Expedition Base Set, the first expansion of the e-Card era produced by Wizards of the Coast. The card features a distinct yellow 'e' border on the bottom and left sides, designed for use with the Nintendo e-Reader peripheral. The artwork by Hiromichi Sugiyama depicts Charizard in flight against a constellation-patterned holographic background. Technical specifications include 120 HP, the 'Burning Energy' Poke-POWER, and the 'Scorching Whirlwind' attack requiring four Fire Energy.

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].

CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS

Where This Object Echoes

Western Medieval FolkloreMedieval

Charizard's design mirrors the classic fire-breathing dragon archetypes prevalent in European mythology.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Competitive TCG gameplay in the early 2000s where Charizard served as a 'Stage 2' heavy hitter.

Meaning Through Time

2002

A high-tech interactive game piece compatible with the latest handheld console hardware.

2024

A highly collectible 'Wizards of the Coast' era relic valued for its rarity and nostalgia.

SET RELEASE & PRINT RUN

Released in September 2002, the Expedition Base Set marked a significant shift in the TCG's design language, introducing Dot Code technology for compatibility with Game Boy Advance hardware. This was the first of only three main expansions to feature the e-Reader border before Nintendo took over production from Wizards of the Coast in 2003. This specific card, 6/165, is the Holofoil version, which was significantly harder to pull than the non-holo rare (40/165) or the reverse-holo variant.

SCARCITY

Rare90-95%

CommonLegendary

Exceptional items that serious collectors actively seek. Only a handful appear at major auctions each year.

Rarity 7/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 18 trading cards items at rarity 7 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Few examples at auction yearly
Specialist dealer networks
Strong collector competition

Confidence Factors

Correct dot code patterns for the e-Reader era
Authentic 'Starlight' holo pattern characteristic of Wizards of the Coast 2002 production
Worn condition is consistent with authentic vintage card stock rather than modern reprints

How does authenticity detection work?

GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE

Trading Card Market Analyst

Card Specialist

The card is clearly identified as a genuine 2002 Expedition Charizard due to the unique e-Reader borders and specific art/numbering. The condition is easily assessed from the provided high-resolution images.

KEY EVIDENCE

1ID: B-72 unique identifier visible on middle right
2Set symbol (e-Reader logo) confirmed at bottom left
3Card number 6/165 identifies this as the rare Holofoil print
4Large vertical crease present in center
5Correct font kerning and copyright text for 2002 production

UNCERTAINTIES

•Severe creasing affects visual appeal and market value despite the card's inherent rarity

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Take a photo of the card back to check for further whitening or peeling
→Place in a rigid sleeve (toploader) to prevent the crease from worsening
→Examine surface under a desk lamp to check for 'silvering' on the front edges

CONDITION & GRADE

PSA 1-2

Grading breakdown

Heavy creasing and significant surface abrasion significantly lower the grade. The vertical crease is a 'Poor' (PSA 1) indicator as it affects the structural integrity of the card stock.

Condition

The card exhibits severe structural damage, most notably a deep vertical crease extending from the top center through the artwork and text box. Significant edge wear and 'whitening' are visible along all borders, and the surface shows multiple scratches and scuffs that dull the holographic luster.

TRADING CARD MARKET VALUE

$80 - $180

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Vintage Pokémon collectors seeking to complete the Expedition set or Charizard-specific 'master' collections, often looking for 'binder copies' when high-grade examples are unaffordable.

What increases value

•The 'Charizard tax' – this character consistently maintains the highest demand in the hobby
•Wizards of the Coast era production, which attracts a premium over later Nintendo-produced sets

What lowers value

•The heavy vertical crease reduces value by approximately 70-80% compared to a Near Mint copy
•High population of moderately worn copies in the market creates stiff competition for low-grade sales