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

A 2002 Pokémon Charizard holo card from the Expedition Base Set with significant creasing and edge wear. - view 1
1/3

Estimated value

$40 - $85

Rarity

Scarce(6/10)

Category

Trading Cards

Brand

Pokémon

Era

2002

Origin

🇺🇸 United States

Artist / Creator

Hiromichi Sugiyama

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
6

COLLECTOR'S BREAKDOWN: CHARIZARD - EXPEDITION BASE SET (HOLO RARE) [6/165]

A classic Holo Rare Charizard from the 'e-Reader' era of the Pokémon TCG. The artwork by Hiromichi Sugiyama depicts the iconic Flame Pokémon in a dynamic aerial pose against a starlit, nebulous background. This card is distinguished by its unique 'e-Card' border, which features dot-code strips on the left and bottom edges designed to be scanned by the Nintendo Game Boy Advance e-Reader accessory to unlock in-game data or mini-games.

CULTURAL CARD LORE

Where This Object Echoes

Western Medieval FolkloreMedieval - Renaissance

Charizard's design heavily draws from the Western 'Fire-Breathing Dragon' trope, symbolizing untamable power and elemental fury.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

  • •Competitive TCG 'Era Play', where players use older formats like the e-Card era for retro tournaments.

Meaning Through Time

Early 2000s

Primarily a game piece and a technological novelty for the e-Reader accessory.

2020s

A high-stability 'blue chip' asset in the collectibles market, serving as a nostalgic centerpiece for older collectors.

CARD HISTORY & PRINT RUNS

Released in 2002, the Expedition Base Set marked a major transition for the Pokémon TCG as Wizards of the Coast (WotC) began the 'e-Card' series. This specific Charizard is highly nostalgic for collectors as it represents one of the final high-value Charizards produced by WotC before the license ...
Released in 2002, the Expedition Base Set marked a major transition for the Pokémon TCG as Wizards of the Coast (WotC) began the 'e-Card' series. This specific Charizard is highly nostalgic for collectors as it represents one of the final high-value Charizards produced by WotC before the license transferred to Pokémon USA/Nintendo. The e-Reader technology was a short-lived but innovative attempt to bridge physical cards with digital gameplay.

COLLECTOR INTEL

1

The dot-code on the bottom of this card could be scanned to play a 'hidden' animation or sound clip on a Game Boy Advance.

2

Expedition was the first set to introduce the modern 'Reverse Holo' parallel style, though this specific specimen is the traditional Holofoil version.

HOW SCARCE IS IT?

Scarce80-90%
CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Typical Characteristics

  • Dozens per year at market
  • Documented provenance valued
  • Active collector pursuit

Confidence Factors

  • Card details (HP 120, Set 6/165) properly match the Expedition Base Set release.
  • Holofoil pattern and 'e-Reader' dot-code quality appear consistent with authentic 2002 printing.
  • Wear and creasing patterns are consistent with authentic aged cardstock.
How does authenticity detection work?

GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE

Trading Card Market Analyst

Card Specialist

The card is clearly identifiable as the 6/165 Expedition Charizard; however, the lack of a back-side photo prevents a total assessment of the card's structural stability.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Identified as Expedition Base Set #6/165 by the 'e' logo in bottom left and set number in bottom right.
  • 2Verification of 'Holo Rare' status (rather than Non-Holo Rare #39 or Reverse Holo).
  • 3Visual identification of a full-length vertical crease through the center art and text box.
  • 4Notable 'Wizards of the Coast' era font and formatting styles confirmed.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •The vertical crease significantly compromises the card's structural integrity and market value.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Take a photo of the card back to assess 'whitening' and possible hidden peeling.
  • →Place the card in a semi-rigid saver to prevent the crease from worsening.
  • →Check for any distinct 'swirly' patterns in the holofoil, which can sometimes carry a small premium even on damaged cards.

CONDITION & GRADE

PSA 1 (Poor)

Grading breakdown

The large vertical crease running through the entire card automatically caps the grade at a PSA 1. Extensive whitening on all edges and corner softening further confirm a low-grade 'filler' designation.

Condition

Significant structural damage including a deep vertical crease through the center and a smaller horizontal crease at the top right. Heavy edge wear/whitening and surface grime are present across the yellow borders.

Surface

Traditional Wizards of the Coast holofoil with a 'starlight' pattern; notable vertical crease and moderate surface scuffing visible.

Weight & feel

Standard 300gsm cardstock, typical of early 2000s WotC production; feels less rigid due to structural damage.

TRADING CARD MARKET VALUE

$40 - $85

Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Who buys this

Budget-conscious 'binder' collectors looking for a classic Charizard placeholder or 'damaged' card enthusiasts.

What increases value

  • •Charizard character tax—even damaged copies retain basic value due to character popularity
  • •Historical significance as an e-Series WotC card

What lowers value

  • •The vertical crease is a 'dealbreaker' for collectors seeking mid-to-high grades
  • •Surface grime may be permanent and risk ink loss if cleaned poorly

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Pristine holofoil surface with no horizontal micro-scratching
  • •Perfect '10/10' centering of the dot-code and art window
  • •A visible 'holo swirl' in a desirable location near the character

Grade & condition

Structural integrity (creases), edge whitening, and surface clarity.

Rarity & demand

ScarceModerate demandModerate liquidity
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For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

YOUR INPUT VS. SCANNER FINDINGS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

  • User stated 'Needs restoration' - card has a deep vertical crease and heavy surface grime consistent with a 'Poor' grade.

What Conflicted

  • User listed 'Pokemon' as Artist - visual evidence identifies Hiromichi Sugiyama as the illustrator.

FROM THE CABINET OF

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adielq45
Wonderseeker•1 item

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