Dark Charizard Holo - Rocket Gang [No. 006]
Estimated value
$65 - $140Rarity
Scarce(6/10)Category
Trading CardsBrand
PokémonEra
1997Origin
JapanArtist / Creator
Ken SugimoriAuthenticity
DARK CHARIZARD HOLO - ROCKET GANG [NO. 006]: IDENTIFICATION
Japanese Holofoil Dark Charizard (わるいリザードン) Stage 2 monster card from the 1997 Rocket Gang expansion, illustrated by Ken Sugimori with standard Pokédex entry No. 006. The card features 80 HP, level 38 designation, 'Nail Flick' (10 damage), and the multi-energy attack 'Continuous Fireball' (50x damage per Fire Energy flipped heads). A cosmos holofoil pattern fills the 58 x 43 mm illustration box behind Charizard, flanked by the Team Rocket 'R' set symbol on the right border.
CROSS-CULTURAL PARALLELS
Where This Object Echoes
Depictions of fire-breathing wyverns and corrupted draconic beasts symbolizing wrath and elemental destruction.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •Competitive match play under standard 60-card Japanese Gym and Neo-era tournament rules during the 1997-1999 D-Format cycle.
Meaning Through Time
Antagonistic battle mechanic representing Pokémon exploited by the Team Rocket syndicate.
Vintage chase card sought for Japanese vintage holofoil printing aesthetics and Charizard character pedigree.
SET RELEASE & PRINT RUN
COLLECTOR INTEL
Media Factory assigned Dark Charizard 80 HP, exactly 40 HP lower than the 120 HP Base Set Charizard printed in October 1996.
Japanese Rocket Gang holofoil cards feature the Japanese cosmos foil pattern, whereas English Wizards of the Coast prints from April 2000 utilized the galaxy star foil standard.
SCARCITY
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
- Original 1997 Japanese cosmos holofoil pattern and rosette print structure align with Media Factory factory specifications.
- Typography, 1996 copyright date line, and Pocket Monsters back card frame show correct Japanese vintage layout.
GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE
Trading Card Market Analyst
High confidence based on unobstructed visual confirmation of the original 1997 Japanese Rocket Gang set code markings, Sugimori illustration, cosmos foil pattern, and vintage cardstock back.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1Original Japanese Pocket Monsters reverse layout with 1996 Nintendo/Creatures/GameFreak copyright.
CONDITION & GRADE
Grading breakdown
Clean corners and borders visible on both faces suggest strong Near-Mint preservation, though minor reverse centering variance prevents a baseline PSA 9 projection.
Condition
Front centering measures approximately 45/55 left-to-right. The classic Japanese reverse shows slight top-to-bottom border asymmetry, with clean midnight-blue ink borders showing no severe edge chipping or corner delamination through the toploader.
TRADING CARD MARKET VALUE
Updated: Oct 24, 2026
- Market comparables from auctions & retail
- Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
- Current collector demand & trends
- Low = quick sale, high = patient seller
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
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