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Ho-oh - Skyridge (Crystal Type Holo) [149/144]

Front and back view of a 2003 Skyridge Ho-oh Crystal Type secret rare card 149/144 in excellent condition. - view 1
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Estimated value

$800 - $1,800

Rarity

Very Rare(8/10)

Category

Trading Cards

Brand

Pokémon

Era

2003

Origin

🇺🇸 United States

Artist / Creator

Hajime Kusajima

Authenticity

High(75%)
6

HO-OH - SKYRIDGE (CRYSTAL TYPE HOLO) [149/144]: IDENTIFICATION

A rare 'Crystal Type' Pokémon card featuring Ho-oh from the 2003 Skyridge expansion, the final set produced by Wizards of the Coast. The card features a distinct e-Reader border design and a multi-colored starlight holofoil pattern. The artwork by Hajime Kusajima depicts the rainbow Pokémon in a stylized, watercolor-aesthetic profile. This specific variant is numbered 149/144, indicating its status as a 'Secret Rare' within the set's numbering scheme.

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

Japanese MythologyEdo Period

Ho-oh is directly inspired by the Hō-ō, the Japanese phoenix, which serves as a symbol of the Empress and represents fire, justice, and obedience.

Meaning Through Time

2003

Primarily viewed as a niche game mechanic for the under-utilized e-Reader peripheral.

2020s

Recognized as a blue-chip 'Wizards of the Coast' era investment piece, representing the pinnacle of vintage card scarcity.

SET RELEASE & PRINT RUN

Skyridge, released in May 2003, represents the final collaboration between Nintendo and Wizards of the Coast (WotC) before the license transitioned to The Pokémon Company International (TPCi). Due to the contract termination, Skyridge had a shorter print run compared to earlier WotC sets, making ...
Skyridge, released in May 2003, represents the final collaboration between Nintendo and Wizards of the Coast (WotC) before the license transitioned to The Pokémon Company International (TPCi). Due to the contract termination, Skyridge had a shorter print run compared to earlier WotC sets, making its high-rarity chase cards, such as the Crystal Types, significantly scarcer than standard holographic rares of that era. The 'Crystal Type' mechanic was an early attempt to integrate multi-energy card gameplay, functionally serving as the spiritual successor to the 'Shining' Pokémon from the Neo series.

COLLECTOR INTEL

1

Data from PSA's Population Report as of 2024 shows that Crystal Ho-oh has roughly 50% fewer graded examples than the Charizard from the same set, illustrating its relative scarcity.

SCARCITY

Very Rare95-98%
CommonLegendary

Museum-quality consideration with documented examples tracked by specialists. Appear at auction perhaps once a year.

Rarity 8/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 8 trading cards items at rarity 8 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Museum-quality consideration
  • Tracked by specialists
  • Auction house highlight pieces

Confidence Factors

  • Holographic pattern correctly matches the 'starlight' pattern unique to e-series Skyridge holos
  • Transition of font weights and 'Poké-BODY' logo matches 2003 Wizards of the Coast print standards
  • Skyridge is a high-value set frequently targeted by high-quality proxies; a light-transparency test is recommended
How does authenticity detection work?

GRADING EXPERT'S TAKE

Trading Card Market Analyst

Card Specialist

Standard identifiers (set mark, artist, font, holo pattern) are clearly visible and consistent with authentic 2003 Skyridge production. High-resolution images allow for a confident condition assessment.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Set ID 149/144 confirms Secret Rare status
  • 2Symbol bottom right identifies Skyridge expansion
  • 3Crystal Type mechanic text is font-accurate to 2003 WotC prints
  • 4Dot-code scan strips on left and bottom edges are characteristic of the e-Reader era

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Skyridge cards are becoming a high risk for counterfeit 'inkjet' prints; surface texture needs loupe verification to confirm halftone patterns
  • •Bottom centering on the front is near the 60/40 threshold for Gem Mint status

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Examine surface under a 10x jeweler's loupe to verify the 'rosette' printing pattern
  • →Perform a light test to ensure the card stock has the correct interior blue-core layer
  • →Submit to a professional grading service (PSA, CGC, or BGS) to secure market value premium

CONDITION & GRADE

PSA 8-9

Grading breakdown

While the user states 'Mint', the bottom front border shows a minor alignment shift. The reverse edges are extremely clean, but high-resolution macro photography is required to confirm the 'Mint' (PSA 9) or 'Gem Mint' (PSA 10) status due to the high sensitivity of e-series edges to whitening.

Condition

The card exhibits sharp corners and minimal edge wear on the reverse. The holofoil surface appears clean without visible scratches in the provided lighting. Centering on the front appears slightly bottom-heavy, while the reverse centering is remarkably balanced.

TRADING CARD MARKET VALUE

$800 - $1,800

Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Who buys this

High-end vintage Pokémon investors and 'WotC-era' completionists who prioritize Skyridge due to its historical status as the final set for the original manufacturer.

What increases value

  • •Crystal Type variety (one of only a few in the set)
  • •Skyridge set scarcity
  • •Mint condition status (PSA 9/10 candidates command massive premiums)

What lowers value

  • •Surface scratches invisible in flat lighting
  • •Micro-indentations on the rear surface

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Perfect 50/50 centering
  • •Lack of print lines in the holofoil
  • •Zero 'silvering' on front edges

Grade & condition

Centering (front/back), corner sharpness, the presence of print lines in the foil, and edge whitening on the dark blue reverse.

Rarity & demand

Very RareHigh demandSells quickly
Browse similar trading cards objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

YOUR INPUT VS. SCAN

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

What Aligned

  • User stated 'Mint' - Visual inspection confirms very sharp corner integrity and lack of rear whitening often found in this era.

FROM THE CABINET OF

EB

ebrahim
Wonderseeker•1 item

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