Venusaur

Market outlook

Declining Outlook 4/10

30-day -22.5% drop reflects post-hype saturation; anniversary sets lose steam quickly without scarcity.

Next months. Continued softening to $6-9 raw; graded holds $80+ floor

Long term. Stabilizes as affordable nostalgia; minor uptick possible with Pokémon 30th anniversary hype

History

Venusaur is the final evolution of Bulbasaur, the Grass/Poison-type Starter Pokémon from Generation 1. Debuting in Pokémon Red and Green (1996 in Japan), Venusaur is iconic as the fully evolved form of the first starter, known for its massive flower on its back that blooms with solar energy, symbolizing growth and nature. It holds significance as part of the original trio (with Charmander and Squirtle), appearing in every core Pokémon game, anime, and media, representing resilience and the Grass-type archetype.

First printed as Venusaur #15/102 in the Pokémon Celebrations: Classic Collection set, released November 12, 2021, as part of Pokémon's 25th Anniversary celebration, reprinting classic Base Set artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita.

• Reprint of the iconic Base Set Venusaur holo with updated 25th Anniversary stamp
• Part of the Celebrations Ultra-Premium Collection and tins
• Features the same revered Mitsuhiro Arita artwork from 1999 Base Set

Rarity and print run

Tier

Rare

Print run

Very High

First printed in

Base Set (1999)

Demand

Medium

Supply

Abundant

• Mass-printed anniversary product with high pull rates
• No chase rarity or short prints
• Graded gems scarce but raw copies plentiful

Collector notes

Condition. Check for centering (holo pattern easily shows edge wear), surface scratches on the flower petals, print lines on the textured holo background, corner whitening, and edge dings; common flaws include roller marks and print dots from mass production.

Storage. Use semi-rigid or Dragon Shield sleeves with top loaders (35pt minimum), store upright in cool, dry binders or boxes away from sunlight to prevent holo oxidation or flower fading.

Authenticity. Verify 25th Anniversary stamp alignment and font; genuine cards have crisp holo pattern without pixelation; check UV under blacklight for proper fluorescence; avoid cards with off-color borders or blurry text; use graded/graded population reports for serial verification.