'Most iconic Pokémon card ever made' set to fetch thousands at Staffordshire auction

A fourth print Charizard card is itself a rarity in the Pokémon world due to its scarce print run. But this trophy card has been graded 9 by the respected Beckett Grading Services and has three sub-grades at 9.5 for centering, corners and surface – higher than any other fourth print Charizard in the world.

And it has potential to cross over to a grade 10 with PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator). The last PSA 10 of this card to exchange hands sold privately for more than £40,000.

The card is being auctioned by Pokémon collector Jon Free, aged 32, from Great Blakenham, in Suffolk.

“The fourth print for 1999-2000 Base Set was printed due to copyright issues around the turn of millennium,” he explained.

“Non-holo fourth print cards were printed worldwide however the holographic cards were only printed in the UK for around two weeks.

“It is worth noting that the Charizard fourth print holo is the only holo card to exhibit slightly altered artwork, with the black stripes behind the Charizard being changed to red – you can compare this to regular unlimited Charizards to see the difference.

“So this is literally the rarest print run of the most well-known set in the world! It is estimated that the first edition print run was over five times larger than the fourth print.”

Jon is one of the world’s largest collectors of fourth print Pokémon cards and has carefully built up his collection over a number of years.

“I’m sad to see this particular card go but sometimes life has to take priority,” he said.

“This card is a piece of Pokémon history and a niche gem of the most iconic card ever made! It's an absolute must for any serious collector, and a trophy card as the highest Beckett in the world.”

Richard Winterton Auctioneers has become a major destination for Pokémon collectors in recent years, with bidders from across the world competing to reach impressive hammer prices. In May, a single owner collection of Pokémon totalled £55,270. Highlights included a complete Skyridge master set, which sold for £18,000 to a UK bidder online against fierce competition from a bidder in the room.

Auctioneer Richard Winterton said: “We are inundated with emails and calls from people wanting to auction their Pokémon, which remains a seriously hot market internationally.

“It’s a privilege to be auctioning Jon’s card, the highest grade Beckett fourth print Charizard in the world, from our base in Lichfield.

“This is the highest value single Pokémon card entrusted to us and we are anticipating a huge amount of interest from all over the globe. Once again Lichfield’s place on the international Pokémon map is secured.”

The catalogue for the September 30 auction can be viewed a week before the sale via www.richardwinterton.co.uk/auction-dates.

Viewing in person takes place by appointment on Friday, September 27, and on sale day people can bid online, in the room or by prior arranged telephone bid.