The Best Squirtle Cards in Pokémon TCG History: A Collector's Guide

Squirtle has been in the Pokémon TCG since the very beginning, and over 25+ years the card art has evolved from the simple Base Set illustration to breathtaking modern alternate arts that collectors chase across the world. Not all Squirtle cards are created equal.

This guide covers the best Squirtle cards ever printed — the ones worth collecting, the ones worth displaying, and the ones worth hunting in sealed product.

Why Squirtle Cards Hold Their Value

Squirtle occupies a special place in Pokémon collecting. As one of the three original starters from Generation 1, Squirtle benefits from cross-generational nostalgia. Kids who grew up with the original games are now adults with disposable income — and they want the cards that remind them of that era, in the best condition and most beautiful art they can find.

Modern chase cards for Squirtle have benefited from the alternate art era (starting around 2021) where illustrators paint full-bleed character scenes rather than character portraits. These cards trade more like fine art prints than gameplay pieces.

The Top Squirtle Cards Worth Collecting

1. Base Set Squirtle (Shadowless, 1999)

The original. The shadowless print from the very first Base Set run has the card frame without the drop shadow on the illustration border — a detail most collectors learn to spot when they start buying vintage cards.

A PSA 10 Shadowless Squirtle sells in the $200–$400 range depending on current market conditions. The regular Base Set Squirtle (with shadow) is still a meaningful nostalgia piece but much more accessible.

[→ Search Squirtle Base Set on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=squirtle+base+set+pokemon+card&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)

Collect if: You're building a vintage Base Set collection, you want the card that started it all, or you collect by PSA grade.

2. Squirtle - Celebrations Classic Collection (2021)

The 25th Anniversary Celebrations set reprinted classic Pokémon cards with a special holo overlay. The Squirtle in the Classic Collection is a faithful reprint of the original Base Set art with a modern finish — beautiful and accessible.

This one is easier to find than original Base Set copies and is an excellent display piece. Most copies grade at PSA 9 or 10 without much effort since they're newer cards.

[→ Shop Pokémon Celebrations collection on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pokemon+celebrations+classic+collection&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)

3. Squirtle - Scarlet & Violet 151 (2023)

The SV 151 set was built around nostalgia — a modern reprint of the original 151 Pokémon with updated art from contemporary illustrators. The Squirtle in this set gets fresh illustration treatment while maintaining the Pokédex numbering (007) that every collector recognizes.

This set is still actively opened, which means copies are widely available. Foil variants are worth grabbing for display.

[→ Shop SV151 Pokémon cards on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pokemon+scarlet+violet+151+booster+box&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)

4. Squirtle - McDonalds Promo (Various Years)

McDonald's Pokémon cards are consistently undervalued by the broader collector market and consistently loved by fans who actually lived through getting them with Happy Meals. Squirtle appears in multiple McDonald's promo runs (2021 set being particularly well-printed).

These cards are hard to find in true PSA 10 because most were opened and played by kids. A gem mint McDonald's Squirtle is surprisingly collectible.

[→ Search Pokémon McDonald's promo cards on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pokemon+mcdonalds+promo+card+squirtle&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)

5. Blastoise ex — Paldea Evolved (Chase Evolution Art)

Squirtle collecting logically extends to Blastoise, its final form. The Blastoise ex alternate art cards from recent sets feature full-bleed painted scenes that are among the most visually impressive cards in modern Pokémon TCG.

A graded PSA 10 Blastoise ex alternate art is a serious display piece — the kind of card that works equally well in a protective frame on a shelf.

[→ Search Blastoise ex alternate art on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blastoise+ex+alternate+art+pokemon&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)

6. Squirtle - Neo Discovery Era

The Neo sets (1999–2001) don't get enough love in the Squirtle collector conversation. The Neo Discovery Squirtle has a distinctive art style that's clearly of its era and is significantly cheaper than Base Set copies of similar condition.

For collectors who appreciate the full timeline of Squirtle card art, Neo Discovery fills an important chapter.

Squirtle Cards Comparison Table

| Card | Era | Approx. Value (PSA 10) | Collector Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Set Shadowless | 1999 | $200–$400 | High — cornerstone |
| Base Set (with shadow) | 1999 | $50–$120 | Medium — accessible vintage |
| Celebrations Classic | 2021 | $20–$40 | Medium — great display piece |
| SV 151 | 2023 | $5–$15 | Low — widely available |
| McDonald's Promo (2021) | 2021 | $15–$60 | Medium — nostalgia value |
| Neo Discovery | 2001 | $30–$80 | Medium — underrated |

Values fluctuate with market conditions. Check current eBay sold listings for real-time pricing.

How to Buy Squirtle Cards Without Getting Burned

Buy graded for vintage. Any Base Set Squirtle you're paying more than $30 for should be in a PSA, BGS, or CGC slab. Raw ungraded vintage cards are easy to misrepresent.

Check seller feedback on eBay. For raw modern cards, buy from sellers with 99%+ feedback and recent activity. Ask for photos if they're not provided.

Open sealed product when you want the hunt. If you want to pull a Squirtle yourself, SV 151 booster bundles and ETBs are good targets since the set has strong Squirtle/Blastoise representation.

[→ Shop Pokémon TCG booster boxes on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pokemon+scarlet+violet+booster+box&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)

Avoid third-party graded fakes. Cards in "HGA" or "FCG" slabs from sellers you don't know have a higher incidence of counterfeit cards. Stick with PSA, BGS (Beckett), or CGC.

Building a Squirtle Collection

The most satisfying Squirtle collections aren't random accumulations — they're organized around a theme. Some popular approaches:

Base Set tribute: PSA-graded Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise from the 1999 Base Set. Frame-worthy and tells the original story.

Illustration evolution: One Squirtle card from each major era (Base Set → Neo → EX era → modern). Shows how the art has changed.

Alternate art modern focus: Chase every Squirtle and Blastoise alternate art from the last 3 years. Expensive but visually spectacular.

Complete Squirtle Pokédex: Every official Squirtle card ever printed. A true completionist project with hundreds of cards.

For more Pokémon card collecting strategy, see our guide on [Squirtle gift ideas for every budget](/blog/squirtle-gift-ideas) and [the history and story of Squirtle's Squad in the anime](/blog/squirtles-story-history).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Squirtle card to collect? The shadowless 1999 Base Set Squirtle is the holy grail for serious collectors — the original, most historically significant version of the card. For accessibility, the Celebrations Classic Collection Squirtle (25th Anniversary) is a beautiful modern entry point. For modern art quality, the SV 151 Squirtle is the current standout.

Are older Squirtle cards more valuable than newer ones? Generally yes — vintage Base Set cards in high grade command strong premiums due to scarcity and nostalgia. However, modern alternate art cards from popular sets (like SV 151 illustration rares) can be equally or more valuable than some vintage cards, particularly in raw condition. Value depends on a combination of rarity, condition, and collector demand.

What sets should I buy to pull Squirtle or Blastoise cards? Scarlet & Violet 151 is the single best modern set for Squirtle-line collectors — the entire set is built around the original 151 Pokémon with updated art, making it ideal for any Generation 1 fan. For vintage-style nostalgia, the Celebrations set reprinted classic Pokémon cards with modern foiling. For competitive-era cards, look for Sword & Shield sets featuring Blastoise VMAX.

How do I build a Squirtle card collection on a budget? Start with the Celebrations Squirtle (~$5–10) and the regular Base Set Squirtle (with shadow, ~$5–15 raw). These give you a beautiful modern piece and the original card at minimal cost. As your budget grows, hunt for a Shadowless Base Set copy and add SV 151 cards. PSA-graded copies add significantly to cost but also to long-term value — prioritize graded for vintage picks.

Is Squirtle or Blastoise more collectible? Blastoise has historically commanded higher prices due to its status as a Base Set Holo Rare (featured on the original booster box backs) and stronger competitive history. But Squirtle has unique collectibility driven by the Squirtle Squad anime legacy, and the complete evolutionary line (Squirtle + Wartortle + Blastoise) is what most serious collectors pursue together rather than in isolation.