Most Valuable Squirtle Cards Ever Made (2026 Collector's Guide)

Squirtle has been featured on Pokémon TCG cards since the very beginning of the game — 1999, Base Set, card number 63/102. Over 25+ years of printing, some of those cards have become genuinely valuable collectibles. This guide covers every Squirtle and Blastoise card worth tracking down in 2026.

Why Squirtle Cards Hold Value

Squirtle is one of the three original starters, and starter Pokémon from the Base Set have always commanded a premium in the collector market. But Squirtle specifically benefits from something the other starters don't have to the same degree: the cultural moment of the Squirtle Squad anime episode.

The combination of nostalgia (original starter), cultural status (the Squad), and the complete evolution line leading to Blastoise — one of the most powerful original Pokémon — makes Squirtle cards uniquely collectible.

The Most Valuable Squirtle Cards

1. Shadowless Squirtle Base Set — The True Grail

The shadowless variant of the 1999 Base Set Squirtle is the most valuable Squirtle card in existence. Understanding why requires a brief history lesson.

When Wizards of the Coast first printed the English Base Set in early 1999, they used a design that didn't include a drop shadow under the artwork box. This was corrected in subsequent print runs, meaning that only a brief window of cards — now called "shadowless" — lack this shadow.

Shadowless cards are identifiable at a glance: look at the box containing the Pokémon artwork. If there's no shadow along the right and bottom edges, it's shadowless.

Value range (raw/ungraded): $30–$100+ for near-mint examples
Graded value: PSA 9 copies regularly sell for $150–$300+; PSA 10 examples are extremely rare and command significantly more

This is the card serious Squirtle collectors target first.

2. 1st Edition Base Set Squirtle

Slightly less discussed than shadowless, but potentially just as valuable depending on condition — the 1st Edition stamp Squirtle from Base Set. Cards with the "1st Edition" stamp were the first print run of each set.

First edition cards are identified by the oval "Edition 1" stamp on the left side of the card. Clean, high-grade 1st Edition Squirtles are increasingly scarce and valuable.

3. Blastoise VMAX Rainbow Rare

Jumping to the modern era: the Blastoise VMAX Rainbow Rare from the Sword & Shield era is the most visually striking modern card in the Squirtle evolution family. Rainbow Rare treatment transforms the entire card — swirling, iridescent colors that shift in the light, with expanded full-bleed artwork.

This card is a centerpiece piece. Raw copies in near-mint condition trade in the $25–$60 range depending on current market conditions; PSA 10s command premiums.

Who should buy it: Collectors who want a visually stunning modern card without hunting for 25-year-old cards.

4. Squirtle ex Full Art

The Squirtle ex Full Art is the most popular modern Squirtle card in the collector community as of 2026. Full art treatment, beautiful expanded artwork, and the "ex" designation that resonates with players and collectors alike.

Raw near-mint copies trade in the $15–$35 range — accessible for most collectors but with genuine upside if graded high.

5. Squirtle Base Set 63/102 (Standard Edition)

The standard, widely-available version of the Base Set Squirtle. Not the shadowless variant, not 1st Edition — just the regular Base Set Squirtle that millions of kids opened from packs in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

This is the sentimental card for most collectors. Near-mint raw copies trade in the $8–$25 range depending on centering and condition. It's the right starting point for anyone building a Squirtle collection from scratch.

Grading: PSA vs. BGS vs. CGC

If you're acquiring valuable Squirtle cards, grading matters. Here's the quick breakdown:

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator): The most recognized grading service in Pokémon. PSA 10s command the highest premiums. Slower turnaround, higher cost, but maximum market liquidity.

BGS (Beckett Grading Services): Uses half-point grades and "sub-grades" for centering, edges, corners, and surface. A BGS 9.5 is often worth more than a PSA 9. Premium choice for modern cards.

CGC: Faster turnaround at competitive prices. Growing acceptance in the Pokémon market.

For vintage Base Set Squirtles, PSA is the default choice. For modern cards, any of the three work well.

What to Watch in 2026

The Pokémon card market has stabilized significantly since the 2020–2021 bubble, but blue-chip vintage cards (Base Set, especially shadowless and 1st Edition) have continued to appreciate steadily. Squirtle-line cards specifically benefit from the ongoing cultural relevance of the Squirtle Squad aesthetic.

Cards worth watching: early PSA 9 Shadowless Squirtles (increasingly scarce supply), and any future Squirtle full art releases from upcoming sets.

The Bottom Line

Start with the Base Set Squirtle. Hunt the shadowless. Add the Rainbow Rare VMAX for visual impact. That's the core Squirtle card collection, and it represents the complete arc from 1999 to today.

Stay cool. Join the Squad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most valuable Squirtle card ever made? The shadowless First Edition Base Set Squirtle from 1999 is the most valuable Squirtle card — PSA 9 copies sell for $150–$300+, and PSA 10 examples are extremely rare and command significantly more. The rarity comes from being printed in the very first production run before Wizards of the Coast modified the card border design.

How much is a Base Set Squirtle worth? A regular Base Set Squirtle (with shadow) in raw near-mint condition is worth $5–$15. The shadowless variant jumps to $30–$100+ raw, and $150–$300+ graded PSA 9. A 1st Edition stamp adds another premium. Condition is everything — the difference between a lightly played copy and a PSA 9 can be 10× in price on vintage cards.

What Blastoise cards are most valuable for Squirtle evolution collectors? The Base Set Blastoise Holo Rare is the cornerstone of any Squirtle evolution line collection — PSA 10 copies regularly sell for $1,000+. The Blastoise VMAX Rainbow Rare (Sword & Shield era) is the best-looking modern card in the line. The Blastoise GX Shiny Vault from Hidden Fates is another highly sought piece for serious collectors.

Are Squirtle cards going up in value? Blue-chip vintage Squirtle cards (Base Set shadowless and 1st Edition in PSA 9+) have shown steady appreciation as high-grade supply shrinks. The ongoing cultural relevance of Squirtle — reinforced by anniversaries, new game releases, and the Squirtle Squad aesthetic — supports consistent demand. Modern cards are more volatile, with value tied to set popularity cycles.

Where is the best place to buy valuable Squirtle cards? TCGPlayer is the most reliable marketplace for raw singles with seller ratings and buyer protection. eBay gives you access to the widest selection including graded cards — filter to completed sales to verify actual market prices rather than asking prices. For high-value vintage cards, always buy PSA, BGS, or CGC graded to eliminate authentication risk. Reddit's r/pkmntcgtrades has active Squirtle collectors willing to trade.