Clefairy · Base Set 2, what to know.
About the Clefairy card
Numbered 6 of 130 in Base Set 2, released in February 2000, Clefairy is a Rare Holo, a Basic Colorless-type carrying 40 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Clefairy needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
Illustrated by Ken Sugimori. Sugimori is the lead character designer of Pokémon itself, so his card art carries the tight, on-model look that defined how the creatures appear in the games.
Printed on the card, the Clefairy Pokédex entry reads: "Its magical and cute appeal has many admirers. It is rare and found only in certain areas."
About Clefairy in the Pokémon world
A pink fairy-type Pokémon (originally Normal in Gen 1). Famous for being almost-mascot before Pikachu took the slot in the anime. Base Set holo Clefairy is one of the original 16 holos and trades steadily. Its connection to the early Pokémon marketing makes it a sentimental pick.
What is Clefairy worth?
Clefairy is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Base Set 2's value. The print variant decides most of it: a 1st Edition copy in high grade commands a large premium over a Shadowless or Unlimited one. In top-grade 1st Edition, Base Set 2 holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to the set's marquee chase; raw and Unlimited copies trade for a fraction of that. The live market price above shows the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Base Set 2 produced Unlimited prints. For Clefairy, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
On a holo like Clefairy, surface is the grade cap. The colorless foil shows hairlines under raking light, and the print reveals scratches that flat scans miss. Centering on the left and right borders is the second thing to check.
If you are collecting Clefairy
For Clefairy, variant comes before condition. A 1st Edition and an Unlimited Clefairy are different markets for the same art, so settle the print before you negotiate. Demand a clear photo of the Clefairy holo for any raw purchase.
