Magby · Expedition Base Set, what to know.
About the Magby card
Numbered 17 of 165 in Expedition Base Set, released in September 2002, Magby is a Rare Holo, a Basic Fire-type carrying 30 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Magby needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita. Arita painted the Base Set Charizard and much of the early holo run, and his work has a painterly weight that set the visual tone of the Wizards era.
What is Magby worth?
Magby is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Expedition Base Set'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, Expedition Base Set 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
Confirm the print and finish on Magby before pricing it, since variant and rarity set the market more than the card name alone.
Grading and condition
Grading Magby comes down to the holo surface and the borders. The era's foil scratches easily, so even a pack-fresh Magby can drop from a 10 to a 9 on a single hairline. Inspect the window at an angle and the corners against the frame.
If you are collecting Magby
For Magby, variant comes before condition. A 1st Edition and an Unlimited Magby are different markets for the same art, so settle the print before you negotiate. Demand a clear photo of the Magby holo for any raw purchase.
