Magnemite, Base Set #53
Base Set · #53/102

Magnemite

CommonLightningBasic

Magnemite is the Common at card 53 of 102 in Base Set, abundant raw and cheap to grade clean. A floating electric-steel screw with two magnets attached.

Market value by grade
Updated 2026-05-25
PrintRawPSA 8PSA 9PSA 10
1st Edition$21$39$105$364
Unlimited$5.6$20$26$172
Normal$2.37$8.5$31$72

Recent eBay-derived sale averages. Prices move; the app tracks the full grade ladder and live comps.

HP
40
Type
Lightning
Stage
Basic
Pokédex
#81
About this card

Magnemite · Base Set, what to know.

About the Magnemite card

Magnemite is card 53 of 102 in Base Set, released in January 1999, a Common. It is a Basic Lightning-type with 40 HP.

As a Basic Pokémon, Magnemite needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.

Illustrated by Keiji Kinebuchi. Kinebuchi contributed a smaller body of Wizards-era cards but is responsible for several memorable holos, with a warm, heavily textured style.

The card's flavor text gives Magnemite a line of lore: "Uses anti-gravity to stay suspended. Appears without warning and uses attacks like Thunder Wave."

About Magnemite in the Pokémon world

A floating electric-steel screw with two magnets attached. Base Set Common with cult collector interest.

What is Magnemite worth?

Based on recent eBay sales, raw copies trade from $2.37 to $21 depending on the print and a PSA 10 runs from $72 to $364. The 1st Edition print is the most valuable, with a PSA 10 near $364. The table on this page breaks the price down by print and grade, updated 2026-05-25.

Print variants and how to spot them

Base Set produced three print waves that collectors track separately: 1st Edition (the launch print, with an Edition 1 stamp under the artwork), Shadowless (no stamp and no drop shadow on the right of the frame), and Unlimited (the long-running print with the drop shadow restored). On Magnemite, the price gap between these prints can run 10x or more, so confirm the variant before any purchase.

Grading and condition

Magnemite is the most forgiving tier to grade in the set. Centering on the framed border is the usual cap, and the soft Wizards-era cardstock picks up edge whitening easily, but high print runs keep clean copies affordable.

If you are collecting Magnemite

Raw copies of Magnemite are inexpensive enough that grading rarely pays unless you have a clearly pack-fresh example. For set completion, a clean sleeved Magnemite is the practical move.

Variants to know

Three prints, three markets.

1st Edition

Edition 1 stamp under the artwork. The scarcest and most valuable Magnemite print.

Shadowless

No stamp and no drop shadow on the right of the frame. A short transitional print.

Unlimited

Drop shadow restored. The long-running print and the most affordable copy.

Common questions

Magnemite FAQ.

How much is Magnemite worth?
Based on recent eBay sales, raw copies trade from $2.37 to $21 depending on the print and a PSA 10 runs from $72 to $364. The 1st Edition print is the most valuable, with a PSA 10 near $364. The table on this page breaks the price down by print and grade, updated 2026-05-25.
Is Magnemite rare?
Magnemite is a Common, so raw copies are common and inexpensive. The scarcity is entirely in top-grade, especially 1st Edition, examples.
How can I tell if my Magnemite is 1st Edition?
Look for a small Edition 1 stamp inside a circle, just below the lower left of the artwork. If it is there, your Magnemite is 1st Edition and worth a premium. If it is absent, check the right edge of the frame: no drop shadow means Shadowless, a drop shadow means Unlimited.
What set is Magnemite from?
Magnemite is card 53 of 102 in Base Set, released in January 1999. It is a Wizards of the Coast era card, the most collectible period of the hobby.