Ninetales

Numbered 13 of 130 in Base Set 2, released in February 2000, Ninetales is a Rare Holo, a Stage 1 Fire-type carrying 80 HP.

It evolves from Vulpix, so Ninetales is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.

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 Ninetales Pokédex entry reads: "Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1,000-year curse."

The fully evolved Vulpix. Nine tails, mystical Japanese kitsune influence in the design. Base Set holo Ninetales is one of the more aesthetically beloved holos in the set and a steady performer in graded prices.

Ninetales 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.

Base Set 2 produced Unlimited prints. For Ninetales, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.

On a holo like Ninetales, surface is the grade cap. The fire 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.

For Ninetales, variant comes before condition. A 1st Edition and an Unlimited Ninetales are different markets for the same art, so settle the print before you negotiate. Demand a clear photo of the Ninetales holo for any raw purchase.