Steelix · Neo Genesis, what to know.
About the Steelix card
Steelix is card 15 of 111 in Neo Genesis, released in December 2000, a Rare Holo. It is a Stage 1 Metal-type with 110 HP.
As a Stage 1, it evolves from Onix, which places Steelix deeper in its line and means most collectors hold it alongside the cards it evolves from.
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.
The card's flavor text gives Steelix a line of lore: "Its body has been compressed deep under the ground. As a result, it is even harder than a diamond."
About Steelix in the Pokémon world
The Steel evolution of Onix when traded with Metal Coat. Massive metal serpent. Neo Genesis holo Steelix is the marquee Steel-type holo of the Neo era.
What is Steelix worth?
Steelix is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Neo Genesis'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, Neo Genesis holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to Lugia at the top; 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
Neo Genesis produced 1st Edition, Unlimited prints. For Steelix, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Grading Steelix comes down to the holo surface and the borders. The era's foil scratches easily, so even a pack-fresh Steelix 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 Steelix
Buying Steelix well means pricing the exact print and grade, not the card name. The 1st Edition Steelix trades above the Unlimited copy, so confirm the stamp before you agree a number. Always see the holo surface in good light first.
