Sunkern · Neo Genesis, what to know.
About the Sunkern card
Numbered 78 of 111 in Neo Genesis, released in December 2000, Sunkern is a Common, a Basic Grass-type carrying 40 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Sunkern needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
Illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno. Himeno is one of the most-recognized vintage illustrators, with a softer, more textured style that shows up across the Jungle and Neo runs.
Sunkern carries this Pokédex flavor text: "It may drop out of the sky suddenly. If attacked by a Spearow, it violently shakes its leaves."
What is Sunkern worth?
Sunkern is a Common, so raw copies trade for very little and most of the print run survives. The only real value is in pristine, high-grade copies, where even a Common can reach low triple digits in 1st Edition PSA 10. See the live price above for the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Neo Genesis produced 1st Edition, Unlimited prints. For Sunkern, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Sunkern 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 Sunkern
Raw copies of Sunkern are inexpensive enough that grading rarely pays unless you have a clearly pack-fresh example. For set completion, a clean sleeved Sunkern is the practical move.
