Zubat · Fossil, what to know.
About the Zubat card
Numbered 57 of 62 in Fossil, released in October 1999, Zubat is a Common, a Basic Grass-type carrying 40 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Zubat 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.
Printed on the card, the Zubat Pokédex entry reads: "Forms colonies in perpetually dark places. Uses ultrasonic waves to identify and approach targets."
About Zubat in the Pokémon world
The bat Pokémon. Famously over-encountered in cave areas of the games. Common card across multiple early sets. Familiar punchline for veteran players.
What is Zubat worth?
Zubat 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
Fossil shipped in 1st Edition and Unlimited, with no Shadowless print. The Edition 1 stamp under the artwork separates the scarcer 1st Edition Zubat from the Unlimited copy.
Grading and condition
Zubat 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 Zubat
Raw copies of Zubat are inexpensive enough that grading rarely pays unless you have a clearly pack-fresh example. For set completion, a clean sleeved Zubat is the practical move.
Three prints, three markets.
Edition 1 stamp under the artwork. Trades above Unlimited in matching grade.
No stamp. The standard, more affordable print.
