The card
Scyther is card 10 of 64 in Jungle, illustrated by Ken Sugimori. It was unusually competitive at release, a 70 HP basic with a low-cost Slash attack, which means a high share of the print run saw real play. The artwork has aged well and is one of the most-requested in the Wizards era, which keeps demand firm across grades.
Why high grades are scarce
Because Scyther was played so heavily, a large share of the print run was damaged, so PSA 10 1st Edition copies are among the harder Jungle tens to acquire. Scyther holos also see a high rate of surface play wear, so for raw purchases prioritize a clean holo surface over strong edges, since surface is the harder grade to recover. The card is also a frequent target of fakes, particularly the No Symbol version.
The No Symbol Scyther
The No Symbol Scyther, from the first print run with the missing set symbol, commands a stiff premium in high grade and is one of the most sought-after error cards in Jungle. It is also one of the most-counterfeited, so verify the holo pattern and the empty corner carefully on any unsleeved listing photo, and prefer a graded copy that labels the error for any premium purchase.
Buying a Scyther
Confirm the print and run the No Symbol check, then inspect the holo at an angle for play wear. Given how hard the card was played, expect to look at many copies before finding a real PSA 10 candidate. For the No Symbol version specifically, the counterfeit risk makes a graded copy the safer buy, even at a premium over a comparable raw card.
Common questions
- How much is a Jungle Scyther worth?
- A 1st Edition PSA 10 is one of the harder Jungle tens to find and trades in the four figures, with the No Symbol version commanding a stiff premium on top. Unlimited copies are far more affordable.
- Why is Jungle Scyther hard to find in high grade?
- Scyther was a tournament staple, so a high share of the print run was played and damaged. Surface play wear is the usual reason a copy drops below a 10, which makes clean examples scarce.
- Is the No Symbol Scyther valuable?
- Yes. It is one of the most sought-after Jungle error cards and commands a stiff premium in high grade. It is also frequently counterfeited, so a graded copy is the safer buy.