PokedexCaterpie › Card 45/102

Caterpie

Card 45/102

Caterpie from Base Set (1999) — the original WotC-era print of one of the most recognizable Bug-types in the franchise, sitting in the very first Pokémon TCG set ever released.

Base SetSet
1999Released
CommonRarity
Ken SugimoriIllustrator

01Card Stats

Basic
HP 40
TypeGrass
RarityCommon
IllustratorKen Sugimori
WeaknessFire ×2
Retreat
SetBase Set
Released1999

02Editions and Print Runs

Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition, Shadowless, and Unlimited distinctions still applied.

1st Edition

How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.

First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.

Shadowless

How to spot it: No drop shadow on the right and bottom of the artwork box; thinner, lighter frame.

Early Unlimited sub-print between 1st Edition and Unlimited; scarcer than standard Unlimited.

Unlimited

How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp; standard print frame.

Most common version of this card.

04Variants and Foiling

Rarity tiers
Common
Foiling
Non-holo standard finish.
Alt art / specials
No full-art, secret rare, or alternate-art version documented for this print.

05Language and Regional Versions

English
Standard English release.
Japanese
Released in the equivalent Japanese set.
European
Localized European prints exist with translated text.
Other
No documented language-exclusive errors or major regional variants.

06Current Market Value

Market value
~$1.13 raw
Raw copies run $0.24 to $0.83
No graded (PSA) sales in our index yet - check recent eBay sold prices below for the grading upside.
↗ See PSA 10 sold prices on eBay

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07Why Collectors Want It

  • Released in 1999's Base Set — the first Pokémon TCG set ever printed and the WotC era's launching pad.
  • The 1st Edition variant is the headline-chase parallel; the base Unlimited print remains widely available and historically significant.
  • Raw asking sits around $1 for Unlimited; 1st Edition copies and Shadowless variants trade well above and grade into four figures.
  • A foundational pickup for any Butterfree-line collection or WotC-era Kanto run.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Basic Caterpie with 40 HP; top attack around 10 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

String Shot Cost: Grass · 10 damage

Flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed.

Weakness
Fire ×2
Retreat cost
1

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Caterpie PSA 10 populations vary; small numbers across most sets.

Graded copies command notable premiums over raw, especially for 1st Edition prints.

Other graders: BGS and CGC also grade vintage Pokemon; PSA dominates secondary-market liquidity.

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