1st Edition
How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.
First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.
01Card Stats
Stage 1 (evolves from Pikachu)
HP
80
TypeLightning
RarityRare Holo
IllustratorAtsuko Nishida
WeaknessFighting ×2
Retreat●
SetExpedition Base Set
Released2002
02Editions and Print Runs
Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition and Unlimited distinctions still applied.
Unlimited
How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp; standard print frame.
Most common version of this card.
04Variants and Foiling
- Rarity tiers
- Rare Holo
- Foiling
- Holo version with the holo pattern applied to the artwork. Reverse-holo parallel exists with the holo pattern applied to the background.
- 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
~$199.99 raw
Raw copies run $220.00 to $399.00
No graded (PSA) sales in our index yet - check recent eBay sold prices below for the grading upside.
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07Why Collectors Want It
- An e-Card-era holo from the 2002 Expedition Base Set — barcode-scanner mechanics killed sealed sales and thinned graded supply a generation later.
- Holo raw ~$142 vs. PSA 10 ~$2,550 — a ~18× grading multiple; the reverse-holo variant trades around $54 raw.
- Expedition holos are some of the most fragile WotC-era foil prints in the entire dex, so gem-mint copies require legitimately clean pulls.
- A vintage Pikachu-line cornerstone and a meaningful sub-$150 entry to a four-figure PSA 10 chase.
08Competitive Playability
Tier: None
Stage 1 Raichu with 80 HP; top attack around 60 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.
09Card Moves and Abilities
Plasma
If there are any Lightning Energy cards in your discard pile, flip a coin. If heads, attach 1 of them to Raichu.
Shock Bolt
Discard all Lightning Energy cards attached to Raichu or this attack does nothing.
- Weakness
- Fighting ×2
- Retreat cost
- 1
10Grading and Population
PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Raichu 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.