Market outlook
Stable Outlook 7/10
Current trackers show raw prices well below launch highs, while graded premium copies remain strong, suggesting a mature market rather than a rapidly appreciating one.[3][7][11]
Next months. Likely to trade in a relatively narrow range with modest volatility, especially in raw near-mint copies.
Long term. Over 1-3 years, the card should remain a highly liquid modern chase with gradual support in graded 10 and clean raw copies, but broad reprint-era supply should limit dramatic upside unless broader Charizard demand surges.
History
Charizard is one of the most iconic Pokémon from the original 1996 era and is the fully evolved form of Charmander, first introduced in the Kanto region games. In the Trading Card Game, Charizard cards have long been among the most chased and collectible cards in each generation, and modern Charizard variants are often treated as flagship chase cards for a set.[3][8]
This Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare was first released in English in Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames on August 11, 2023.[2][8]
- It is the Special Illustration Rare Charizard ex from Obsidian Flames, card number 223/197, and is widely treated as the set’s top chase card.[2][3][8]
- Price tracking sources show wide value differences by condition and grade, with raw values commonly around the low-to-mid $100s and graded 10 values around the high $700s.[1][4][9]
- The card’s artwork is the premium full-art, textured-style chase version rather than the lower-rarity playable Charizard ex from the same set.[8][13]
Collector notes
Condition. Check centering, corner wear, edge whitening, surface scratching on the foil/textured finish, and print lines or factory debris. Premium Charizard chase cards often suffer from visible front-surface scratches and minor edge chipping that can materially affect grade.[1][2][8]
Storage. Store in a penny sleeve inside a semi-rigid holder or top loader, keep it away from humidity and direct light, and avoid repeated handling because textured full-art foils scratch easily. For high-value copies, use fresh sleeves, rigid storage, and graded encapsulation if submitting for grading or long-term preservation.
Authenticity. Verify the correct set symbol, card number 223/197, and textured full-art treatment; fake cards often show flat or wrong texture, washed-out color, incorrect font weight, and poor edge cutting. Compare the holofoil sheen and print alignment against known authentic copies, and be cautious with unusually cheap raw copies or listings missing sharp close-up photos.[2][8][9]
