Price discrepancy- PSA 10 1st Editon Base Starters

[spinch]

So I stumbled across this as I was casually looking at the starters from the base set. So I saw the squirtle was selling on eBay for around 90ish and then noticed that the original 3 starters together was going for 500. I checked up charmander and it too was going for 90. Then I looked up Bulbasaur which was 3X that price at around 270!! Can anyone explain this phenomenon?
(I’m glad a picked squirtle 20 years ago).

[pfm]

I think this is explained by the population

www.psacard.com/pop/non-sport-cards/1999/pokemon-game/57801/

What explains the pop discrepancy? No idea…

[smpratte]

The difference is mostly due to the POP. Bulbasaur has half the POP of squirtle or charmander. Buying all three together probably ads a bit of a premium as well.

I would add that prices on these move a bit due to availability. Charmander and Squirtle have been higher.

[cullers]

I don’t know for sure, but card printing companies would put smaller print numbers on some cards with the same rarity. If you take a look at Caterpie and Bulbasaur those two are by far the hardest for me to come by in the commons. Pokeflute, is the only one I can think of for uncommon. Rares, I have the opposite effect with Pokemon trader and breeder being overly abundant. I think we all know about machamp fits the overly abundant mold as well.

[spinch]

Ahh thanks for that info. I actually was under the belief that all commons, uncommons and rares would be printed in the same number. I understand the POP report can fluctuate but didn’t realise actual printing numbers could be different. It will be interesting to see if these 3 even out at some point.

[1by1collector]

@cullers

I don’t know for sure, but card printing companies would put smaller print numbers on some cards with the same rarity. If you take a look at Caterpie and Bulbasaur those two are by far the hardest for me to come by in the commons. Pokeflute, is the only one I can think of for uncommon. Rares, I have the opposite effect with Pokemon trader and breeder being overly abundant. I think we all know about machamp fits the overly abundant mold as well.

I remember reading this on abother thread. Beedrill was one of the rares with supposedley less printing. Do you know if this anamoly applies to other print runs of hase set or only 1st ed?

[cullers]

@1by1collector

@cullers

I don’t know for sure, but card printing companies would put smaller print numbers on some cards with the same rarity. If you take a look at Caterpie and Bulbasaur those two are by far the hardest for me to come by in the commons. Pokeflute, is the only one I can think of for uncommon. Rares, I have the opposite effect with Pokemon trader and breeder being overly abundant. I think we all know about machamp fits the overly abundant mold as well.

I remember reading this on abother thread. Beedrill was one of the rares with supposedley less printing. Do you know if this anamoly applies to other print runs of hase set or only 1st ed?

Yes, Beedrill is def one of them that I forgot about. I’m sure there’s more I forgot as I’m just going off the top of my head. I haven’t really paid attention beyond Base set 1st edition. I’m sure there is discrepancy throughout most of the set though, including other sets. I could probably check the pull rate numbers I have from the limited booster boxes I’ve opened, but I’m sure someone else would have far more info on that then I.