Ampharos · Expedition Base Set, what to know.
About the Ampharos card
Ampharos is card 2 of 165 in Expedition Base Set, released in September 2002, a Rare Holo. It is a Stage 2 Lightning-type with 100 HP.
As a Stage 2, it evolves from Flaaffy, which places Ampharos deeper in its line and means most collectors hold it alongside the cards it evolves from.
Illustrated by Atsuko Nishida. Nishida is the original designer of Pikachu and many Gen 1 Pokémon, and her card work has a soft, rounded warmth that suits the friendlier creatures.
About Ampharos in the Pokémon world
A large yellow electric sheep-Pokémon. One of the most-loved Generation 2 designs. Neo Genesis holo Ampharos is a quiet collector favorite. Steady graded demand.
What is Ampharos worth?
Ampharos is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Expedition Base Set's value. The print variant decides most of it: a 1st Edition copy in high grade commands a large premium over a Shadowless or Unlimited one. In top-grade 1st Edition, Expedition Base Set holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to the set's marquee chase; raw and Unlimited copies trade for a fraction of that. The live market price above shows the current figure by grade.
Print variants and how to spot them
Confirm the print and finish on Ampharos before pricing it, since variant and rarity set the market more than the card name alone.
Grading and condition
Grading Ampharos comes down to the holo surface and the borders. The era's foil scratches easily, so even a pack-fresh Ampharos can drop from a 10 to a 9 on a single hairline. Inspect the window at an angle and the corners against the frame.
If you are collecting Ampharos
Buying Ampharos well means pricing the exact print and grade, not the card name. The 1st Edition Ampharos trades above the Unlimited copy, so confirm the stamp before you agree a number. Always see the holo surface in good light first.
