Ampharos · Neo Genesis, what to know.
About the Ampharos card
Ampharos is card 1 of 111 in Neo Genesis, released in December 2000, a Rare Holo. It is a Stage 2 Lightning-type with 80 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 Ken Sugimori. Sugimori is the lead character designer of Pokémon itself, so his card art carries the tight, on-model look that defined how the creatures appear in the games.
The Pokédex entry printed on Ampharos reads: "The tail's tip shines brightly and can be seen from far away. It acts as a beacon for lost people."
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 Neo Genesis'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, Neo Genesis holos range from the mid hundreds for the lesser cards up to Lugia at the top; 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
Neo Genesis produced 1st Edition, Unlimited prints. For Ampharos, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
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
If you are buying Ampharos, work in order: confirm the print variant first, then the grade, then price against recent sales for that exact variant and grade. For a raw Ampharos above a few hundred dollars, insist on angled-light photos of the holo so you can spot hairlines.
