Articuno · Skyridge, what to know.
About the Articuno card
Numbered H3 of 182 in Skyridge, released in May 2003, Articuno is a Rare Holo, a Basic Water-type carrying 80 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Articuno needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
Illustrated by Hajime Kusajima.
About Articuno in the Pokémon world
A Legendary Ice-Flying bird. One of the three Legendary birds of Kanto. Fossil holo Articuno is a marquee Fossil holo. Strong collector demand thanks to Legendary status.
What is Articuno worth?
Articuno is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Skyridge'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, Skyridge 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 Articuno before pricing it, since variant and rarity set the market more than the card name alone.
Grading and condition
On a holo like Articuno, surface is the grade cap. The water foil shows hairlines under raking light, and the print reveals scratches that flat scans miss. Centering on the left and right borders is the second thing to check.
If you are collecting Articuno
For Articuno, variant comes before condition. A 1st Edition and an Unlimited Articuno are different markets for the same art, so settle the print before you negotiate. Demand a clear photo of the Articuno holo for any raw purchase.
