Azumarill · Neo Genesis, what to know.
About the Azumarill card
Numbered 2 of 111 in Neo Genesis, released in December 2000, Azumarill is a Rare Holo, a Stage 1 Water-type carrying 70 HP.
It evolves from Marill, so Azumarill is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
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.
Printed on the card, the Azumarill Pokédex entry reads: "By keeping still and listening intently, it can tell what is in even wild, fast-moving rivers."
What is Azumarill worth?
Azumarill 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 Azumarill, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Grading Azumarill comes down to the holo surface and the borders. The era's foil scratches easily, so even a pack-fresh Azumarill 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 Azumarill
For Azumarill, variant comes before condition. A 1st Edition and an Unlimited Azumarill are different markets for the same art, so settle the print before you negotiate. Demand a clear photo of the Azumarill holo for any raw purchase.
