Chansey · Base Set 2, what to know.
About the Chansey card
Chansey is card 3 of 130 in Base Set 2, released in February 2000, a Rare Holo. It is a Basic Colorless-type with 120 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Chansey needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
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 Chansey reads: "A rare and elusive Pokémon that is said to bring happiness to those who manage to catch it."
About Chansey in the Pokémon world
A pink egg-carrying Pokémon. Notably the trainer in the Pokémon Centers in the games. High HP, low offensive stats. Base Set holo Chansey is one of the original 16 holos. Considered one of the harder Base holos to find well-centered. PSA 10 1st Edition Chansey commands a meaningful premium per population reports.
What is Chansey worth?
Chansey is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Base Set 2'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, Base Set 2 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
Base Set 2 produced Unlimited prints. For Chansey, the print variant can change the price several times over, so identify it before you buy.
Grading and condition
Expect the holo window to set the grade on Chansey. Print misregistration and fine scratches in the colorless foil are the usual reasons a copy lands at a 9, and edge whitening against the frame is the next thing a grader notes.
If you are collecting Chansey
If you are buying Chansey, 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 Chansey above a few hundred dollars, insist on angled-light photos of the holo so you can spot hairlines.
