Dragonite · Expedition Base Set, what to know.
About the Dragonite card
Numbered 9 of 165 in Expedition Base Set, released in September 2002, Dragonite is a Rare Holo, a Stage 2 Colorless-type carrying 100 HP.
It evolves from Dragonair, so Dragonite is a later-stage card that set-builders usually slot into a full evolution run rather than buy alone.
Illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno. Himeno is one of the most-recognized vintage illustrators, with a softer, more textured style that shows up across the Jungle and Neo runs.
About Dragonite in the Pokémon world
The fully evolved Dratini line. Friendly orange dragon silhouette. One of the most-beloved Pokémon designs. Fossil holo Dragonite is the marquee chase of the entire Fossil set. PSA 10 1st Edition examples are genuinely scarce and command top of the Fossil price chart.
What is Dragonite worth?
Dragonite 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 Dragonite before pricing it, since variant and rarity set the market more than the card name alone.
Grading and condition
Expect the holo window to set the grade on Dragonite. 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 Dragonite
When you go to buy Dragonite, settle three things in order: the print variant, the condition, and a comp for that exact combination. A blended average across variants will mislead you on Dragonite, so price the specific copy in front of you.
