Heracross · Neo Genesis, what to know.
About the Heracross card
Heracross is card 6 of 111 in Neo Genesis, released in December 2000, a Rare Holo. It is a Basic Grass-type with 60 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Heracross 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 card's flavor text gives Heracross a line of lore: "This powerful Pokémon thrusts its prized horn under its enemies' bellies, then lifts and throws them."
About Heracross in the Pokémon world
A Bug-Fighting beetle with a large horn. Steady collector demand.
What is Heracross worth?
Heracross 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 Heracross, 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 Heracross. Print misregistration and fine scratches in the grass 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 Heracross
Buying Heracross well means pricing the exact print and grade, not the card name. The 1st Edition Heracross trades above the Unlimited copy, so confirm the stamp before you agree a number. Always see the holo surface in good light first.
