Lugia · Aquapolis, what to know.
About the Lugia card
Lugia is card 149 of 182 in Aquapolis, released in January 2003, a Rare Secret. It is a Basic Colorless-type with 80 HP.
As a Basic Pokémon, Lugia needs no prior evolution to put into play, which made it a practical card in the era's decks.
Illustrated by Naoyo Kimura.
About Lugia in the Pokémon world
A Psychic-Flying Legendary. The cover Pokémon of Pokémon Silver. Massive winged serpent silhouette. Neo Genesis holo Lugia is the marquee chase of the entire Neo era. 1st Edition PSA 10 Lugia commands prices comparable to top Base Set holos. Silver Tempest Lugia VSTAR is the modern equivalent and a tournament staple.
What is Lugia worth?
Lugia is a holo rare, one of the cards that holds Aquapolis'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, Aquapolis 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 Lugia 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 Lugia. 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 Lugia
Buying Lugia well means pricing the exact print and grade, not the card name. The 1st Edition Lugia trades above the Unlimited copy, so confirm the stamp before you agree a number. Always see the holo surface in good light first.
