Ninetales · Aquapolis, what to know.
About the Ninetales card
Numbered H19 of 182 in Aquapolis, released in January 2003, Ninetales is a Rare Holo, a Stage 1 Fire-type carrying 80 HP.
It evolves from Vulpix, so Ninetales 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 Ninetales in the Pokémon world
The fully evolved Vulpix. Nine tails, mystical Japanese kitsune influence in the design. Base Set holo Ninetales is one of the more aesthetically beloved holos in the set and a steady performer in graded prices.
What is Ninetales worth?
Ninetales 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 Ninetales before pricing it, since variant and rarity set the market more than the card name alone.
Grading and condition
For graded buyers, the holo window on Ninetales is where most points are won or lost. Surface scratches and foil misregistration are common on Wizards-era cards, and centering was inconsistent enough that clean PSA 10s stay scarce. Read the fire foil at a 45-degree angle under strong light before committing.
If you are collecting Ninetales
When you go to buy Ninetales, 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 Ninetales, so price the specific copy in front of you.
