A 1996 Japanese Base Set Venusaur Holo graded PSA 9 MINT, and this copy carries a holo swirl, the circular shimmer pattern in the holo field that a segment of the collector market actively hunts.

Card Name: Venusaur (フシギバナ) Set: Pokemon Game Japanese Base Set Year: 1996 Card Number: No.003Language: Japanese Finish: Holo Grade: PSA 9 MINT Grading Company: PSA / Professional Sports AuthenticatorIllustrator: Mitsuhiro Arita (有田満弘) Notable Variant: Holo Swirl Condition Notes: Holo surface clean and vivid. Swirl clearly visible in the holo field.

The 1996 Japanese Base Set is the origin point of the Pokemon TCG, printed before the international rollout by Wizards of the Coast began. Venusaur sits at No.003, the final evolution of the Bulbasaur line and one of the three iconic starter holos from this set alongside Charizard and Blastoise. Japanese Base Set copies grade harder than their English counterparts due to age and handling history, and a PSA 9 represents a strong result for a card nearly 30 years old.

The swirl variant adds a second layer of collector interest. Holo swirls appear in certain print runs where the holo foil pattern resolves into a visible circular motion rather than the standard starfield or speckled finish. These are not misprints but genuine print variations, and dedicated swirl collectors actively seek them out across Base Set holos. A PSA 9 with a confirmed swirl on Venusaur, one of the three cornerstone cards of the entire TCG, is a notable intersection. PSA 10 gem mint copies of the Japanese Base Set Venusaur Holo are genuinely rare across the graded population, making any high-grade copy a meaningful result.

Authenticity verifiable at psacard.com.

International buyers: import duties, VAT, and customs fees are the buyer's responsibility. The declared value will reflect the actual sale price.

Shipped in a rigid slab mailer with full foam protection. Fully tracked and insured, ships from Italy. Signature confirmation on delivery. Handling time 2 to 3 business days.

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