As collectors get priced out of the top-tier SIRs, money is flowing aggressively into Illustration Rares and mid-tier SIRs. The gap between where this set sat in late 2025 and where it stands today is significant across almost the entire set. All prices below are for English, raw Near Mint copies unless stated otherwise.
The Big Three SIRs
The three Kanto starter SIRs are in a sustained repricing event tied to the Pokémon 30th Anniversary cycle. Per The Hobby Bin (27 February 2026), Charizard ex SIR #199 is listed at $337, Blastoise ex SIR #200 at $136, and Venusaur ex SIR #198 at $102. All three have seen substantial upward movement over the past month—Blastoise in particular has been the sharpest mover, up sharply from where it sat in late 2025.
The spread between tracker sites is wide on all three, which reflects how quickly these cards are repricing. Always cross-reference with recent sold listings directly before transacting.
Prices are moving fast: The 151 market is repricing quickly enough that figures can shift week to week. The Hobby Bin data below is from 27 February 2026. Always cross-reference against recent sold listings on TCGPlayer or eBay before transacting.
Zapdos & the SIR Sleepers
Zapdos ex SIR #202 is the standout mover among the non-starter SIRs. The Hobby Bin lists it at $84.98 as of 27 February—up significantly from where it was sitting in late 2025. It is the only Legendary Bird to receive SIR treatment in this set, and it still looks undervalued relative to that prestige.
Alakazam ex SIR #201 is worth keeping on the radar at $60.76, quietly rising alongside the rest of the SIR subset.
Starter Illustration Rares
Collectors who can’t commit to a $300+ Charizard SIR are funnelling money into the pre-evolution Illustration Rares, and prices are responding. Per The Hobby Bin (27 Feb), Charmander IR #168 is at $85.51, Squirtle IR #170 at $81.23, and Bulbasaur IR #166 at $59.04. The mid-tier evolutions are also moving: Charmeleon IR #169 is at $52.98 and Wartortle IR #171 at $50.77.
Trainer Cards & the English vs. Japanese Split
This is where the most confusion exists in the market, and it’s worth being direct about it. The “waifu premium” and Mew premiums that circulate in collector communities are overwhelmingly driven by Japanese 151 (sv2a), not English.
Erika’s Invitation SIR #203 in English carries a TCGPlayer market value of approximately $14.70. The Japanese version (SAR #206 in sv2a) sits at around $30.66 per Hobby Bin’s Japanese guide. Mew ex #205 in English is the gold Hyper Rare, valued at approximately $16 on TCGPlayer. The Japanese Mew ex SAR (#205 in sv2a) is a fundamentally different card trading at $132.11 (Hobby Bin, Feb 18). These should not be conflated when researching prices.
English vs. Japanese numbering: The Japanese 151 set (sv2a) uses different card numbers and rarity names (SAR vs. SIR, AR vs. IR). English #205 is the gold Hyper Rare Mew. Japanese #205 is the Special Art Rare Mew—a different card entirely. Always confirm language and card number before transacting.
Full Market Snapshot
All English, raw NM. Prices from The Hobby Bin English price guide (updated 27 February 2026). Erika and Mew figures from TCGPlayer market data.
| Card | # | Price (Feb 27) | Trend | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charizard ex SIR | #199 | $337 | ↑ Rising | 🔥 Watch |
| Blastoise ex SIR | #200 | $136 | ↑ Fast-moving | 🔥 Fast |
| Venusaur ex SIR | #198 | $102 | ↑ Rising | ↑ Buy |
| Zapdos ex SIR | #202 | $85 | ↑ Strong mover | 🧠 Smart Buy |
| Charmander IR | #168 | $86 | ↑ Rising | 🚨 Near $100 |
| Squirtle IR | #170 | $81 | ↑ Rising | ↑ Buy |
| Alakazam ex SIR | #201 | $61 | ↑ Rising | 👀 Watch |
| Bulbasaur IR | #166 | $59 | ↑ Rising | ↑ Value |
| Charmeleon IR | #169 | $53 | ↑ Rising | 👀 Watch |
| Wartortle IR | #171 | $51 | ↑ Rising | 👀 Watch |
| Erika’s Invitation SIR | #203 | ~$15 | Flat | EN only |
| Mew ex Hyper Rare | #205 | ~$16 | Flat | EN only |
Source: The Hobby Bin English 151 Price Guide (Feb 27, 2026) · TCGPlayer market data via ScreenRant.
The Verdict
At ~$86 with Charizard SIR at $337+, the pair narrative is driving real demand. A $100 breakout looks probable and would pull Squirtle and Bulbasaur up behind it.
The only Legendary Bird SIR in the set, sitting at ~$85 per The Hobby Bin (Feb 27). Still looks undervalued relative to its prestige — the most compelling entry point left in the SIR subset.
ETBs have moved from ~$350 to $440+; the Pokémon Center version is approaching $900. Sealed 151 product is appreciating faster than most singles. Don’t rip if you can hold.
Disclaimer: All prices are sourced from The Hobby Bin and TCGPlayer market data and reflect the state of the market in late February 2026. The Pokémon TCG market is speculative and fast-moving. Always verify against live sold listings before transacting. Bill’s Archive is not a financial adviser.