Charizard ex SAR Obsidian Flames: Price and Value EN vs FR

The Charizard ex Obsidian Flames SAR price is one of the most frequently asked questions in the TCG community since the set launched in 2023. Card 223/197 from the Scarlet & Violet - Obsidian Flames expansion quickly established itself as the centerpiece of the set, and its English version consistently sells above its French equivalent. Whether you collect cards in EN or you simply want to understand why that price gap exists, this article covers everything you need to know: set context, a precise description of the card, a dated current value, and the concrete reasons behind its premium.

The Scarlet & Violet - Obsidian Flames Expansion: Context

Scarlet & Violet - Obsidian Flames released in August 2023 in English, with the French version (Flammes Obsidiennes) available at the same time. Simultaneous FR and EN releases have become the standard since the Scarlet & Violet series launched. That synchronization changed the collecting dynamic: both versions hit the market at the same moment, but they do not target quite the same buyers.

The expansion stands out with a strong visual identity built around Fire, Darkness, and Dragon types, featuring ex Pokemon, Paradox Pokemon, and a particularly strong lineup of Special Illustration Rares. Obsidian Flames contains 197 numbered cards in the base set, with special cards numbered beyond that total, including several highly sought-after SIRs.

The Charizard ex 223/197 was immediately identified by collectors and specialist sites as the most valuable card in the set, a status it has held since release.

The Card in Detail

Number: 223/197 (outside standard numbering, a hallmark of special rarities)

Official rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR) - sometimes abbreviated SAR in the community, but the official term remains SIR

Artist: AKIRA EGAWA

Expansion: Scarlet & Violet - Obsidian Flames

AKIRA EGAWA's illustration is what makes this card so compelling. Unlike classic illustrations that frame the Pokemon against a neutral background, this SIR uses a full-card format with dramatic staging: Charizard ex appears wrapped in dark flames, rendered in a palette of blacks and oranges that fits the set's name perfectly. The light treatment, the scale detail, and the Pokemon's aggressive posture make it one of the most accomplished illustrations of the Scarlet & Violet generation.

This card is a Fire type with 330 HP, the standard figures for ex cards in the series. In competitive play, the standard Charizard ex saw some time in certain lists, but what drives the value of the 223/197 is exclusively its status as a collector's card.

Value Analysis and Current Prices

On the French and European market, data from June-July 2026 gives the following range for the ungraded English version:

Version	Price Range	Average Sell Price	Trend
Charizard ex SIR 223/197 EN	85 - 110 EUR	~95 EUR	~99 EUR

CardMarket data, dated June-July 2026.

The French version (Flammes Obsidiennes) of the same card generally sits 10 to 20% below these figures on the same platforms. The gap varies depending on the period and available stock, but it is structural - this is not a one-off anomaly.

To track this value in real time, you can use PokéItem, which aggregates sales data and gives you a cross-referenced multi-source view.

The Factors Behind the Premium

Charizard's popularity: This is the number one factor. Charizard has remained the most in-demand Pokemon on the secondary market for years. Any quality alternate version finds a buyer quickly, and the Obsidian Flames SIR combines that popularity with an exceptional illustration.

Effective rarity: SIRs are printed in very limited quantities compared to ordinary cards in the set. In an Obsidian Flames booster, the odds of pulling this specific card are very low. That pull rarity mechanically supports the price.

Larger English-speaking market: The EN version is bought all over the world - Europe, North America, Australia, Asia. Global demand for this version is structurally higher than for the FR version, which largely explains the price differential. The French version remains limited to French-speaking collectors.

Print status: Obsidian Flames is no longer actively printed, which means the stock available on the secondary market is what already exists. Cards are no longer diluted by new production runs, which stabilizes and then tends to push prices upward as collectors hold onto their copies.

Competitive play: The SIR 223/197 is not played in tournaments because of its rarity - standard copies are used for that. But the fact that Charizard ex is a recognized Pokemon in the Scarlet & Violet competitive environment strengthens its appeal to a mixed audience of players and collectors.

Nostalgia: Charizard has been inseparable from the history of the Pokemon TCG since the Base Set in 1999. Every new quality version captures nostalgic demand that goes well beyond collectors who started with the current generation.

Should You Buy This Card?

Arguments for:

• The value is stable and trending upward over the long term. At a trend of 99 EUR in June-July 2026, the card sits in a reasonable range for an SIR of this quality from a closed set.
• A Charizard SIR from a closed, non-reprinted expansion is a card profile that historically does not structurally decline in value.
• For a collector who wants a visually striking and recognizable piece, this is probably the best card in the set.

Points to keep in mind:

• Between 85 and 110 EUR, the price gap depending on condition and seller is significant. Always check photos and edge condition before any purchase.
• If your budget is tight, the French version offers the same illustration quality at a lower price. The EN/FR difference is purely demand-driven, not a reflection of any intrinsic difference in the card itself.
• The market for SIR cards from the Scarlet & Violet series is still consolidating. This is not a short-term investment.

Practical tip: If you are targeting the English version, watch recent sales and compare the listed price against the current trend (trend ~99 EUR). Buying below trend on a copy in good condition is a solid move. Avoid prices that seem too low, as they can hide poor condition.

Conclusion

The Charizard ex 223/197 Special Illustration Rare from Obsidian Flames is a card that earns its status as the centerpiece of the set. AKIRA EGAWA's illustration, the effective pull rarity, and Charizard's structural popularity all justify the 85-110 EUR range observed on the market in June-July 2026. The gap with the French version comes down to worldwide demand for the EN version that the French-speaking market simply cannot match.

Whether you are looking to buy or you already own this card, track its value daily on PokéItem or download the app on your phone to receive price alerts straight from your pocket.