Venusaur ex Illustration Rare Pokémon 151: Prices and Value

Among the most coveted cards of the Pokémon 151 set, the Venusaur ex 151 price is a question that comes up often among collectors. The 198/165, classified as a Special Illustration Rare, is the most premium version of the Kanto Grass starter in this set, and it amply deserves it. Illustrated by artist Yoriyuki Ikegami, it is part of a trio of Kanto starters treated as SIRs alongside Squirtle ex and Charmander ex, which gives it a special place in the collection ecosystem. If you're looking to assess its potential or simply to know what it's worth today, this article gives you all the concrete details.

The Scarlet & Violet - 151 set: context

Released in October 2023 in France (Scarlet & Violet - 151 in English, Pokémon Card 151 in Japanese under the reference SV2a), this set is a direct tribute to the original 151 first-generation Pokémon. The concept is simple but formidably effective: offer an ex card for each Pokémon of the Kanto Pokédex, numbered from 001 to 151, augmented by a solid batch of rare and ultra-rare cards.

The set met with an exceptional reception, driven by the nostalgia of early players and by the visual quality of the illustrations. Print runs were substantial, which slightly moderates the raw scarcity of the cards, but demand remains strong two years after release. The SIRs, in particular, constitute the undisputed "chase cards" of the set.

The card in detail

Number: 198/165, the number exceeds the total of 165 base cards, which is typical of secret and rare cards in the Pokémon numbering system.

Artist: Yoriyuki Ikegami, a recognized illustrator in the Pokémon TCG for his organic compositions and textured renderings that bring Pokémon to life in detailed natural environments.

Rarity: Special Illustration Rare (SIR), the highest rarity tier of the set alongside the Gold Rares.

Type and HP: Venusaur ex is a Grass-type Pokémon ex with 340 HP, in line with the standards of ex cards from the Scarlet & Violet series.

The illustration: Ikegami depicts Venusaur in a dense, luminous plant setting. The flower on its back is treated with particular care, saturated pink petals, detailed veins, filtering light. The full-frame illustration, characteristic of SIRs, allows an immersion that classic formats do not. Venusaur's gaze, calm and benevolent, recalls the Pokémon's character while giving it an imposing presence. It's an illustration that works just as well for play as for display.

Note: There are three versions of Venusaur ex in this set. The 003/165 is a Double Rare illustrated by 5ban Graphics (classic 3D rendering). The 182/165 is a Full Art Ultra Rare by PLANETA Yamashita. The 198/165 is the only true Special Illustration Rare, it is indeed this version that is analyzed here.

Market-value analysis and current prices

Here are the price ranges observed in May 2025, according to CardMarket and specialized resellers for the FR market, and eBay for the EN market:

Raw, the card sits in an accessible range compared to other SIRs of contemporary sets. The gap between the low and high end of the range reflects the card's condition (centering, corners, surface) and the sales channel.

In PSA 10, the roughly three-fold multiplier is consistent with this type of card: grading brings a notable premium of liquidity and confidence, especially when exporting to the American and Asian markets.

The wider EN range ($40 - 85) is explained by a more fragmented supply on eBay between private and professional sellers.

The valuation factors

Nostalgia and popularity of Venusaur: Venusaur is one of the least historically highlighted Kanto starters (Charizard overshadows everything, Blastoise remains popular), but it benefits from a loyal fan base. Its representation as a SIR in a set dedicated to Gen 1 gives it maximum exposure.

SIR status in a flagship set: Pokémon 151 is one of the most in-demand modern sets. The SIRs of this set have held their value better than the average of contemporary Scarlet & Violet sets.

Kanto starter trio: The collecting dynamic of "completing the Kanto IR trio" pushes buyers to acquire the three SIRs together, which supports demand even for Venusaur, less "hyped" individually than its two companions.

Print status: The set was printed in large quantities, which limits intrinsic scarcity. This factor caps the raw value and explains why the SIR remains under €60 in raw condition despite strong demand.

Competitive: Venusaur ex is playable in the Standard format at the time of writing, but the card's value is 95% carried by the collectible, not by the metagame.

PSA 10 as a value driver: For this card, the raw/PSA 10 gap is significant. If you get a well-centered copy, PSA 10 grading can nearly triple the value, the ratio is favorable if the grading cost is kept under control.

Should you buy this card?

Arguments for:

• The 198/165 remains accessible below €55 raw, which is reasonable for a SIR of this caliber.
• Pokémon 151 is a set with a strong identity: it will continue to attract new collectors drawn to Gen 1.
• The Kanto starter trio in SIR has a coherent and durable collecting logic.
• A PSA 10 copy at €100 - 160 represents a moderate entry ticket for a quality graded card.

To keep in perspective:

• The set's high print runs mechanically limit the rise in raw value in the short term.
• Venusaur suffers from Charizard's shadow: liquidity on resale is less immediate.
• The modern SIR market remains sensitive to new releases, each new set can divert attention and cause prices to stagnate.

Practical advice: If you want to acquire this card for the collection, aim for a well-centered raw copy between €35 and €45, the margin between purchase price and potential PSA 10 value remains interesting. If you're buying it only to complete your 151 set, don't overpay: supply is sufficient to find a nice copy without rushing.

Conclusion

The Venusaur ex 198/165 is a solid Special Illustration Rare, anchored in an iconic set and carried by Kanto nostalgia. Without reaching the liquidity heights of a Charizard ex, it holds its place in any serious collection focused on Pokémon 151 or the first-generation starters. Its raw value remains accessible, and the PSA 10 potential is real for quality copies.

To track its price movements day to day without having to comb through CardMarket manually, use PokéItem directly in your browser, or download the app on your phone, the page automatically detects your system and redirects you to the App Store or Google Play as appropriate.