A Collector's Guide to the Jungle Set

Why Jungle Mattered: The First True Expansion of the Pokémon TCG

Released in 1999 by Wizards of the Coast, Jungle was the first expansion to follow the Base Set in English and the moment the Pokémon TCG “became a series.” It introduced the now-standard idea of a set symbol—the little flower—which Base Set lacked, and it brought fan-favorite species to the hobby in a big way: the Eeveelutions (Flareon, Vaporeon, Jolteon), Snorlax, Scyther, Wigglytuff, and more. Jungle also cemented the two-track rarity experience by offering many headliners in both Holo Rare and non-holo Rare forms with different card numbers, a quirk that continues to shape values and grading outcomes to this day.

Unique Production Facts That Define Jungle

• No reverse holos in 1999: Despite occasional modern listings mislabeling Jungle cards as “reverse holo,” the reverse-holo treatment did not exist in English sets until years later. Jungle had standard holos and non-holos only.
• “No Symbol” Jungle error: Early unlimited-print holos left the Jungle flower symbol off entirely. These “No Symbol” holos are a famous error subset with strong collector demand because Jungle was supposed to have a set symbol, unlike Base Set.
• Butterfree “d” edition misprint: One of Jungle’s most talked-about stamp anomalies appears on some 1st Edition Butterfree, where the “Edition” font shows as a quirky “d” variation. It’s a production oddity that adds depth to Jungle-specific error hunting.
• WOTC-era cutting and “silvering”: Factory edge silvering and centering inconsistencies are common on Jungle holos, which often cap grades even on otherwise clean copies. Serious grading outcomes depend on finding examples with minimized factory edge wear.

Jungle Through Real Cards: Filtering Market Data the Right Way

We analyzed recent sales, but not before filtering for exact variants (1st Edition vs Unlimited, holo vs non-holo, and matching card numbers). Raw search results often bundle unlike items; we excluded mismatches before drawing conclusions.

Jolteon: Eeveelution Heat, Two Numbers, Big Spread

One of our user submissions, 1999 Jolteon Reverse Holo 20/64 Rare 1st edition, is a perfect example of Jungle-era listing confusion. Jungle had no reverse holos; #20/64 is the non-holo Jolteon Rare, while the true 1st Edition Holo is #4/64. After filtering eBay results to the non-holo 1st Edition #20/64, recent raw sales cluster around $18–$22 in lightly played to near mint. PSA 9 copies ranged roughly $30–$59.

By contrast, the 1st Edition Jolteon Holo #4/64 shows a much higher ceiling. PSA 9 sales ranged from about $255 (Nov 2024) to $439.99 (Jan 2025), while raw LP copies typically traded in the $50–$75 band during the same window. This bifurcation is classic Jungle: same Pokémon, different number and foil status, dramatically different values.

Curious where your Eeveelutions land? Scan them with our AI grader to get instant condition insights and today’s comparable sales.

Snorlax: A Holo Icon With 1st Edition Firepower

Another submission, 1999 Snorlax Reverse Holo 11/64 Rare Holo 1st edition, again highlights the “reverse” mislabel that creeps into vintage listings. Filtered to the true 1st Edition Holo #11/64 (excluding Unlimited and non-holos), we observed:

• Raw, ungraded: most sales in $70–$140 depending on condition (LP to VG/NM). Outliers at very low prices typically reflect heavy damage or non-1st Edition variants once inspected closely.
• Graded: PSA 8s around $235–$285 in recent sales; PSA 9s spiking as high as $559–$699. PSA 5 examples ranged broadly (~$60–$140) due to condition.

Snorlax’s popularity, combined with Jungle’s factory silvering/centering challenges, makes high-grade 1st Edition copies especially competitive. Use Fast Scan at your next show to quickly flag print defects that can cap a grade.

Exeggutor: The Set-Binder Workhorse

Our third submission, 1999 Exeggutor 35/64 Rare, is a non-holo from the lower half of the checklist. Sellers often mislabel Jungle rarities; the surest way to confirm is the set rarity symbol (star/diamond/circle). After filtering to 1st Edition 35/64 non-holo sales, raw copies commonly sell for about $2–$7. Graded price points reflect this accessibility: PSA 9s often land in the $20–$35 range, with a 1st Edition PSA 10 sale observed around $120. That’s a typical Jungle curve for non-holo binder staples: affordable raw, selective premium at the very top grade.

Holo vs Non-Holo, 1st Edition vs Unlimited: Why It Matters So Much in Jungle

• Holo vs non-holo: For the same character, Jungle’s non-holo rare can be a fraction of the holo’s value. Jolteon and Snorlax show this vividly.
• 1st Edition premium: The black “1st Edition” stamp commands meaningful premiums across the set, magnified on marquee holos.
• Error subsets: No Symbol Jungle holos and the Butterfree “d” stamp variation are historically significant and collectible beyond baseline rarity.

What to Look For When Evaluating Jungle

• Set symbol check: Confirm the Jungle flower is present; if it’s a holo and missing, you may have a “No Symbol” error.
• Card number alignment: Eeveelutions and other headliners have different numbers for holo vs non-holo (e.g., Jolteon Holo #4/64 vs. non-holo #20/64). Values differ dramatically.
• Surface and edges: Examine for factory silvering on holo borders and faint print lines—common Jungle grade limiters.
• Centering: Off-center cuts are frequent. Aesthetics and grades both suffer when borders are uneven.
• Edition mark: Verify “1st Edition” vs Unlimited; then confirm if any stamp anomalies exist (e.g., Butterfree “d”).

Scan, Verify, and Price With Confidence

Whether you’re vetting a possible “No Symbol” Snorlax or differentiating a Jolteon #4 vs #20, modern pricing depends on precise variant ID and condition. We critically filtered raw eBay results to isolate true matches—exact number, edition, and holo status—before quoting ranges above. Do the same with your cards:

• Sign up for CardGrader.AI to get free credits and start evaluating your Jungle collection today.
• Already sorting a binder? Upload photos to our AI Grader for instant condition reads and comparable sales.
• At a show or trading with friends? Use Fast Scan to identify variants and ballpark values in seconds.

Jungle’s historical weight comes from more than nostalgia. It’s the set where the Pokémon TCG matured: symbols, variants, errors, and iconic art that still anchors collections. Understand the production quirks, filter your comps carefully, and let data guide your next move—whether you’re chasing a PSA 9 Snorlax or rounding out a clean set of Eeveelutions.