Charmeleon - 169/165 - SV: Scarlet & Violet 151 (MEW)

Charmeleon 169/165 — Illustration Rare — Scarlet & Violet: 151

The middle child of the most iconic Fire-type line in Pokémon history, and one of the most visually striking secret rares in the entire Scarlet & Violet era. Numbered 169/165, this card sits beyond the main set count — the calling card of a true secret rare — and carries the Illustration Rare treatment that collectors hunt hardest in this set. The full-art holo artwork by Miki Kudo places Charmeleon on a sunlit rocky outcrop, bathed in rich golden foil and sweeping rainbow holo patterns that make it impossible to ignore in any binder or display case.

This card comes from Scarlet & Violet 151 (MEW), the set widely regarded as the modern equivalent of the original Base Set — the first time all 151 Kanto Pokémon have appeared together in a single TCG expansion, numbered in exact Pokédex order. That cultural weight drives sustained demand well past what typical modern releases see, and raw Near Mint copies have been moving in the $65–$75 range, with recent sales trending upward — up over 16% in the last 30 days alone.

• Card: Charmeleon — 169/165
• Rarity: Illustration Rare (IR) — secret rare, numbered beyond the base set
• Set: Scarlet & Violet: 151 (MEW), released September 22, 2023
• Type: Fire / Stage 1 / 100 HP
• Artist: Miki Kudo

For Charmander line collectors and Kanto completionists alike, the Charmeleon IR is the hardest piece of the evolution trio puzzle to pin down. Graded copies in PSA 9 are actively traded, and the card's position as the bridge between fan-favorite Charmander and the iconic Charizard gives it lasting shelf appeal. If you're building a 151 master set or chasing the full Charmander evolution IR run, this is the card you still need.

Available at Collector Station, Easley, SC. Local pickup available. All sales final. Shipping damage must be reported within 48 hours of delivery with photos.