Magneton · Base Set, what to know.
About the Magneton card
Magneton sits at #9 in Base Set, the first of the Wizards of the Coast print runs. Illustration by Keiji Kinebuchi. Kinebuchi contributed a smaller body of Wizards-era cards but is responsible for several memorable holos. His style runs warmer and more textured than the Sugimori work alongside it. In the games, Magneton evolves from Magnemite, which makes it a late-stage card in the line.
The flavor text on the card reads: "Formed by several Magnemites linked together. It frequently appears when sunspots flare up." Pokédex entries from this era are short and often quirky, written by the original Japanese localization team for a specific stat-block layout that no longer exists in modern cards.
About Magneton in the Pokémon world
Three Magnemites linked together. Base Set holo Magneton is one of the original 16 holos. Steady graded demand.
Print variants and how to spot them
Base Set produced three print waves that collectors track separately: 1st Edition (the launch print, with an Edition-1 stamp under the artwork), Shadowless (a transitional print with no stamp and no drop shadow on the right side of the artwork), and Unlimited (the long-running print with the drop shadow restored). The price spread between these prints on the same card name is often 10x or more, which is why variant identification matters before any purchase.
Grading and condition
For graded buyers, the holo window is where most grade points are won or lost. Surface scratches and print misregistration on the foil are common, and centering on Wizards-era holos was inconsistent enough that PSA 10s remain genuinely scarce a quarter century later. The PSA 9 to PSA 10 price gap on this kind of card is wide enough that pre-grading inspection under a loupe is well worth the time.
If you are buying this card
If you are buying this card, the order of operations is variant first, then condition. Verify the print variant (1st Edition stamp visible, drop shadow on the right edge if Unlimited) before you negotiate on price. For raw purchases above $500, insist on photo or video showing the holo surface under direct light from a 45-degree angle so you can spot hairlines. The "live market price" on this page tracks recent eBay sales, but the actual transaction price will vary by variant, grade, and how recently a comparable sale closed.
