Steelix · Aquapolis, what to know.
About the Steelix card
Steelix sits at #H23 in Aquapolis, the fourteenth of the Wizards of the Coast print runs. Illustration by Hajime Kusajima. In the games, Steelix evolves from Onix, which makes it a late-stage card in the line.
About Steelix in the Pokémon world
The Steel evolution of Onix when traded with Metal Coat. Massive metal serpent. Neo Genesis holo Steelix is the marquee Steel-type holo of the Neo era.
Print variants and how to spot them
Aquapolis shipped in Standard, Reverse Holo, and Crystal Type prints. Crystal Type cards are rare alternate-art holos with a colorless rainbow holofoil pattern, pulled at significantly lower rates than standard holos. They are the marquee chase for this set.
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.
