Master-ball – Expedition Base Set (#143)

Price Overview & Key Facts
Master-ball (#143) is an Uncommon card from E-Card - Expedition Base Set released in 2002. It showcases artwork by Keiji Kinebuchi. TCGplayer market price sits around $2.72, Cardmarket average sale is €1.10, Floor listings start near €0.08.
- TCGplayer market price: $2.72
- Cardmarket trend price: €1.29
- Recent low listing: €0.08
Card Details
- Set
- Expedition Base Set
- Card Number
- 143
- Rarity
- ✨ Uncommon
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Keiji Kinebuchi
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Master-ball from Expedition Base Set (Uncommon) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2002, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Keiji Kinebuchi.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: Vintage cards from this era have shown strong long-term appreciation potential.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Master-ball 143 is legal for tournament play in Unlimited format.
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Master-ball Cards
Looking for other Master-ball cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Expedition Base Set #143 ← Current | N/A | 0 attacks | Uncommon | $2.72 |
�📦 Expedition Base Set Set Context
This Master-ball is part of the Expedition Base Set expansion , released as part of the E-Card series in 2002.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Keiji Kinebuchi, whose distinctive illustration style has made their cards highly collectible. Explore more cards illustrated by this artist to discover similar art styles and collecting themes.
💎 Professional Grading Guide
Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Master-ball card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 2-4x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 2-3x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 1.5-3x
Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk
💡 Should You Grade This Card?
- Yes, consider grading if: Card value exceeds $20 and is in excellent condition
- Grading cost: $20-100+ per card (depending on service level)
- Break-even point: Card should be worth $50+ raw to justify grading costs
- Turnaround time: 2 weeks to 6 months depending on service
Collector Notes
- Uncommon cards from Expedition Base Set are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Keiji Kinebuchi resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Master-ball 143 was released in 2002 in the Expedition Base Set expansion. This set is part of the E-Card series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Keiji Kinebuchi. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Expedition Base Set is a vintage set that has gained significant collector interest over time, with sealed product and individual cards showing strong appreciation.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Master-ball card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Binders with side-loading pages
- Storage boxes (800-count)
- ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
- Premium display cases
- Draw support & consistency cards