Japanese Web (2001): all 48 cards with PSA prices — the online-only old-back set

Hi, this is Bunbun. This column covers Pokémon Web, the 2001 set sold only through the official Pokémon website. At 48 cards it is one of the smallest old-back sets, but it packs Team Rocket’s Dark Pokémon and Surfing Pikachu into one box, and it remains a favourite with collectors.

What is it?

• Released on 20 October 2001. It was never sold in shops; the only way to buy it was online through the official website.
• 48 cards: 42 Pokémon and 6 Trainers. No Energy cards.
• Rarity breakdown: 16 commons, 16 uncommons, 8 rares and 8 holo rares.
• 8 holos: Dark Venusaur, Dark Charizard, Moltres, Dark Blastoise, Articuno, Zapdos, Gengar and Machamp.
• Cards carry collector numbers (001/048 to 048/048). The card frame is the newer VS-style layout, but the back is still the old back.
• Cards carry a 1st Edition stamp.

Highlights

• Dark Charizard: Team Rocket’s Charizard returns as a holo and is the face of the set. Its PSA 10 population is tied with Gengar for the highest in the set.
• Dark Blastoise and Dark Venusaur: all three Dark starters appear as holos here, and both sit just behind Charizard in PSA 10 population.
• Surfing Pikachu: the card known from the promos is included as a rare. It is not a holo, but it has one of the larger PSA 10 populations in the set and is a staple for Pikachu collectors.
• Magikarp: a rare-slot Magikarp with a surprisingly large PSA 10 population.
• Gengar: the largest PSA 10 population in the set. The legendary birds (Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno) are also all holos here.

Reading the prices

• PSA 10 / PSA 9 below are the median of the latest confirmed sales (up to five).
• Web exists with and without the 1st Edition stamp, and prices differ, but this site does not separate the two prints yet. Check the listing title and PSA label on the card’s price page.
• The set is small and supply is limited, so cards with only a few sales can move quickly.