The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) has remained popular for nearly three decades, and during that time, some of the rarest cards have sold for life-changing money. Here, we’ve found the most expensive Pokemon cards that have ever gone to auction… Who knows, you might be sitting on a fortune!
In terms of judging card rarity in the Pokemon TCG, condition, age, scarcity, and print numbers are all considered when determining value. Cards from recent sets can be just as valuable as cards from the ’90s depending on appraisal or pull rates.
Some Pokemon cards can now be sold for eye-watering amounts, depending on the packs you buy and the sets you keep an eye out for.
When assessing a rare and valuable card, it’s essential to note that the market is constantly fluctuating and experiencing peaks and dips. We’ve used auction data and historical records on price charting sites to determine our list in terms of value, but card prices change all the time.
The most expensive Pokemon cards ever sold (2025)
40. Mysterious Mountains Holo Crystal Charizard (First Edition)
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2002
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $40,800
The Crystal Charizard from the 2002 Japanese Mysterious Mountains set is a visually striking reverse-holo variant printed with a shimmering panoramic foil background, setting it apart in the post‑Base Set era.
As a rare First Edition card (#89/088), it’s particularly sought after by Charizard collectors craving unique aesthetics from the Crystal series.
It was sold back in October 2022 for $40,800, but it’s currently on sale again at $55,526.
39. 2004 Pokemon EX Team Rocket Returns Holo Torchic Gold Star
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2004
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $43,200
In 2004, The Pokemon Company introduced “Gold Star” Pokemon cards to drum up interest in the hobby again. The new line of collectibles had a low print run and made its debut alongside the criminally underrated Team Rocket Returns expansion.
Due to its insane popularity, Hoenn Fire-type Starter Torchic instantly became one of the rarest Pokemon cards released that year.
We found a Fantatics Collect auction listing for a PSA Gem Mint 10 version of the card that wrapped up with a $43,200 price tag.
38. 2000 Tropical Mega Battle No. 1 Trainer
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2000
- Grading: CGC – Pristine 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $48,125
The No. 1 Trainer Tropical Mega Battle card was awarded to the winners of the 2000 Tropical Mega Battle tournament – one of Pokemon’s earliest global competitive events.
Notably, 42 finalists received these cards, and each was personalized with the trainer’s name and a custom design. Being bilingual and tournament-specific, it represents one of the most collectible participation promos from Pokemon’s competitive infancy.
This card was sold in September 2023 for $48,125 at Heritage Auctions.
37. Holo Gold Star Rayquaza (EX Deoxys #107/107)
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2005
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $48,958
An early favorite of Ruby & Sapphire, Rayquaza has seen an uptick in popularity over the last decade. This particular card is a shining example of a stunning Rayquaza, originating from the EX Deoxys expansion set.
As a gimmick to get Pokemon card collectors interested in the set, the Japanese company introduced “Gold Star” Pokemon cards into the hobby. As mentioned, these incredibly rare cards feature a special symbol next to the name of the ‘mon and are highly sought-after.
Its most recent eBay sale placed it at $48,598 for a PSA Gem Mint 10, meaning the price has changed significantly in the last few years.
36. Daisuki Club Master’s Scroll 8,600 Points Holo (055/LP)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2010
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $50,000
The Daisuki Club was a Pokemon fan club that was founded in 2004 and offered members a ranking system using Action Points. Players could accumulate AP by taking part in tournaments, quizzes, and other activities, with rankings like Gold (1,200 AP) and Super (3,200 AP) to aspire to.
The Master rank was the highest position in the club, asking players to gather a staggering 8,600 Action Points. Achieving this rank rewarded you with the Master’s Scroll card, which has since become one of the rarest fan club-related Pokemon cards in the game.
This card was sold at an eBay auction for $50,000 back in August 2020.
35. Wonder Platinum Japan National Championship Promo
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2009
- Grading: PSA– Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $51,250
The Wonder Platinum promo was handed out to top finishers at the 2009 Japan National Championships. Only 20 copies of this striking holo card were ever made.
With its minimalist design and bold “Wonder Platinum” stamp, it’s a clean but powerful flex in the TCG world – especially for collectors who chase high-level trophy cards over flashy mainstream grails.
In December 2023, a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy sold for $51,250, cementing its place among the highest-value national promos ever.
34. Base Set Chansey Holo (First Edition) (Shadowless) (03/102)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $55,000
A Base Set, Shadowless, and a First Edition? This rare card is a triple threat, and, unsurprisingly, it’s been so highly sought-after over the years.
One of the most interesting things about this card is that it’s very hard to find in good condition. This particular card experienced some manufacturing issues, meaning the holo section scratches very easily. Finding it in good condition is quite difficult.
We found a listing for a PSA Gem Mint 10, which had a $55,000 price tag by the end of the auction in July 2024. However, another one is currently on sale at Fanatics Collect for a whopping $120,000, while an eBay seller has it listed at $189.995.
33. Base Set Venusaur Holo (No Rarity Symbol – Autographed)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1996
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $55,000
While English Base Set cards had First Edition stamps, the original run of the Japanese Base Set had no rarity symbols at all. They’re referred to as No Rarity cards, and they are scarce gems that collectors are willing to spend immense amounts on.
Something that truly makes this card impressive is the signature on the outside casing from the original artist, Mitsuhiro Arita. According to PSA, the grade 10 collectible is only one of 5 to exist in the entire world.
We found a PWCC listing for an auction where this autographed gem managed to wrap up with an unbelievable $55,000 price tag.
32. Pokemon Snap Contest 64 Mario Stadium Articuno
DEXERTO- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA – NM / Mint 8
- Pokemon card value at auction: $58,560
This card was awarded in 1999 to winners of the exclusive 64 Mario Stadium division of the Pokemon Snap fan contest in Japan, a televised event co-hosted with Nintendo and CoroCoro Magazine.
Entrants submitted in-game screenshots that were transformed into printed promo cards. Only 15 copies of the Articuno card were created, making it one of the rarest variants in the Snap promo series and highly prized by players and collectors alike.
In April 2024, a PSA 8 near-mint/ mint example sold at auction for $58,560. With only a handful of graded copies known – and none graded higher than PSA 8 – it remains a true grail for collectors of ultra-rare Snap memorabilia.
31. Tropical Mega Battle Bilingual Exeggutor
DEXERTO- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: CGC – Pristine 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $59,780
The 1999 Tropical Mega Battle Bilingual Exeggutor card was distributed as a participation prize during the landmark Tropical Mega Battle tournament in Hawaii – widely regarded as the first worldwide Pokemon TCG championship.
This rare promo is bilingual (Japanese and English), and only between 36 and 50 copies were ever printed for attendees. It was sold at Goldin for $59,780 back in July 2024.
30. Base Set Blastoise Holo (Shadowless) (First Edition) (02/102)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA– Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $60,000
While Charizard tends to get all of the attention concerning the Gen 1 Starter final forms, Blastoise does have an absolute cult following. This Pokemon is iconic and represents the amazing designs of the original 151 ‘mons perfectly.
This particular card is part of the Base Set, it’s a First Edition, and it’s a Holo, too. It’s a beautiful card that would fill out an original 151 collection perfectly.
It had a 2020 listing from PWCC, where this prized card racked up a $45,100 price point by the end of the auction. However, according to Fanatics Collect, it was sold privately in January 2025 for $60,000.
29. Summer Battle Road Mew Victory Orb Trophy
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2005
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Item value at auction: $60,000
Trophy cards are always a hit with rare card collectors, and this one was given out during the 2005 Summer Battle Road competition. Spanning nine regions across Japan, only the top three Trainers in each bracket
According to PSA, only 16 of these cards have achieved the coveted Gem Mint 10 score. Trophy cards are popular because of their scarcity and their importance to players, but the fact that this one has an awesome design doesn’t hurt either.
When looking for auction listings to verify the price of this card, we found one on PWCC that included the original trophy case alongside it. It’s a stunning piece of Pokemon history that racked up an impressive $60,000 price point.
28. Ex Dragon Frontiers Holo Gold Star Charizard
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2006
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Item value at auction: $60,065
The Gold Star Charizard from EX Dragon Frontiers is among the rarest and most iconic Gold Star cards ever produced by Wizards of the Coast in 2006.
With stunning artwork by Masakazu Fukuda, the card depicts Charizard with a shimmering holo star in the set’s signature holofoil pattern – making it a fan-favorite and centerpiece of the collectible Gold Star series.
Even though it’s not as limited as early trophy or prototype pieces, it was sold at an eBay auction for $60,065 in October 2020.
27. Pokemon Snap Contest 64 Mario Stadium Chansey
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: BGS – Near Mint 8.5
- Item value at auction: $63,000
Created as part of the promotional Pokemon Snap photo contest back in 1999, this card is exceptionally rare. 20 copies or fewer exist for every competition winner in this case, making the cards hard to come by and immensely valuable for collectors.
We found a PWCC listing for this card, and it ended up with an immense $63,000 price tag by the end of the auction. It’s one of the hardest Pokemon cards to find out there right now.
26. 2013 Pokemon World Championships Pikachu No. 1 Trainer
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2013
- Grading: PSA – Mint 9
- Item value at auction: $63,000
The 2013 Pikachu No. 1 Trainer card was awarded exclusively to first-place winners across age divisions at the 2013 Pokemon TCG World Championships, with only six copies ever distributed.
Featuring classic Pikachu artwork and the prestigious “No. 1 Trainer” title, it’s one of the final traditional half-art style Trainer trophy cards before full-art variants replaced them in 2014.
25. Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind Promo
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $65,100
While not the most flashy Pokemon card on the list, the Tropical Mega Battle promo is a holy grail for Psyduck fans. It’s an adorable and visually striking card, featuring another fan-favorite in the form of Jigglypuff.
This card was given out at the predecessor to the World Championships, referred to as the Tropical Mega Battle. In 1999, only 50 players received an invitation to compete, and this Trophy card is one of the Trophies that was given out at that event.
We tracked down a PWCC listing for this card, which ended up closing with a massive $65,100 price tag at the end of the auction.
24. 2010 Pokemon World Championship Master’s Key
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2010
- Grading: BGS – Gem Mint 9.5
- Pokemon card value at auction: $66,000
In 2010, the best Pokemon card players worldwide were flown into Waikoloa Village, Hawaii, for the World Championships. Upon arrival, they were given a Master’s Key Pokemon card.
Because the item was only printed for participants at the tournament, only 36 of these in total were ever created, making it one of the rarest Pokemon cards in history. As expected, some of these cards have made their way out of the tournament scene and into the resale market.
We found a PWCC auction for this card, which ended up closing with a $66,000 price tag. Cards like these are hard to find, so when collectors can get their hands on them, they’re willing to pay a lot more.
23. Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Promo
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $66,100
In 1998, the Shogakukan magazine hosted a contest for school students. Fans who took the various tests offered in the publication could send them back to the company to have them graded – and if they passed with high scores, fans would be invited to a special conference in Osaka.
At this conference, there was, unsurprisingly, a Pokemon TCG tournament. The winning players were awarded this card, which remains one of the rarest Pokemon cards to this day. It’s estimated under 70 copies of this card exist.
22. 1999 Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer
DEXERTO- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA – 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $81,536
The Pokemon No. 2 Trainer Tropical Mega Battle card was awarded to the second-place finalist in the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle tournament in Hawaii, a landmark event considered the precursor to the official Pokemon World Championships.
Featuring the lush Exeggutor artwork and the “No. 2 Trainer” title, it’s an iconic trophy card with extreme scarcity – only a few copies are documented to exist.
While the PSA 10 variant was recently sold for around $75,000, the highest registry for this card is $81,536.
21. Pokemon Snap Contest 64 Mario Stadium Squirtle
DEXERTO- Release Date:
- Grading: CGC – Gem Mint 9.5
- Pokemon card value at auction: $82,546
Featuring a fan-submitted in-game screenshot of Squirtle, this limited promo saw only 15 copies created and is tied to a nostalgic TV crossover with 64 Mario Stadium, making it one of the rarest Snap contest cards ever.
In February 2024, a BGS 8 graded example sold at Rare Candy, fetching $82,546 and setting a new public benchmark for the card.
20. Pokemon Snap Contest 64 Mario Stadium Gyarados
Heritage Auctions / The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: CGC – Gem Mint 9.5
- Pokemon card value at auction: $87,500
This card was part of the same photo contest as the Chansey and Squirtle cards that we listed earlier, being created to celebrate a winner. It’s incredibly rare and quite a unique-looking piece too, showing a lot of dynamism.
This particular copy of the rare card was auctioned by Heritage Auctions in July 2023, and it managed to stack up a mighty $87,500 price tag.
19. Japanese Beta Presentation Charizard
DEXERTO- Release Date: 1996
- Grading: CGC – NM / Mint 8
- Pokemon card value at auction: $99,000
The 1996 Japanese Beta Presentation Charizard is one of the rarest prototype cards ever made, used to showcase early TCG designs before the game’s official release. Featuring Ken Sugimori’s artwork and no rarity symbol, only one graded CGC 8 copy is known to exist.
It sold for $99,000 in 2024, earning its place among the hobby’s most elusive Charizard cards.
18. Pokemon Snap Contest 64 Mario Stadium Charmander
DEXERTO- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: BSG – 9
- Pokemon card value at auction: $105,003
The Pokemon Snap Contest 64 Mario Stadium Charmander card was awarded to the winners of the 1999 Pokemon Snap photo contest held by CoroCoro Magazine and the TV program 64 Mario Stadium in Japan.
This ultra-rare promo features a fan-submitted in-game screenshot of Charmander, and only 15 copies were printed for the Mario Stadium contest winners, drastically limiting its availability to collectors.
In February 2024, a BGS 9 Mint graded example fetched $105,003 at auction, making it one of the highest-valued Snap promo cards.
17. Extra Battle Day Full Art Lillie (397/SM-P)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2019
- Grading: PSA – 10, Gem Mint
- Pokemon card value at auction: $108,000
The value of this card comes down to its scarcity. The only way to get it was to win a chance at drawing it from an exclusive Booster Pack given out at the Japanese Extra Battle Day event in 2019.
To be in with a chance at even opening one of these special packs, players first had to compete and were ranked based on their scores and Prize Cards. In the finals, the players had to then win a game of rock, paper, scissors to get their chance at pulling Lillie.
The Lillie card was illustrated by an artist with a cult following, Naoki Saito. Lillie herself is a popular character, so it’s unsurprising that PWCC managed to auction it for $108,000 in 2023.
16. Pokemon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2006
- Grading: PSA – 9
- Pokemon card value at auction: $110,100
This incredible Trophy card was handed out at the 2006 World Championship held in Anaheim, California. Since these Pokemon cards were only given to winners, the amount of them out in the wild is very low.
In fact, it’s believed that only 3 copies of these cards have ever been issued. It’s immensely rare to see them up for auction, so it’s not surprising to see PWCC managing to pull in a $110,100 price tag.
15. 2001 Neo Summer Battle Road No. 2 Trainer
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2001
- Grading: CGC – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $132,000
The 2001 Neo Summer Battle Road No. 2 Trainer card is a true one-of-a-kind trophy, awarded to the runner-up of the Senior Division at Japan’s national Pokemon tournament that year. What sets this card apart is its personalization – it features the actual photo and name of the second-place winner, Takahiro Ikeda.
Only one copy of each of these custom cards was ever produced, and in 2023, a CGC 10 Gem Mint version of this card sold for $132,000, placing it among the highest-value Pokemon trophy cards in existence.
14. Pokemon Snap Contest CoroCoro Magikarp
DEXERTO- Release Date: 2000
- Grading: PSA – 9
- Pokemon card value at auction: $136,000
The Pokemon Snap Contest Magikarp is one of the rarest and most coveted promo cards ever released. Awarded in 2000 to just 20 winners of a CoroCoro photo contest in Japan, this card immortalized user-submitted in-game screenshots from Pokemon Snap and was never made available to the public.
Featuring unique artwork and limited distribution, it’s a true collector’s trophy with historical significance tied to both the N64 game and early Pokemon fandom.
In 2022, a PSA 9-graded copy of the Magikarp sold for roughly $136,000 USD, cementing its place among the most expensive Pokemon cards ever. Its extreme scarcity, exclusive origins, and connection to a beloved spin-off game make it a standout gem for elite collectors.
13. Toshiyuki Yamaguchi No. 2 Trainer Card
Heritage Auctions / The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2000
- Grading: CGC – Near Mint 8
- Pokemon card value at auction: $137,500
1 of 1 cards are not common in Pokemon, and this is one of the only examples. It was made as a prize for the second-place winner of the Japanese World Summer Challenge in 2000. In order to qualify for the final, challengers first had to compete at eight qualifying tournaments across Japan.
Cards were made for the top 3 Trainers, but this is (currently) the only one that’s made its way into the grading world. It sold for an immense $137,500 on the Heritage Auctions site in 2023.
12. Lugia Holo (09/111) (First Edition)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2000
- Grading: BGS – Pristine 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $144,300
This Lugia card represents the very best of the Neo Genesis expansion set. It’s an utterly iconic card that’ll bring up nostalgia for a lot of people, and it’s also immensely rare and valuable.
It’s reportedly incredibly hard to grade thanks to manufacturing issues, and very few cards of this incredible quality can be found out in the wild, especially according to BGS standards.
We found a PWCC auction listing where a Lugia card ended up selling for an incredible $144,300, pointing to how far collectors are willing to go for a top-quality Neo Genesis card. Iterations of different grades and qualities can be found for much lower prices.
11. No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $156,000
In 1999, The Pokemon Company hosted regional contests in Japan. Winners received a No. 1 Trainer Pokemon card, which granted them access to the final that took place in a secret location.
It was a mysterious and exciting tournament set-up, which paired perfectly with this incredibly elusive and rare card.
We found a Heritage Auctions listing that placed this card at $156,000, which makes sense considering the scarcity, event tie-in, and featured Pokemon.
10. Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy Holo
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $175,000
This 1998 Trophy Pokemon card could only be obtained by participating in a special tournament in Japan, and it remains one of the most valuable Pokemon cards in existence to this day. It features an adorable design with just the right amount of sparkle.
Fittingly, the contest required both a child and their parent to participate alongside each other in TCG battles. It is believed that there are only 11 graded copies of this card in existence, making it one of the rarest Trophy Pokemon cards to exist.
This card is rare to see in auction sales, but it was spotted in a 2020 eBay auction with a final price of $150,000, with another selling for even more – $175,000 – in a 2023 Heritage Auctions sale.
9. Umbreon Gold Star Holo (026/PLAY)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2005
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $180,000
Fan-favorite Umbreon features on a number of popular and rare Pokemon cards, and this particular card managed to run up a mighty $180,000 price tag in a 2024 auction.
In a similar vein to the Espeon Gold Star that we mentioned earlier, Pokemon collectors had to accumulate a certain number of points to pick up this card from the Pokemon Players’ Club. In particular, they had to get 70K points, which was no easy task, requiring a lot of in-person attendance at events and success during tournament matches, too.
8. Pokemon Snap Contest CoroCoro Bulbasaur
DEXERTO- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA – Mint 9
- Pokemon card value at auction: $200,000
The Snap Bulbasaur card was awarded exclusively to winners of the 1999 CoroCoro Pokemon Snap Best Photo Contest in Japan. Featuring a fan‑submitted in‑game screenshot, only 20 copies were printed, and even fewer are publicly known today.
In mid‑2025, a PSA 9 Mint example of Snap Bulbasaur sold via Fanatics Collect for $200,000, establishing a record as the most expensive Bulbasaur card ever traded. Jumping past earlier estimates of around $80,520, this sale solidifies its position among the rarest and most valuable promo cards in Pokemon TCG history.
7. Ishihara GX Black Star Promo (Autographed)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 2017
- Grading: PSA – Near Mint 7 / Autograph 9
- Pokemon card value at auction: $247,230
This card is a bit of an oddity, featuring the CEO and President of The Pokemon Company – Tsunekazu Ishihara. The special Pokemon card was actually given out to each employee who attended the executive’s birthday in 2017.
The card itself is very valuable and rare, with the community speculating that only around 30-60 of them actually exist, but the particular example we’ve picked out from Goldin Auctions is a signed copy. This copy went for a massive $247,230 when it was put up for sale.
6. Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze Trophy Card
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1997
- Grading: PSA – Near Mint 8
- Pokemon card value at auction: $300,000
We’ve mentioned a fair few Trophy cards in this article, and this particular one is an immense example of how much collectors are willing to pay for them.
The very first Pokemon TCG tournament was held in Japan, back in 1997. For the top three finishers in each division, a special Trophy Pikachu card was their reward, each of which noted their placement in the historic event. This is one of those cards.
PSA has previously claimed The Pokemon Company printed under 100 of these unique cards, making them extremely valuable on the market. Based on that, it’s hardly surprising to see that Heritage Auctions moved this card for a whopping $300,000 back in 2023.
5. Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Holo
Heritage Auctions / The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: CGC – Near Mint/Mint 8.5
- Pokemon card value at auction: $360,000
Originally commissioned by Wizards of the Coast in 1998, the Blastoise Presentation Pokemon card was supposed to give stores an idea of what the TCG line would look like in its final print run. It’s an immensely rare Pokemon card.
It’s currently unknown exactly how many copies of this card exist, but it’s widely believed that there are only a couple of them – with one copy even reportedly having a Magic: The Gathering backing being sold for around $216,000.
This artifact went up for auction in 2021 at Heritage Auctions, racking up an insane $360,000 price tag in the process. This card is nearly impossible to get your hands on, making it a dream for many collectors.
4. Base Set Charizard Holo (First Edition) (Shadowless)
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $420,000
This is the card that started it all for many collectors. Featuring the iconic lizard with the selling points of being Base Set, Shadowless, Holo, and a First Edition, it’s not hard to see why this is such a rare and valuable card nowadays.
On October 9, 2020, rapper Logic paid over $226k for a Grade 10 1st Edition Charizard, setting a new bar for the Pokemon card. Records have continued to spike over the years as more and more collectors have chased this card, with PWCC reporting an insane $420,000 auction in 2022.
According to the auction house, only 121 Charizards in the whole world are known to exist with the perfect Gem Mint 10 rating – making this one of the rarest Pokemon cards of all time.
3. Trophy Pikachu Silver 2nd Tournament Card
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $444,000
This is an incredible Pokemon Trophy card from the Lizardon Mega Battle – the first-ever international Pokemon TCG tournament, held in Japan back in 1998. It’s believed only 14 of these cards exist, 4 of them have been confirmed, and only one has this stellar Gem Mint rating.
It’s unsurprising to see that this card managed to positively explode at auction. The Goldin auction site reports a crazy $444,000 final price tag for it.
2. Topsun Charizard Blue Back Card
The Pokemon Company- Release Date: 1995 (Debated)
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $493,230
This card was a promotional piece that could be found in boxes of gum back in 1995. It was created by Topsun, who made some of the first-ever Pokemon cards – way before Wizards of the Coast took over – and as a result, their cards are highly sought after.
Although PSA lists the card as being released in 1995 and released in 1997, the claim is unverified on both Topsun and Nintendo’s websites. It is believed that the date on the card refers to the year Pokemon was trademarked instead.
This card was auctioned by Goldin in 2023 for an incredible $493,230. It’s a dream piece for many collectors, yet it’s so immensely rare that it feels impossible to get a hold of.
1. Illustrator CoroCoro Comics Promo (Pikachu Illustrator card)
The most expensive Pokemon card is owned by Logan Paul
Pokemon- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA – Gem Mint 10
- Pokemon card value at auction: $5,275,000
At the time of writing, one of the rarest and valuable Pokemon cards in the world is the elusive Pikachu Illustrator card. In 1997, CoroCoro magazine held an art competition where winners were given the card as a prize.
The card has been sold for some insane amounts in recent years, shooting up in value and notoriety. Celebrity Logan Paul is one of the most notable owners of this card, wearing the TCG collectible on a chain during his WrestleMania debut.
He even achieved a world record for the most expensive Pokemon card sold at a private sale. However, some Pokemon TCG fans doubt the legitimacy of his card.
Logan Paul isn’t the only big name to get their hands on this card, either. In October 2022, former New York Giants football player Blake Martinez sold his CGC 9.5 graded Pikachu Illustrator in an auction for $672,000, making it one of the first non-PSA graded copies of the card known to exist.
All of these point to one key factor – the Pokemon TCG has been around for decades, and it’s not showing any sign of going away any time soon.
Pokemon TCG fans will go to incredible lengths to get their hands on beautiful and rare cards. Each card in this article is a piece of gaming and pop culture history, with some of them being arguably worthy of being displayed in a museum.
What makes Pokemon cards valuable?
Pokemon / LeonhartThere are multiple factors to consider when looking at card value – and it does vary from set to set, so it’s worth taking these with a pinch of salt. When assessing value, these elements can play an important role:
- Expansion and set: Some Pokemon expansions are simply more valuable than others. While an old set isn’t necessarily valuable, older pieces are more likely to spike in price than current-day sets. Additionally, some sets have smaller card lists and are lower in quantity, too.
- Quality: This may sound obvious, but prices will fluctuate depending on the quality of the card in question. Even the smallest cut or mark can make a dent in the card’s value. Top-quality, mint-condition cards are much harder to find.
- Rarity symbol: There are multiple types of rarities in the Pokemon TCG – ranging from Double Rares to Ultra Rares – and they’re all represented by rarity symbols. Unsurprisingly, the harder-to-find symbols are a great way to boost value.
- Artist and art style: Full-art, vibrant pieces from popular TCG artists will naturally be more sought-after by collectors.
Other elements like promotional stamps or stories tied to cards (for example, the Van Gogh promo Pikachu With Grey Felt Hat) can increase value and demand, too.
To deepen your Pokemon TCG knowledge, make sure to brush up on Special Conditions and stalling techniques, as well as the different categories of cards like ACE SPECs and Trainer cards. Understanding game mechanics can help to strengthen your overall knowledge of this vibrant TCG.
