21 most expensive & rarest Pokemon cards ever
Pokemon cards have gained tremendous popularity and monetary value in the past few years as people have literally spent millions of dollars on them. Here’s a list of the 21 most expensive and rarest Pokemon cards ever sold in the market.
The first Pokemon trading card appeared in 1996 and over 43 billion cards have been sold worldwide since then. The value of these cards has also skyrocketed with some cards selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auctions.
From rarity to condition, there are many factors that make a Pokemon card valuable. While the majority of cards in the world aren’t expensive at all, a handful of them can even help the seller get millions. This explains why celebrities like Logan Paul and Logic have spent hefty amounts to add rare Pokemon cards to their collections.
On that note, here’s a list of the 21 most expensive and rarest Pokemon cards ever.
21 most expensive Pokemon Cards in 2023
21. Charizard Gold Star Holo Dragons Frontier
- Release date: 2006
- Highest value of the card at auction: $25,400
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
In perfect condition, the Charizard Gold Star from the 2006 Pokemon EX Dragon Frontiers was sold for over $25,000 dollars in an auction. As per PWCC, it is one of the only 91 cards that received a 10 PSA rating during grading.
On top of that, the card features a shining Charizard which naturally helped in boosting its price even further. Ash’s unique bonding with his Charizard has created such a long-lasting impact on fans that even after decades, the Fire-type beast is more popular than some Legendary Pokemon.
20. Pokemon World Championship Master Key
- Release date: 2010
- Highest value of the card at auction: $26,900
- Grade: BGS 9
Only 36 Master Key trophy cards were made for the 2010 Pokemon World Championship and one of those cards somehow made it to an auction. Considering its prominence and rarity, the card sold for $26,900 as per PWCC.
Despite being over a decade old, the 2010 Pokemon World Championship Mastery Key card is of exceptional quality. It boasts a BGS 9 rating and sits comfortably in a Beckett 9 holder.
19. Neo Summer Battle Road Number 2 Trainer
- Release date: 2002
- Highest value of the card at auction: $34,100
- Grade: BGS 7.5
Back in 2002, Fukunishi Tomoki won the Kanto Summer Battle Road tournament in Junior division and received the Neo Summer Battle Road Number 2 Trainer trophy. Interestingly, this was the last prize card ever with the winner’s name and region printed on it.
The Neo Summer card has received a BGS 7.5 rating which is too good to be real for its age. For all these reasons, it went for over $34,000 in a 2021 auction.
18. Daisuki Club Holo Masters Scroll Promo
- Release date: 2010
- Highest value of the card at auction: $35,200
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
In 2010, the Daisuki Club organized a promotional event where people could collect points and redeem rewards. The best item in the prize pool that you could get by redeeming 8,600 points was the Holo Masters Scroll promo card. Yes, accumulating 8,600 points was a very difficult task and this card is as rare as it sounds.
When PWCC auctioned the 2010 Daisuki Club Master’s Scroll Promo trophy in November 2021, it sold for $35,200 and stole the show.
17. Shadowless Holo Chansey #3 PSA 10 GEM Mint
- Release date: 1999
- Highest value of the card at auction: $36,877
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
The Shadowless Holo version of Chansey is one of the oldest cards on this list. It belongs to the Base Set from 1999 and features the most popular TCG artwork.
- Read More: How to restart Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Chansey has frequently appeared in the Pokemon anime. Even though it isn’t as famous as Blastoise, Charizard, or Pikachu, the Pokemon has been Nurse Joy’s constant companion and fans are hit with nostalgia every time they see it.
The Chansey card from the Base Set in GEM Mint 10 condition is undoubtedly a rare find. Hence, in a 2020 auction by PWCC, it sold for $36,877.
16. Blastoise 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set
- Release date: 1999
- Highest value of the card at auction: $45,100
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
If Chansey from the Base Set is worth over $35,000, it isn’t surprising to see that a Shadowless Blastoise 1st Edition card from that set sold for $45,100 in an auction. There are only 98 1st Edition copies in the world, and finding one in PSA GEM Mint 10 condition adds to its value.
Blastoise has been a fan-favorite for ages, and the Blastoise 1st Edition Shadowless card selling for such a massive price solidified this claim.
15. Rayquaza Gold Star Holo Ex Deoxys
- Release date: 2005
- Highest value of the card at auction: $45,100
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
Gold Star cards have a low drop rate, and a Rayquaza Gold Star Holo card from the Pokemon EX Deoxys series was enough to intrigue a plethora of collectors in a 2020 auction. It sold for $45,100 and added to Rayquaza’s popularity.
- Read More: Best Metagross moveset in Pokemon Go
The artwork by Masakazu Fukuda makes this one of the best-looking Pokemon trading cards in history. Of course, the PSA GEM Mint 10 quality is like a cherry on top.
14. Tropical Mega Battle No.2 Trainer
- Release date: 1999
- Highest value of the card at auction: $50,300
- Grade: PSA Authentic
Unlike other cards on this list, the Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer has no grading and the PSA has simply confirmed its authenticity. Regardless, it is one of the most valuable cards in TCG’s history.
Obtaining the original Tropical Mega Battle cards is one of the hardest feats for any card collector because only 21 of them were made almost two decades back. The top three players from Japan’s Mega Battle tournament’s seven regions got these Exeggutor featuring cards and having an authentic variant is enough for you to bag over $50,000.
13. Venusaur Holo No Rarity Symbol set signed by Mitsuhiro Arita
- Release date: 1996
- Highest value of the card at auction: $55,000
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
As the second evolution of a starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur, Venusaur has always been a well-renowned Pokemon. It is one of the first Pokemon introduced to the world, and the Venusaur Holo No Rarity Symbol set is one of the first Pokemon cards ever made.
The Japanese 1st Edition Base Set had no rarity symbol, and only five of these cards have a PSA GEM Mint 10 rating. To make things even better, the card’s case has been signed by the artist Mitsuhiro Arita.
For all these reasons, the 1996 Pokemon Japanese Base Set No Rarity Symbol Holo Venusaur sold for $55,000 in a PWCC auction.
12. Summer Battle Road Mew Victory Orb trophy
- Release date: 1998
- Highest value of the card at auction: $60,000
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
During the 1998 Summer Battle Road competition, the Mew Victory Orb trophy card was a prize for top players. Only 16 of these cards have a PSA GEM Mint 10 rating. In a December 2020 auction, the final price of the card ended up at $60,000 after 51 bids.
11. Tropical Mega Batle Tropical Wind promo
- Release date: 1999
- Highest value of the card at auction: $65,100
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
The Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind promotional card is valuable for many reasons. For starters, it features fan-favorite Psyduck playing ukelele on a beach alongside Jigglypuff.
- Read More: Best Dragonite moveset in Pokemon Go
In 1999, a Tropical Mega Battle tournament in Hawaii invited fifty players from around the world. A wide range of Tropical Wind cards was handed out as prizes, including the Tropical Wind featuring Psyduck.
After 21 years, the card was up for grabs in a 2020 PWCC auction and it sold for $65,100 in GEM Mint condition.
10. Tamamushi University Magikarp promo trophy
- Release date: 1998
- Highest value of the card at auction: $66,100
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
Back in 1998, Shogakukan’s Magazines held a contest for Japanese school students. The ones with the highest scores received an invite to a Pokemon card battle tournament and the winners received the Tamamushi University Magikarp card promo.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that the 1998 University Magikarp is one of the rarest cards in TCG history. On Feb 28, 2021, it appeared in a PWCC auction and sold for $66,100.
9. Umbreon Gold Star Third Season
- Release date: 2005
- Highest value of the card at auction: $70,000
- Grade: BSG 9.5
Eevee and its eight evolutions have always amused the Pokemon community and we’ve already revealed how rare Gold Star cards are. This explains why an Umbreon Gold Star card is now worth $70,000.
- Read More: Best Gengar moveset in Pokemon Go
In the fourth season of Pokemon Player Club, trainers had to collect 70,000 XP Points by winning matches and attending events. Only a handful of players in the world have the original card, let alone in BGS 9.5 Mint condition.
8. Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer
- Release date: 1999
- Highest value of the card at auction: $90,000
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
The Pokemon Company hosted regional contests in Japan in 1999 and their winners met for the final battle in a secret location. To access this location, the trainers received a Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer card featuring Mewtwo’s hologram.
The PSA has only graded seven of these cards making them extremely rare. As a result, getting it in Mint condition is a dream for every trophy card collector.
In July 2020, the Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer promo card sold for a whopping $90,000.
7. Pokemon World Championships No. 2 trainer
- Release date: 2006
- Highest value of the card at auction: $110,000
- Grade: PSA – 9
The 2006 Pokemon World Championship in California issued three trophy cards for winners and only one of them has been on sale until February 2023. To get this card, you had to compete in a ton of eliminators and win the 32-player single-elimination main tournament.
- Read More: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Mystery Gift codes
A PSA-9 rating on such a rare card is almost unbelievable. It features Pikachu holding a Silver trophy and the message underneath invites the winner to the 2007 Championship as well.
In February 2021, the Pokemon World Championships No. 2 Trainer card finally appeared in a PWCC auction. It ended up selling for a mind-boggling $110,000.
6. Lugia Holo Neo Genesis 1st Edition
- Release date: 2000
- Highest value of the card at auction: $144,300
- Grade: BGS Pristine – 10
Lugia is one of the most popular Legendary Pokemon and its debut in the Trading Card Game certainly didn’t go unnoticed. The 2000 Neo Genesis 1st Edition Lugia cards have seen a massive surge in their value in the past few years.
There are 41 copies of this card with a PSA 10 rating. However, only three cards in the entire world have a BGS Pristine rating. One of them sold for an outrageous $144,300 in a PWCC auction.
5. Kangaskhan Family Event trophy card
- Release date: 1998
- Highest value of the card at auction: $150,000
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
In 1998, a special tournament in Japan required parents and their children to participate in Pokemon card battles. The winners received an adorable holo trophy card featuring a Kangaskhan and its baby in the pouch.
It is claimed that only 11 of these cards exist at the moment and the PSA GEM Mint 10 graded version is obviously rarer. Two of these cards last appeared in 2020 and sold for a grand amount of $150,000.
4. Ishihara GX – Promo signed by Ishihara
- Release date: 2017
- Highest value of the card at auction: $247,230
- Grade: PSA 7 and Autograph PSA 9
Interestingly, the fourth most expensive Pokemon card doesn’t even feature a Pokemon. Instead, it contains artwork of The Pokemon Company’s CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara.
The Ishihara GX- Promo was reportedly given to every employee who attended the CEO’s birthday bash in 2017. Naturally, not a lot of these cards are in circulation and a non-signed version sold for $50,000 in 2020.
However, the real show-stealer was a PSA 7 version with a PSA 9 autograph of none other than Tsunekazu Ishihara. The autograph skyrocketed the card’s value and in 2021, it sold for $247,230 at Gauldin Auctions after 31 bids.
3. Galaxy Star Holo Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation
- Release date: 1998
- Highest value of the card at auction: $360,000
- Grade: CGC 8.5
We might need to go down memory lane to understand the value of the Galaxy Star Holo Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation. The first Pokemon cards in the US were published by Wizards of the Coast before Nintendo transferred the publishing rights to The Pokemon Company in 2003.
- Read More: How to beat Arlo in Pokemon Go
What makes this Blastoise card so special is the fact that it is a presentation variant. It was only made to give retailers a description of how a TCG card would look after final printing.
Reports suggest that only two Galaxy Star Holo Blastoise cards exist in the world and both have different backs. This arguably makes them the rarest cards ever and when one of them appeared at Heritage Auctions, a collector could not help but purchase it for $360,000.
2. Charizard 1st Edition Base Set
- Release date: 1999
- Highest value of the card at auction: $420,000
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
Premium Pokemon card collections often contain a 1st Edition Charizard card from the Base Set. However, over the years, the price of this card has touched new highs, thanks to celebrities like Logic spending $226,000 on it.
Prominent YouTuber Logan Paul flaunted his BGS 10 Pristine Charizard card before stepping into the ring with Floyd Mayweather which further added to the card’s immense popularity.
Although Logan Paul claimed that his variant is worth $1,000,000, the highest bid for it was seen in a PWCC auction in 2022. It sold for $420,000. There are over 3000 copies of a 1st Edition Charizard and only 121 of them have a PSA 10 grading.
1. Corocoro Comics Illustrator Japanese promo
- Release date: 1998
- Highest value of the card at auction: $6,000,000
- Grade: PSA GEM Mint 10
The Pikachu Illustrator card is the rarest and most expensive Pokemon card ever by a mile. In 1997, the winners of an art competition were granted this card by CoroCoro.
In the past few years, the Pikachu Illustrator Japanese promo card has witnessed a massive increase in its price. So much so that a PSA 7 card sold for $375,000 during a PWCC Auction.
- Read More: How to beat Giovanni in Pokemon Go
Another major bump in the card’s value was seen when Logan Paul wore it on his Wrestlemania debut. The YouTuber claimed that he purchased it for $6,000,000 and it’s unlikely we’ll see a bigger Pokemon card deal in the near future.
Only twenty Pikachu Illustrator cards exist in the world, and owning one can instantly make you a millionaire.
Well, these are the most expensive and rarest cards in the world. For similar content, you can check out the strongest Pokemon ranked list, the best attackers in Pokemon Go, and the best Eevee evolutions in Pokemon Go.
Image Credits: Nintendo / The Pokemon Company / PWCC / PSA (Professional Sports Authority) / Beckett Grading Services