Alex "Raoom" Sukhanov Undoubtedly, many of you have a stack of Pokémon cards that were tucked away somewhere, possibly since childhood. And how delightful it is to take them out, touch them, breathe in their scent, and momentarily transport oneself back to the past. For many, this will be their true value.
Image: pokewolfshop.com
However, for some, the value lies in the most expensive Pokémon cards. Our article will be dedicated to these 20 rare Pokémon cards. Let's take a look at what they look like and how much they cost.
Crystal Charizard Holo Skyridge
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $25,100
Back in 2003, interest in Pokémon cards began to wane among long-time fans. As a result, the production of the Skyridge set declined, especially compared to previous years. Due to the reduced production, the retro set became rare and most expensive.
Naturally, Charizard is the main star. A rare variant of this card was made with a holographic design. Even at its release, this Pokémon card was limited, making it very valuable. Imagine how fans felt, wanting to acquire such a luxury. In the fall of 2022, it sold for $25,100.
Charizard Gold Star Holo Dragon Frontiers
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $25,405
Here's another golden star in our selection of the most expensive Pokémon cards. We present to you Charizard from Dragon Frontiers, valued at over $25,000. An impressive price, as with all other valuable Pokémon cards here.
Charizard Gold Star Holo Dragon Frontiers quickly became popular among fans because the card features a shiny Charizard, which is already a rarity. The rare Kanto ‘mon variant adds even more uniqueness and value. Look at this cool drawing: fire is depicted around the Pokémon.
Neo Summer Battle Road Number 2 Trainer Trophy
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $34,100
The Neo Summer Battle Road tournament, held in 2002, featured the best TCG players. Those who secured second place were awarded the No. 2 Trainer trophy card.
This Trainer card has a particular feature: if you look closely, you can see the participant's name—Fukunishi Tomoki. Essentially, this card is personalized, making it unique.
Daisuki Club Holo Masters Scroll Promo
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $35,200
An organization named Pokémon Daisuki sold players exclusive and rare merchandise, including Pokémon Trading Cards. To acquire this treasure, players had to register, participate in unique events that awarded them points, which were then exchanged for items. The most coveted and hardest-to-obtain reward was the Masters Scroll Pokémon card. To secure it, one needed to amass a total of 8,600 points.
Due to the difficulty of obtaining and its scarcity, this reward is recognized as extremely rare over the entire 25-year history of the TCG.
Mysterious Mountains Crystal Charizard
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $40,800
We're not straying far from Charizard, as there is the most valuable Pokémon card with this character, released in 2002. Perhaps you remember the Game Boy Advance e-reader? If you don't know what that is, we'll explain now.
This device, which was of substantial size, connected to the portable console. After that, gamers could play mini-games and also receive additional content using special cards. The creators of Pokémon couldn't miss out on this, so they developed Pokémon cards that users could scan. This is the rarest Pokémon card of its kind.
Torchic Gold Star Holo Team Rocket Returns
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $50,000
Continuing our selection of expensive Pokémon cards, next up is Torchic Gold Star Holo Team Rocket Returns. In 2004, TPC released a limited edition of Gold Star Pokémon cards.
Due to the immense popularity of the Hoenn Fire-type starter, Torchic gained the status of a rare Pokémon card released in 2004. In 2021, it was sold for $50,000.
Umbreon Gold Star Holo
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $70,000
Eevee and its evolutions are among the most beloved characters in the Pokémon franchise. It's no surprise that this card became one of the most sought-after among fans. It couldn't simply be obtained at will. Players had to accumulate over 70,000 experience points.
No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $90,000
In the last year of the twentieth century, the Pokémon Company held competitions. Winners received this card, which granted them access to the finals held at a secret location.
The card became the dream of many fans, as it featured Mewtwo. In 2020, it was sold at auction for a hefty sum of $90,000. This is hardly surprising, as this card is considered the most valuable.
Extra Battle Day Full Art Lillie
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $108,000
Look at the price, then at the image of this card. You might wonder why it's so expensive? I think not, but we'll explain anyway. It was sold in 2023 for $108,000 because it is very rare. The Extra Battle Day Full Art Lillie could not simply be bought; it could only be obtained from an exclusive booster pack distributed at the Extra Battle Day event.
To get it, participants had to compete in contests. In the finals, players also had to win a game of rock, paper, scissors to have their chance at pulling Lillie.
Pokémon World Championships No. 2 Trainer Promo
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $110,100
Finalists of the 2006 Pokémon World Championships received this card. It is believed that only 3 copies were awarded, but this particular copy is considered the only one graded by PSA.
In the winter of 2021, it sold for a whopping $110,100. Although the Pokémon World Championships No. 2 Trainer Promo is not considered the most coveted trophy card, its value is astronomical.
No.2 Trainer Toshiyuki Yamaguchi
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $137,500
This is truly a unique piece that many fans would surely love to own. The card was awarded to Toshiyuki Yamaguchi when he took 2nd place in the "World Summer Challenge Secret Super Battle-Best In Japan". All participants who won prizes received a card. What makes this Pokémon card so unique is that it actually features the trainer's name.
Until Heritage Auctions purchased it, no one had seen what was depicted on it. In 2023, the No.2 Trainer Toshiyuki Yamaguchi sold for $137,500.
Lugia 1st Edition Neo Genesis
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $144,300
Lugia became popular for many people, making the first edition super popular and thus super expensive in 2021.
For collectors, the Lugia 1st Edition Neo Genesis is a true treasure, which is why its price is so high.
Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $175,000
The Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy continues our lineup of the most expensive Pokémon cards. You see a magnificent illustration of Kangaskhan with its baby, adorned with holographic sparkles.
Initially, 2 copies were sold for $150,000 in the fall of 2020, but in 2023 everything changed, and they were sold for a record $175,000. Perhaps, the price will increase even further in the future.
Ishihara GX Promo (Autographed)
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $247,230
The story behind this Pokémon card is quite interesting. First, it features Tsunekazu Ishihara, the CEO and president of the Pokémon Company. Second, the lucky recipients of the card featuring him were employees present at his birthday party in 2017.
Initially, the Ishihara GX Promo (Autographed) was sold for just $50,000 in 2020, but 2021 brought changes. That year, the card sold for $247,230.
Trophy Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $300,000
If the previous price seemed insane, then the Trophy Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze will definitely surprise you with its cost of $300,000.
The first Pokémon TCG tournament took place in 1997. Participants who won prizes received a trophy Pikachu card.
It is known that these cards were printed in a run of less than 100 copies, making them valuable, rare, and extremely expensive.
Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Holo
Image: Ensiplay
Cost: $360,000
Everyone was shocked when this card was revealed to the public in 2021. There are many rumors and legends surrounding it, for example, it's believed that only 2 copies were issued. And here, one of them was shown.
This card is steeped in antiquity, as the back side features the inscription Magic: The Gathering. It's believed that this phrase is missing on the second copy.
Of course, it's a collector's dream and a fan's dream simultaneously, so one of them didn’t hesitate to pay $360,000 for it in 2021.
Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $420,000
Charizard has always been the crown jewel for many children of the '90s. The hope of obtaining this coveted card never faded, and it was once available for a small amount of money. This version is so early that it even lacks the shadow around the edges.
However, over the years, everything changed. In 2020, the rapper Logic paid more than $226,000 for a 1st Edition Grade 10 Charizard. But just two months later, another auction participant was willing to pay $350,000. An hour later, a new record was set at $369,000. And it seemed like it could end there, but in 2022, someone bought the Base Set First Edition Shadowless Charizard for $420,000.
Promo Trophy Pikachu Silver 2nd Tournament
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $444,000
As you can see, this card features Pikachu holding a silver trophy. It was awarded to a participant for second place in the first international Lizardon Mega Battle tournament.
In the fall of 2023, a copy was sold for almost half a million dollars.
Topsun Charizard Blue Back
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $493,230
Interesting fact: The Topsun Charizard Blue Back was released in a bubble gum box. Strangely enough, the high price is not because of its rarity but because it was created by Topsun, which made some of the first Pokémon cards. The artwork is based on the anime version of Charizard.
If it was possible to buy it in 2023 for $493,230, the minimum price is now half a million dollars.
Illustrator CoroCoro Comics Promo
Image: Ensiplay
- Cost: $5,275,000
No, we did not make a mistake with the zeros. No, you are not seeing things. The price for this card is indeed over five million dollars! Think about these insane figures!
In 1997, CoroCoro held an art competition where winners were given the stunning item that depicts Pikachu adorably drawing other monsters.
Initially, this card was sold for just $900,000, but literally a year later, it was purchased for $5,275,000.
These are all the rarest and most expensive Pokémon cards. Each one is unique. The price is indeed shocking, but it does not deter collectors. They are willing to pay big money to possess such treasures.
Main image by Ensiplay
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