Top 10 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards (2024): The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has become a lucrative franchise, with rare Pokémon cards fetching incredible prices. For instance, 2021 witnessed a renewed interest in the game and its cards led to some cards’ values skyrocketing to thousands of dollars. These cards were once worth almost nothing but have been traded and auctioned off for incredible sums of money.
Although wild market fluctuations have cooled, some cards have joined the lineup of the highest sales in 2022 and 2023, holding the record for the most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold. Although rare Japanese cards continue to appear, there are still rare cards released outside of Japan. It’s worth checking your collection just in case, as information about the price paid or received may impact future deals.
Top 15 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards (2024)
1. Illustrator Pikachu
- Year Released: 1998
- Sold for $5.275 million in July 2021
In July 2021, YouTuber Logan Paul purchased the Pikachu Illustrator for $5.275 million, setting a Guiness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale. The rare card was given to winners of promo contests in 1997 and 1998 by Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic.
The total number of Pikachu Illustrator copies in existence is 41. The PSA 10 Illustrator Pikachu was made in English for the April 2000 issue of CoroCoro magazine. However, the $5.25 million price tag is questionable due to its marketing gimmick for “Liquid Marketplace,” where users can co-own the card using NFTs.
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2. Topsun Charizard Blue Back
- Year Released: 1997
- Sold for $493,230 in January 2021
The Topsun Charizard Blue Back card is one of the most expensive pokemon cards in the world. It features Charizard on the front and text and was printed by Topsun before Creatures Inc. developed the official Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Rumors suggest it was distributed in Japan in 1997, but only 31 remain. In January 2021, a PSA 10 version of the blue-backed, unnumbered Topsun Charizard card sold for $493,230 (£392,325) at auction. This demonstrates that even unofficial products can be valuable for some.
3. First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard #4
- Year Released: 1998
- Sold for $420,000 in March 2022
The Shadowless Holographic Charizard, a rare and valuable Pokémon card, was sold for $420,000 at auction on PWCC in March 2022. The Shadowless Charizard is the second-most expensive pokemon cards ever, with a PSA Grading of Gem Mint 10. It stands out as one of the most iconic and important cards to both the Pokémon franchise and its die-hard fans.
The card’s lack of a shadow beneath Charizard, a printing error that was corrected later, makes it even more rare. Auction house Iconic Auctions calls the rare card “the Holy Grail of Pokémon cards.”
4. Commissioned Presentation Blastoise Galaxy Star Holo
- Year Released: 1998
- Sold for $360,000 in January 2021
The Commissioned Presentation Blastoise is a rare and sought-after Pokémon card created in 1998 by Wizards of the Coast to convince Nintendo of Japan executives to handle the English-language release of the TCG. Graded at a NM/Mint+ 8.5 level by CGC, it is in near-perfect condition.
The only other Blastoise ‘Presentation’ card has been seen publicly, and its location and state remain unknown. The Commissioned Presentation Blastoise became one of the most valuable Pokémon cards of all time after being sold at auction in January 2021 for $360,000 (£266,000). The rarity of each card is evident in the “For Position Only” cards printed prior to the Expedition E-reader set.
5. Trophy Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze
- Year Released: 1997
- Sold for $300,000 in April 2023
The Bronze Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Trophy card, awarded to runners-up in the first Pokémon tournament in 1997, is extremely rare due to its limited existence. The card features Pikachu holding a trophy against a holographic bronze background, created by artist Mitsuhiro Arita.
One rare card was sold at a recent auction for $300,000 (£238,692), making it one of the most expensive Pokémon cards ever featured in a public auction. The other three cards may also be available for sale in the future.
6. Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card
- Year Released: 2017
- Sold for $247,230 in April 2021
On April 26th, 2021, a very rare card honoring Pokémon creator and current president Tsunekazu Ishihara’s 60th birthday brought in close to a quarter of a million dollars at auction.
The card, which has Ishihara’s signature, is proof of the authority of the Pokémon CEO. The “2017 P.M. SM Black Star #TPCi01 Tsunekazu Ishihara Signed Pokémon GX Promo Card” includes the “Red Chanchanko” ability and the legendary “60 Congratulations” GX move.
Ishihara’s strength and his capacity to safeguard the employees of his business are attested to by the card.
7. Test Print Blastoise Gold Border
- Year Released: 1998
- Sold for $216,000 in July 2021
The Test Print Blastoise is one of the oldest and rarest Pokémon cards. It is regarded as one of WotC’s first attempts to create English-language Pokémon cards. Sharp edges, a back, a gold border, a foil front, and an unusual typeface are all present.
The cards’ distinctive features made it difficult to establish their veracity. The Blastoise and other MTG cards were on a test sheet that CGC employed together with cutting-edge forensic technologies. This card, one of just five that CGC has rated, sold for $216,000 in July 2021, making it one of the most expensive pokemon cards around.
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8. Family Event Trophy Kangaskhan
- Year Released: 1998
- Sold for $175,000 in July 2023
The Kangaskhan trophy card, released in May 1998, was awarded to participants in the 1998 Parent/Child Mega Battle tournament in Japan. It is one of the rarest promotional Pokémon cards featuring the original Pocket Monsters Trading Card Game logo as its set symbol.
Only three copies have been sold in the last two decades, making it one of the rarest and most expensive pokemon cards ever made. A Gem Mint 10 PSA graded Kangaskhan-Holo #115 was sold on eBay for over $175,000, making it one of the most valuable Pokémon cards in recent years.
9. Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer
- Year Released: 1999
- Sold for $156,000 in September 2022
This unique card, awarded to seven regional winners of the Super Secret Battle tournament, features a text stating “The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament’s champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. By presenting this card, you may gain preferential entry into the Secret Super Battle.”
The tournament was held in Tokyo on August 22, 1999. With only seven regional winners, there are only seven copies of this card in existence. PSA has a total population of eight, with six being PSA 10s and two being PSA 9s.
This rare Pokémon card has seen significant appreciation in recent years, with the most recent public sale being $156,000 in September 2022 from Heritage Auctions.
10. Neo Genesis 1st Edition Lugia
- Year Released: 2000
- Sold for $144,300 in May 2021
The Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia sold for $144,300 in May 2021, becoming one of the most expensive pokemon cards ever. The card’s tougher grading system used by Beckett Grading Services contained 9.5s, with only three BGS 10 copies available.
The Lugia was notoriously hard to grade due to typos and inconsistencies in early printings. Only three cards received the highest Beckett Grading Services BGS 10 Pristine rating, out of 41 PSA evaluated as Gem Mint 10 condition.
11. No.2 Trainer Toshiyuki Yamaguchi (2000)
- Year Released: 2000
- Sold for $137,500 in July 2023
This unique Pokémon card, No.2 Trainer Toshiyuki Yamaguchi, was awarded to Toshiyuki Yamguchi in 2000 for second place in the “World Summer Challenge Secret Super Battle-Best In Japan.” Heritage Auctions acquired this card, which was never seen before.
Despite being a CGC 8, it sold for $137,500 on July 7, 2023. The card’s beauty and rarity make it a standout among the list.
12. Pokémon Snap Magikarp Card
- Year Released: 1999
- Sold for $136,000 in February 2023
The Pokémon Snap Magikarp card, a prize for winning a photography competition in the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap, has only appeared once since its creation. It sold for $136,000 in a Japanese auction, making it an even more impressive display than the Tamamushi University card.
13. Pokémon World Championships No. 2 Trainer Promo
- Year Released: 2006
- Sold for $110,100 in February 2023
The 2006 No. 2 Trainer is a rare Pokémon card, with only three copies believed to exist. It was awarded to finalists in the 2006 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California, and features Pikachu holding a silver trophy with a holographic pattern.
The card’s rarity and value make it close to the legendary No. 1 Trainer, making it one of Pokémon’s most sought-after cards. Despite being graded in a PSA 9, it sold for $110,100 on PWCC in February 2021.
This rare and valuable item is rare, as trophy cards are typically sold in private transactions.
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14. Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer
- Year Released: 1999
- Sold for $90,000 in July 2020
No.1 Trainer is a rare Pokémon card that combines rarity, scarcity, and secrecy to create a level of mystique. It was awarded to finalists of the 1999 Secret Super Battle Tournament and serves as an entry ticket to the finals. Only seven copies were made, and one was sold at auction for $90,000 in 2020.
The card features a silhouetted Mewtwo and translates to “The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament’s champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. By presenting this card, you may gain preferential entry into the Secret Super Battle.”
15. Gyarados Pokémon Snap best photo contest
- Year Released: 1999
- Sold for $87,500 in July 2023
This Gyarados card, a special version of Base Set Gyarados, was one of ten successful entries in the 1999 Pokémon Snap photo contest. Heritage Auctions sold a copy for $87,500 in 2023, with only 15 copies created.
It’s unclear how many of these prizewinning cards remain, making this rare sea beastie. The picture’s recognizability is only possible if the Gyarados are already recognized.
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