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My younger self never imagined how valuable all those colorful Pokemon cards were. I was only ever happy to get my favorite Charmander buddy. If I knew, more of them would have survived my childhood. It’s likely, however, that the most expensive Pokemon cards never graced my home. These rare gems are the cards you’ll brag about owning until the end of time. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll never see or touch them. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them from a distance, right?
What is the Most Expensive Pokemon Card?
Pokemon trading cards always seem to stay in style. For over a decade, they’ve grown beyond their original gaming purpose. Many collect them for the sake of having them, for showing them off. The most expensive Pokemon cards are worthy of both. If you’re in the business of collecting, then prepare to shell out thousands. This isn’t a cheap hobby, after all.
Below are 15 of the most valuable ones to date. Don’t let the price put you off, though. Always dream big, even for the unobtainable.
15. Umbreon Gold Star Holo
- Release Date: 2005
- Grading: BGS 9.5
- Value at Auction: $70,000
Who doesn’t enjoy all of Eevee’s unique evolutions? A Pokemon trading card like this one is bound to become a hotly contested one to own. And Umbreon seems so dignified, prancing around. The pocket monster looks less like it’s attacking and more like it’s posing, and that couldn’t be more perfect. Back in the early 2000s, players had to work hard to earn this card. Now, you just need a few grand to become the proud owner. No big deal, right?
14. No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle
- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Value at Auction: $90,000
It wasn’t dubbed the “Super Secret Battle” without reason. This expensive Pokemon card was only rewarded to those contestants who made it to the secretive competition in ’99. The air of mystery surrounding it already gives it a compelling story that anyone would want to talk about. But it also looks so cool in such a simple way. Talk about owning a work of art in card form.
13. Extra Battle Day Full Art Lillie
- Release Date: 2019
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Value at Auction: $108,000
It’s tough to get rarer than this Pokemon card. The only way you could get it was by earning a chance to draw it out of an exclusive booster pack. But that’s not what makes this one so special. What helped is the “Waifu card tax,” which sees collectors adding more value to anything with women on it. Regardless of that, Lillie’s looks are as sweet as her personality, and she makes a great addition to any collector’s books.
12. Pokemon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer
- Release Date: 2006
- Grading: PSA 9
- Value at Auction: $110,100
Nothing can quite give you the euphoria of victory than Pikachu holding a trophy. This Pokemon card is one you’ll want to show off in the books. You won’t see it up for auction often, though. This is because it’s the very definition of “rare.” It was only given to winners in the 2006 World Championship, which means only a handful exists. It’ll be a surprise to ever see one up for auction again.
11. Snap Magikarp
- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA Authentic
- Value at Auction: $136,000
Although not the most expensive Pokemon cards, the rarity is almost unmatched. In just 2022, it resurfaced after many believed it was gone forever. It originally began as part of a promotion by CoroCoro Magazine. When it did sell at auction, it was most likely for the first time. Can you picture scoring a card that no one else purchased before since its ’99 release date? You couldn’t stop me from bragging about it.
10. Toshiyuki Yamaguchi No. 2 Trainer Card
- Release Date: 2000
- Grading: PSA 8
- Value at Auction: $137,500
Out of all the Pokemon cards you could collect, sometimes owning a one-of-a-kind is all you need. That’s precisely what this card is. It was created purely as a gift for the second-place winner of the 2000 Japanese World Summer Challenge. Despite the top three competitors earning exclusive cards, only this one landed a CGC grade. The image is charming and easily reflects your average Pokemon fan.
9. Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia
- Release Date: 2000
- Grading: BGS Pristine 10
- Value at Auction: $144,300
Lugia is popular in its own right, especially when the Legendary soared onto the scene in Pokemon Silver. Even today it’s still praised, so of course the Pokemon would be on one of the most expensive cards. A ridiculous notion about this one is that it features the Pristine grade, which is notoriously difficult to snag. That helped explode this card in popularity that doesn’t seem to be dimming anytime soon.
8. Kangaskhan Holo Family Event Trophy
- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Value at Auction: $175,000
The background concerning this Pokemon card is simply sweet. It required a parent-child combo to participate in TCG battles. Fitting because the artwork of Kangaskhan features its baby in its pouch. It’s a loving example of how generational Pokemon is, and the fact that it auctions for such a steep price highlights how the family aspect won’t be dimming anytime soon.
7. Ishihara GX Promo Card – Autographed
- Release Date: 2017
- Grading: PSA 7 | Autographed 9
- Value at Auction: $247,230
This is not a Pokemon card many would go to at first glance, but the unique piece has held firm in the top 10 most expensive ones. Not only does it feature Pokemon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara, but he signed this one. That instantly propelled its value among avid collectors, and they did not disappoint when it landed in the auction house in 2021. It’s yet another one-of-a-kind card any fan would love to have.
6. Bronze Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Trophy
- Release Date: 1997
- Grading: PSA 8
- Value at Auction: $300,000
What better way to commemorate the first TCG tournament in 1997 than with a Pikachu-themed card? Anyone could see why this is one of the more expensive Pokemon cards, thanks to the fact that out of the dozens made, PSA only graded four. Of course, that includes this one. You can have a piece of history in your hands if you ever manage to come up with an extraordinary amount of money if it hits auction again.
5. Blastoise Presentation Galaxy Star Holo
- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: CGC 8.5
- Value at Auction: $360,000
Despite its ‘98 release date, the public discovered this card just in 2021. Its full history is still a little blurry, but there’s no denying its value as one of the most expensive Pokemon cards. The piece is historic at this point. It’s even believed to be one of two ever created. Will you ever own one? The likelihood is slim. But this classic Pokemon is always nice to look at.
4. Shadowless 1st Edition Holo Charizard #4
- Release Date: 1999
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Value at Auction: $420,000
Charizard was always one of the top Pokemon back in the ‘90s. This glorious creature has been my favorite since I first laid eyes on the pocket monsters as a kid. Owning a 1st edition card would be a dream come true. Initially priced around $200,000 thanks to the rapper Logic, the value doubled by 2022 in a way not many expected. It still has a ways to go, but Charizard is sure to move up in price in the future.
3. Pikachu Silver Trophy
- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Value at Auction: $444,000
Now, we’re getting into the rarest and costliest cards in existence. Pikachu proudly clutching a silver trophy is something you don’t think you need until you witness it. The popular and lovable pocket monster looks so gleeful on that podium, perhaps as much as the second-place winner the card was given to. Since only a few were made, and this is the only one with a Gem Mint grade, it’s highly pursued in the collector’s market.
2. Topsun Charizard Blue Back
- Release Date: 1995
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Value at Auction: $493,230
Widely believed to be part of the first card set ever released, Charizard continues to prove why it and its evolutionary line are my favorite monsters. It looks incredible in a simple yet fiery pose, instantly transporting you back to the ’90s, where it all began. What helps this stand out is the fact that it’s based on the anime version of it. Not many these days can claim well-preserved artwork from that time.
1. Pikachu Illustrator Card
- Release Date: 1998
- Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
- Value at Auction: $5.275 million
The most expensive Pokemon card known to date easily scales millions, and of course it features the most recognized pocket monster Pikachu. It steadily sold above $100,000 for years. However, it recently exploded in value, soaring beyond millions before any of us could even realize what was happening. Influencer Logan Paul boasts acquired it back in 2022, showing it off during WrestleMania. This card remains the rarest of them all, and with that price point, it won’t lose that title in the near future.
And those are the priciest Pokemon cards so far. As values change, things can always fluctuate. In the meantime, we can all sit back and admire the cards that we will probably never own. It’s always a pleasant dream, though.
