Top 10 most valuable Pokémon cards of all time

Introduction

Imagine flipping through your old Pokémon trading cards and suddenly finding a card so rare it's worth a small fortune. What was once a schoolyard trade has evolved into a highly competitive collectible market. In recent years, the value of Pokémon cards has exploded—influencers like Logan Paul have further fueled the hype by spending millions on individual cards. In this post, we'll take you on a journey through time and present the top 10 most valuable Pokémon cards of all time. Dive into the stories behind these cards – maybe there's a treasure hidden in your shoebox!

The top 10 most valuable Pokémon cards of all time

1st Place: Pikachu Illustrator (CoroCoro Promo 1997) – $5,275,000

The undisputed throne is held by a card most people can only dream of: the Pikachu Illustrator card. It is often called the "holy grail" of Pokémon card collections—and rightly so. This card was awarded in Japan in late 1997 to the winners of a drawing contest held by CoroCoro Comics magazine. Children could submit their own Pokémon card designs, and the best illustrators received this special card featuring their Pikachu with a fountain pen as a prize. Officially, the card is called "Pokémon Illustrator," but since Pikachu is depicted on it, the name has become common. It is estimated that a maximum of 39 copies exist, of which approximately 20-24 cards are known to exist today. . No other Pokémon card was produced in such a small edition.

The value of this card is beyond all dimensions. Back in 2019, before the big hype, a copy fetched around $243,000 at auction. Amid the Corona Pokémon boom, an illustrator gained further ground in February 2021 , raising around $375,000 from PWCC But then came February 2022 : At an auction by Goldin Auctions, the sound barrier fell – a PSA 7 -rated Pikachu Illustrator was sold for 900,000 US dollars . It was the most expensive Pokémon card in the world at the time.

And yet, this record was still to be broken. YouTuber Logan Paul , himself a huge Pokémon fan, was determined to own a PSA 10 copy (the only one in the world). In July 2021, he traded in a PSA 9 Illustrator + $4 million in cash—effectively valuing the PSA 10 card at $5.275 million. Guinness World Records confirmed this private deal as the most expensive Pokémon card sale of all time . Logan Paul proudly presented the card at WrestleMania, worn in a gold necklace, to an audience of millions. . However, this purchase also sparked controversy: Some collectors doubted whether the price really reflected the fair market value, or whether Paul had deliberately inflated the value. . The fact is: no other piece of cardboard with Pikachu on it has ever come close to this amount.

The average retail value is difficult to estimate with so few sales – adding up all known deals, you get roughly over $1 million on average, and the trend is rising. But each Pikachu Illustrator is truly unique, and the price is ultimately a matter of negotiation between hardcore collectors. Interestingly, Logan Paul announced in early 2025 that he would be parting with his copy. It will be interesting to see whether a new buyer will confirm or even surpass the record price. The Pikachu Illustrator card remains the most expensive Pokémon card in the world – and its story, from the drawing contest in the 90s to the multi-million dollar deal in the social media age, is truly like a fairytale for trading card fans.

2nd place: Charizard 1st Edition (Base Set 1999) – $369,000

No top list would be complete without Charizard — the flagship of all Pokémon cards. The holographic 1st Edition Charizard from the 1999 Base Set is arguably the most famous trading card of all. Many collectors today remember dreaming of drawing this "fire-breathing dragon" as a child. Now, that dream has turned into a nightmare for many a wallet: A flawless copy of this card has become incredibly valuable. But how did this happen?

For one thing, Charizard is incredibly popular as a Pokémon, and for another, the 1st Edition (with the "First Edition" stamp) was only available in the very first printing run. PSA 10 (perfect condition) cards are extremely rare—there are currently around 120 such copies worldwide. In 2020, the Charizard hype reached its peak: American rapper Logic, for example, fulfilled a childhood dream and bought a PSA 10 Charizard for $220,000 in October 2020. This purchase made headlines, but it was soon surpassed. On December 12, 2020, a bidder paid $350,100 for another Charizard in perfect condition at a PWCC auction. And as if that weren't enough, just hours later another copy was sold—this time for a record price of $369,000 . Two record prices in one night—that showed just how crazy the market was.

This value of 369k is the highest officially confirmed sale price for Charizard to date. On average, several sales in the $200,000–$300,000 range were recorded during the 2021 peak. . Prices are now around 200k or slightly lower, as the supply (120 pieces is relatively “a lot” for a top card) has somewhat saturated the collector market Nevertheless, Charizard remains the most iconic and expensive Pokémon card in the regular set range. Any card that appears in mint condition in a child's bedroom today could literally be worth a house. Incredible, isn't it? Charizard's popularity and nostalgia factor ensure that this card will likely never lose its appeal – regardless of whether the price rises or falls.

3rd place: Blastoise WotC Presentation Card (Prototype 1998) – $360,000

Now it gets historic: In third place is a card that isn't actually a regular card at all, but a prototype that was never intended for sale. We're talking about the Blastoise Presentation Card from 1998. Before the Pokémon Trading Card Game launched in the US, the manufacturer Wizards of the Coast (WotC) wanted to demonstrate to Nintendo what the English cards might look like. So they printed several prototypes – including this Blastoise (Blastoise) with a Galaxy hologram and some missing design elements. Some of these prototypes even had the back of a Magic: The Gathering card, since no final Pokémon back design was available. . It is believed that only 2–4 such Blastoise test prints exist.

This unfinished card has no English text, but instead features Blastoise's image and layout as a sample. A few copies found their way into collectors' hands years later and were long considered mythological. Only in 2021 was one of these holy grails professionally graded by CGC and offered at Heritage Auctions. The result: In January 2021, the Blastoise prototype fetched a price of $360,000 At the time, that was the highest price ever paid for a Pokémon card (later surpassed only by the Charizard hype and Pikachu Illustrator). This card is practically priceless because it appears so rarely—its value is best measured by the last record paid. The story of how this card came to be—as a showcase for Pokémon cards in toy stores to show "this is what the TCG should look like"—makes it a unique witness to Pokémon history. Blastoise is therefore an absolute treasure for collectors, not only because of its high price, but also because of its fascinating background.

4th place: Ishihara GX Promo (2017) – $247,230

This card stands out from the list because it doesn't depict a Pokémon, but a real person : Tsunekazu Ishihara, the president of the Pokémon Company. The Ishihara GX promo card was produced to celebrate Ishihara's 60th birthday. . It was never publicly available , but a pure insider thank you: At Ishihara's private birthday party during the 2018 Pokémon World Championship in Nashville, it was distributed to employees and guests. It is estimated that there are between 30 and 200 copies of this map in existence – exact numbers are unknown, which of course only adds to the myth.

The card's artwork depicts Ishihara in cartoon form with a Master Ball and his favorite Pokémon, Snorlax, in the background (as well as his autograph, if signed). The play values ​​are humorous—for example, the attack "60 Congratulations!" has no serious play value. It was clear: This card was intended to be a unique keepsake. However, a few copies found their way to collectors. In April 2020, retailer Collectors Cache sold a PSA 10- rated Ishihara GX for $50,000 on eBay. – already a record for such a new card at the time. But it went even higher: In April 2021, another copy (with Ishihara's autograph, graded by PSA/DNA) was auctioned at Goldin Auctions for $247,230. This price astonished the community and catapulted Ishihara GX into the ranks of the most expensive cards of all time. On average, unsigned copies sell for around $30,000 , but a signed top-grade card—as you can see—fetched many times that amount. The story behind this card makes it so valuable: You're holding a piece of Pokémon corporate culture in your hands, a symbol of the man who made Pokémon great. It's no wonder hardcore collectors are willing to pay deep for it.

5th place: Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy Card (1998) – $150,000

The 1998 Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy Card in PSA 10 – awarded to parent-child teams who played Pokémon together. This card symbolizes family team spirit and is one of the rarest trophies in the Pokémon TCG.

Here comes a true family heirloom: The 1998 Kangama promo (Kangaskhan), a trophy card that could only be obtained if parents and children successfully participated together in a tournament. This card was awarded at the so-called Family Event tournament in Japan. Only teams consisting of a child and a parent were allowed to participate—a clever move by Pokémon to engage generations in the game. Only the teams that reached the top 8 in this parent-child tournament received the special Kangaskhan card as a prize. The holographic image appropriately depicts Kangaskhan with his child in his pouch—perfectly fitting the theme.

Since only a few dozen of this card exist (estimates range from 40 copies) and many owners have sentimental attachments to it, very few have reached the collector market. In October 2020, the moment finally arrived: Two copies appeared at auction – both fetching a price of $150,000 . One of these sales was on eBay, where a PSA 10-graded Kangaskhan sold for $150,100. This makes Kangaskhan one of the most expensive Pokémon trophies ever. The current market value for top examples remains around $150,000 or more. Fun fact: PSA has only recorded 12 cards with the top grade of 10 to date. – The Kangaskhan Trophy is not only rarely distributed, but also difficult to find in perfect condition. A beautiful story behind it and an impressive value – what more could you want?

6th place: Lugia 1st Edition (Neo Genesis, 2000) – $144,300

Besides Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo, there's another Pokémon that enjoys fan-favorite status: Lugia . The legendary Psychic/Flying-type Pokémon from the Johto region plays a major role not only in the games and movies, but also in the Trading Card Game. The 1st Edition Lugia from the Neo Genesis set (first English edition in 2000) is considered Lugia's first TCG card ever. and has now established itself as the most valuable second-generation card print. Why? Two reasons: Lugia's popularity and the extreme difficulty of finding a copy in top condition.

Neo Genesis Lugia is notorious for small printing errors or scratches, even on brand-new cards—making it extremely rare to find a PSA 10 in this set. Prices climbed accordingly during the 2020/21 Pokémon hype. In November 2020, a collector paid a whopping $129,000 for a 1st Edition Lugia on eBay/PWCC. But it goes even higher: In May 2021, a Lugia rated 10 ( Pristine ) by BGS fetched a whopping $144,300 at auction This sum temporarily made Lugia the most expensive non-Trophy card outside of the Base Set. Prices have since settled down somewhat—more recent sales are more in the five-figure range (PSA 10 ~ $80,000, PSA 9 significantly less). But on average, over the last three years, you can still expect to pay around $100,000+ for a perfect Lugia. For many fans, this card is the "Holy Grail" of the Neo era—combining nostalgia (Pokémon Silver, anyone?) with hard rarity.

7th place: Pokémon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainers (2006) – $110,100

In seventh place is a trophy card that leaps into modern times: the No. 2 Trainer card from the 2006 Pokémon World Championship. This card was presented to the winners (yes, interestingly, it is called "No. 2," but was awarded to first-place players) of the 2006 World Championships in Anaheim, USA. According to PSA, only three copies exist worldwide – one for each age group of the tournament . The card entitles the owner to participate in future world championships, making it a dream come true for competitive players.

The value of this card stems from its small circulation and the prestige of a World Cup winner's prize. In February 2021, a sale of this rarity caused a stir: Over 150 bids were placed at an auction on PWCC, with the price finally reaching $110,100. This was, to date, the highest price ever achieved for a World Championship card. Since so few exist, an average price is difficult to establish – the 110,000 essentially reflects the market value. For collectors, however, this card is priceless, as it tells the story of a world champion's glorious achievement. One can imagine how proudly the original winner accepted this card – and how it has now become a treasure in many a collection.

8th place: No. 1 Trainer (Super Secret Battle, 1999) – $90,000

This card reads like a ticket to a secret Pokémon tournament—and that's exactly what it was. The No. 1 Trainer card (Super Secret Battle) was awarded by the Pokémon Company at seven regional tournaments in Japan in 1999. Each regional winner received one of these cards, which bore the Japanese text "Congratulations! This card allows you to participate in the secret final battle." The card features the silhouette of the legendary Mewtwo against a hologram background and was essentially their ticket to a final tournament at an unknown location—a scenario straight out of the Pokémon movie! This mysterious aura makes the card extremely sought after among collectors.

Since only seven examples exist, prices skyrocket on the rare occasions when one does surface. In July 2020, a No. 1 Trainer in pristine condition (reportedly PSA 10 Gem Mint ) sold at auction for $90,000. This sale set a record for Pokémon cards at the time and highlighted that trophy cards (tournament-winning cards) represent a distinct category of value appreciation. Average prices are difficult to determine—such cards almost never change hands. However, it's safe to assume that a prime example would fetch around $100,000 anytime it came up for sale. The story behind it—a secret final round and a card as the golden ticket—makes the No. 1 Trainer a legend in Pokémon TCG history.

9th place: Umbreon Gold Star (Play Promo 2005) – $70,000

Who would have thought that Umbreon , the dark evolution of Eevee, would one day be one of the most expensive Pokémon cards? This Umbreon Gold Star card owes its value to a combination of popularity and extreme rarity. The card was given away in 2005 as part of the Pokémon Players Club in Japan as a Play Promo . Only players who earned an incredible 70,000 points in the fourth season—which meant successfully participating in a large number of tournaments—received this special holographic Umbreon card. . Overall, only a few dozen hardcore players managed to do this, which made the map rare from the start.

In addition, Gold Star cards have a special feature: a small gold star next to the name, which identifies them as a special collector's variant. Umbreon is a fan favorite, and current Umbreon cards often fetch high prices, even in modern sets. It's no wonder, then, that an original Umbreon Gold Star in top condition can fetch astronomical sums. In June 2021, a copy in BGS 9.5 (almost perfect) was auctioned for $70,000. Currently, PSA 10s are even trading at prices well over $100,000 – in early 2023, a PSA 10 copy sold for around $180,000 (a new record that almost influenced our list here). The average selling price was recently around $100,000–$120,000 . This card impressively demonstrates that modern Pokémon (from the 2000s) can now compete with the vintage classics, as long as the circumstances of their distribution remained so exclusive.

10th place: Tamamushi University Magikarp (1998) – $66,100

The first card shows that even the most inconspicuous Pokémon can become a treasure. The Tamamushi University Magikarp promo card —better known in the West as University Magikarp —was published in 1998 by the Japanese magazine Shogakukan. To get this card, elementary school students had to take part in a special Pokémon competition: They solved tasks in the magazine and, if successful, were invited to a tournament . Anyone who won at least one battle there received this special Magikarp with holographic artwork as a reward.

Originally, up to 1,000 copies were supposed to have been printed, but in reality far fewer were circulated – many cards have been lost over the years Collector's value: Due to its limited availability and unusual provenance, this card is extremely sought after. A copy sold for $66,100 at an auction on the PWCC platform in February 2021. Of course, only a top-quality copy (ideally PSA 10 Gem Mint ) will fetch such sums. The average market value in recent years has been around $65,000–$70,000 —astonishing for a Magikarp! The card symbolizes that even seemingly "worthless" Pokémon can achieve unimaginable values.

Conclusion: From schoolyard to collector's treasure

What was once just a game has now become a true passion for many—and for some, even an investment. The incredible prices these Pokémon cards have fetched are more than just numbers: They tell stories of nostalgia, rarity, and pure collecting joy. Whether it's the legendary Pikachu Illustrator or the highly coveted Charizard from the first edition—each of these cards is a piece of Pokémon history.

And who knows? Maybe there's an undiscovered treasure in your old collection. Or maybe you want to lay the foundation for tomorrow today.

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