Pokémon cards officially launched in 1999. Over 20 years later, not many who started collecting it from the inception could believe that they may be worth as much as they are now. Many people who own Pokémon TCG Sets not only see it as a fun way to spend time with family and friends but also as a store of value that may one day fetch them thousands of dollars.
More than 20 years after its official launch, some Pokémon cards have become rare, thus commanding more value in the market. This article dives into some of the rarest and most expensive Pokémon cards from a considerable bottom position to the top.
Rarest and most expensive Pokémon cards in 2022
It is important to note that the card at the top of the list is always up for debate, and this is because new cards may surface on the market or existing cards may be resold at a higher value. The rarest and most expensive at any given time is the one that sells for the most amount.
The value of Pokemon cards fluctuates to reflect demand and supply. The overall price may also be affected by the card’s condition and grading. This list considers the Pokemon cards that have been sold at the latest auctions and what they sold for.
10. Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Promo
This Pokemon card was released in 1998 after a Japanese magazine, Shogakukan’s Magazine, organized a contest for Pokemon fans in universities. Many fans participated in the contest and sent back their cards to be graded. Students who scored the highest participated in a special competition in Osaka. The tournament winners went home with this special Pokemon card. The cards have since earned a rare status among the Pokemon cards out there. It sold for $66,000 in February of 2021.
9. Umbreon Gold Star Holo
This is a 2005 Pokemon card that comes after the evolution of a few of the popular characters in the series and franchise. The Gold Star Umbreon quickly became a highly sought-after Pokemon card in the Pokemon TCG sets.
The Umbreon Gold Star Holo has an outstanding story backing it. Players admitted that they had to amass a whopping 70,000 XP points in the 4th season to obtain the rare card. With several hurdles to cross before trainers could earn this card, it is no wonder why it sold in June of 2021 for $70,000.
8. No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle
This is a 1999 production and was born out of a regional contest organized by The Pokemon Company in Japan. The winners of the contest were awarded the No. 1 Trainer Pokemon card, which paved the way to a final held at a secret location.
The final, named the “Super Secret Battle,” earned the winners a special TCG card that is classed among the rarest in the world. The card sold for $90,000 in July of 2020 and has never resurfaced on the auction market.
7. Pokemon World Championship Promo No. 2 Trainer
This is a 2006 Pokemon card rated among the rarest trophy cards presented at the World Championship in Anaheim, CA, held in 2006. The card’s population is extremely low, especially as it was only handed out to winners at the event.
In February of 2021, the card sold for a whopping $110,000. Only three of these Pokemon cards were issued to the first, second, and third place winners.
6. Lugia’s First Edition Neo Genesis
This is a 2000 production and similar to the Mewtwo for its iconic history, especially among the early adopters of the card game. The Psychic bird resurfaced on the auctions market in 2020 and sold for $129,000. Another Lugia’s 1st Edition Neo Genesis card, graded 10 by Beckett, sold in May of 2021 for $144,300.
5. Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy
This is a Trophy Pokemon Card from 1998 and could have only been owned by participants of 1998 final held in Japan in the same year. This final contest was special because it required a parent and a child to contest. The resulting cards sold for $150,000 in October of 2020. The card’s value is currently under review, especially due to its rarity, and may similarly command a higher value at its next appearance.
4. Ishihara GX Promo (Autographed)
This is a 2017 rare promo card that has been autographed with artwork on it. The card’s value is arguably increased by the owner of the autograph, Tsunekazu Ishihara, the CEO of The Pokemon Company. The card was handed out to employees in attendance on his birthday in 2017 and has remained a valued treasure to them.
The card sold at Goldin Auctions for $247,320 in 2021, making it one of today’s most sought-after and most expensive Pokemon cards.
3. Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Holo
This very rare Pokemon card from 1998 came to light in 2021. The card, commissioned by the Wizards of the Coast in 1998, was designed as a blueprint to guide stores on what a TCG line would eventually look like. The card is deemed to be a historical Nintendo Artifact and sold for $360,000 in January of 2021.
2. Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set
Many 90’s kids can relate to this 1999 card. This card commands an insane value in the market, even the 1st edition shadowless card, which lacked the border shadows. In October of 2020, the card sold for $226,000 and was purchased by rapper Logic. In the same year, another buyer purchased the 1999 Base Set collectible for $350,000.
1. Illustrator CoroCoro Comics Promo
This Pikachu illustrator card, an actual 1997 production, is deemed the rarest in the community. The card was a product of the CoroCoro art competition held in 1997. Winners at the art competition were awarded this card that featured an electric-type drawing of other monsters.
The card came into the auction market five years ago and has continued to sell for a higher amount than the last. Recently, one of the cards sold for $250,000 in 2020, and in 2021, another of the cards sold for $375,000.
The Topsun Charizard Blue Back, a 1995 Pokemon card, sold for $493,230 in January 2021, making it the most expensive Pokemon card in existence. However, it doesn’t belong to the TCG set.