Pokémon has been popular as long as it has existed. That could be because the Pokémon stories have a little bit of something that appeals to everyone, whether they are consuming it in the form of a show, a movie, or a video game. Pokémon cards have been an especially big hit, and their popularity has driven up their value quite significantly.
We figured it would be interesting to take a look at 20 of the most expensive Pokémon cards out there. Here we go!
The 20 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards
The following Pokémon cards were collected from a variety of sources including Ranker & The Gamer, and constitute the Pokémon cards that dominate the upper price range of the most expensive ones in existence.
1. Championship Arena ($499)
The Championship Arena card included in the 2005 Pokémon World Championships collection starts our list at $499. This card was an exclusive prize available only to those who had the opportunity to compete at the championship tournament events by Nintendo.
2. Gastly – Expedition ($999)
Lest you believe that a character’s popularity correlates to the worth of their card, consider that Gastly, a Pokémon character of no particular excitement or worth, and certainly not one anyone would really consider playing with or utilizing in a battle, has a card valued at nearly 4 figures.
3. Holographic Shadowless First Edition Mewtwo Card ($1500)
The main reason for the Mewtwo card being one of the most expensive Pokémon cards is the rarity of the character itself. The first edition of the shadowless holographic card was greatly coveted at the turn of the century, but these days they are exceptionally rare. If you happen to have one in your childhood collection, are willing to part with it, and have it in decent shape, you can score a hefty $1,500 sum for it.
4. Holographic Shadowless First Edition Blastoise Card ($1500)
Blastoise was always a popular character and coveted by Pokémon card collectors in the late 1990s. Even though the card itself was already a rarity back then, it is far rarer now, so if you are sitting on a holographic shadowless first edition Blastoise card, you have a nice payday in your possession.
5. Gold Star Espeon Card ($3,500)
Gold Star cards, first introduced through EX play, feature a shiny Pokémon version on them, making them easy to distinguish from their counterparts. The Gold Star cards were distributed to Pokémon Players Club members that met particular criteria, with Espeon cards being the most valuable of those select distributions, making them exceedingly rare and valuable.
6. Shining Charizard Card ($3,500)
Unlike other holographic Pokémon cards that sport a shiny background, the Shining Charizard card featured the Pokémon as a hologram, making it the first of the Pokemon cards to ever contain such an attribute. When the image has a marking on the bottom left-hand side, marking it as a first edition, it is even more valuable. If you have somehow ended up with one of these, you are sitting on a $3,500 cash prize should you choose to sell it.
7. Pikachu – Expedition Card ($5,999)
Even those who know nothing else about Pokemon are aware of the Pikachu character, which makes it unsurprising that the electrical rat is beloved by many, with the card being popular and rare enough to command a sales figure of nearly six grand. If you scour eBay hard enough, you might luck into a seller offering one of these cards up.
8. Holographic Shadowless First Edition Venusaur Card ($6,500)
Venusaur cards were rare and hard to come by from the start, never mind a holographic version of the character. If you are one of the select few lucky ones who came across this card in the past, you are holding onto one seriously valuable card. If it is a shadowless version, then you can collect even more of a payday for it.
9. Black Triangle Error Booster Card ($8,700)
Singular cards are not the only ones featured on this list. For instance, booster packs, an exciting opportunity to score some extra rare Pokémon card features, can collect a pretty penny too. The Black Triangle cards are so much rarer because they were actually printed erroneously when factories were supposed to be done printing first edition packs. To collect the $8,700 that these are worth, however, you will need to have the whole booster box on hand, not just a booster pack.
10. Master Key Prize Card ($8,799)
There have only ever been 34 Master Key Prize Cards produced and those that were were awarded to trading card tournament players in Japan in 2010. This makes them beyond rare and exceptionally difficult to purchase when you consider that those still holding on to them are unlikely to want to have them up for sale.
11. Kamex Mega Battle Card (Computer Error) ($9,999)
During the 1998 Kamex Mega Battles tournament, winners were awarded prizes that included the CoroCoro comic’s monthly issue, and it contained the Computer Error Kamex Mega Battles cards. These cards would later be reprinted, but their original versions are worth nearly 5 figures, far more than the reprint editions.
12. Articuno – Tropical Mega Battle Card ($9,999)
The award for the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle tournament was the Articuno card. While these are still available to purchase, the originally distributed awards command a hefty $9,999 price tag for their exceptional rarity.
13. Tropical Wind Card ($10,000)
While this prize inclusion from the World Mega Battle tournament from 2004 was not an expensive purchase at the time of its distribution, its 1999 predecessor is worth a stunning 5 figures ($10,000 at least) as it is possessed only by the world’s finest Pokemon players.
14. No. 3 Trainer Promo Card ($32,499)
The highest-ranking player in the annual World’s Championships is awarded the No 3 Trainer Promo Card. This card is ludicrously expensive due to its exclusivity and reputation for having the honor of being a masterful player. While such credentials are sought after by hardcore Pokemon lovers, most people would simply not find it practical to pay $32,499 for a card, regardless of the “honor” value.
15. Tropical Mega Battle No Trainer Card ($60,000)
The card, which features an Exeggutor on its front, was awarded to the top 3 players who have exhibited uncanny abilities and skills across 7 tournaments. These cards were their key to entering any Tropical Mega Battle tournaments. These cards are beyond rare. Somewhere out there is a Gold card of this type and that is set to command an astronomical price of over $100,000.
16. No. 1 Trianer Promo Card ($70,000)
In 1997, a two-day competition was held to celebrate Pokemon’s success and was the genesis of the Pokémon card game tournaments that would follow every year after. The card has been reprinted from tournaments after the initial one, so while not the most expensive on the list, its acquisition is very difficult, settling it with a worth of at least $70,000.
17. Pikachu Illustrator Card ($100,000)
It is believed that 39 Pikachu Illustrator cards were all that was printed, making them exceptionally rare finds. On top of that, it has also been confirmed to some degree that only 6 actually remain in existence, therefore each of these commands a whopping price of $100,000.
18. Kangaskhan (Parent-Child Promo Card) ($133,000)
At the 1998 Parent/Child tournament, the Kangaskhan card was awarded to the winners and the only owners of this prestigious prize. From a competition of thousands, only the winner walked away with this rarity, which was retired immediately after the tournament’s completion. Somewhere, someone is sitting on the worth of $133,000.
19. No. 2 Trainer Promo Card ($200,000)
Worth more than twice the cost of the No. 1 trainer card, this exceptionally rare find is worth $200,000, or whatever the owner feels like asking for it. However, if the owner was to sell it, it is highly unlikely that anyone would offer anything close to $200,000, especially after its value diminishes after multiple months on the market.
20. Pre-Release Raichu Card ($ ????)
The Pre-Release Raichu Card is regarded as the onyx, the unicorn, and the unrivaled, top-tier score of the Pokemon card community. It is estimated that only 8 cards of this sort are in circulation in the world, adorned specifically by a special and unique stamp which makes this rarity’s cost invaluable.
Most Expensive Pokémon Cards Final Thought
So what do you think of the top 20most expensive Pokémon cards in the world? When Pokémon first started, no one thought their collector cards would command such enormous worth, but these collectibles vastly exceeded even the most liberal expectations. So which of the most expensive Pokémon cards on your list is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Since you like our article of the TOP 20 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards Ever Sold, then we suggest to you to check this amazing post of the TOP 15 Most Expensive Fruits of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where to pre order pokemon cards?
Pokemon cards can be pre-ordered from various retailers, including online stores such as Amazon, GameStop, and the official Pokemon Center website. Local hobby shops and game stores may also offer pre-orders for upcoming Pokemon card releases. It is best to check with your preferred retailer for pre-order availability and specific details.
How much is a metapod pokemon card worth?
The value of a Metapod Pokemon card can vary depending on factors such as its condition, rarity, and edition. A quick online search shows that the value of a Metapod card ranges from a few cents to a few dollars, with rare or graded versions worth more. It is best to consult a reputable online marketplace or collector’s guide for the most accurate value.
Hello, my name is Idammah, and I am the founder of Wolfionaire.com, a personal development, and finance blog focused on motivation, success, and wealth. I am obsessed with studying the world's wealthiest individuals and learning about their path to success. I believe anyone can achieve their financial goals with the right mindset and strategies, and I hope to inspire and empower my readers to pursue their own path to success.
