Can You Collect Them All?
The world-famous and incredibly popular Pokémon game first came onto the scene in 1996. What started as a role-playing game skyrocketed into a multi-million dollar franchise consisting of video games, animated series, and films, among other media. Due to its popularity, it’s no surprise that many rare cards fetch a high price for only the most dedicated fans. Read on to see if any cards catch your eye.
1. Pikachu Illustrator
The Pikachu Illustrator was originally handed out to winners of an illustration competition in 1998, featuring a Pikachu holding an oversized fountain pen. With only 39 copies of this card ever created, it’s no surprise that this is a highly sought-after purchase. It’s the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold at auction, going for over $200,000 USD.
2. Tamamushi University Magikarp
Sure, Magikarp is not a well-loved character when it comes to battle, but this 1998 Tamamushi University card changes that. Distributed only to winners of the university’s Hyper Test Campaign, this particular Magikarp has a Dragon Rage special move, which is not usually available until further evolutions.
3. Topsun Charizard (Blue Back)
While not officially an official card of Pokémon TCG, this Topsun-created card would be considered the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold. The card features a Charizard breathing fire, with a blue-black backing.
4. Snap Gyarados
This rare promotional card is from a 1999 Snap photo content run by CoroCoro Comic. Only 15 copies of this particular card were made, featuring a Gyarados with its tongue sticking out.
Michael Ocampo from United States on Wikimedia
5. First Edition Base Set Holo Charizard
This popular collector's item has been around since 1999. Featuring a shadowless Charizard with a holographic background, this is easily one of the most recognizable Pokémon cards to date.
6. No.2 Trainer Toshiyuki Yamaguchi
One of three cards ever made, the Toshiyuki Yamaguchi Trainer cards were given to the top three players of the Secret Super Battle-Best In Japan tournament. The No.2 Trainer card is one of a kind, and no photos of it existed online until 2023.
7. Presentation Blastoise Galaxy Star Hologram
One of two cards in existence, the Presentation Blastoise sold for over $360,000 USD in January 2021. The card was created by Magic: The Gathering maker Wizards of the Coast as a presentation offering.
8. Neo Genesis 1st Edition Lugia
This particular card has a long history of errors and misprints during its early days, and only three have ever been minted and graded by the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). The design features a yellow border with a white Lugia flying through the stars.
9. Test Print Gold Border Blastoise
Another card associated with Magic: The Gathering’s Wizards of the Coast, this card exemplifies a mish-mashing of the two companies. Featuring a gold Magic: The Gathering back, a gold border, and a foiled front, this card went for over $200,000 USD at an auction back in 2021.
10. Espeon and Umbreon Gold Star POP Series 5
These two particular cards are rare due to the company holding back on “Eeveelutions.” The Japanese-printed Espeon and Umbreon Gold Star POP Series 5 cards are only offered to members of the Pokémon Players Club, making them highly valuable.
11. Japanese Beta Presentation Charizard
This 1996 card features watercolor artwork of Charizard with slightly different attack stats than the typical cards we see today. It was created before the Pokémon TCG was released, and the number of cards made for this presentation wasn’t revealed until 2024.
12. Japanese Design Promo 2nd Grade Winner Spikey-Eared Pikachu
This cutesy design was created by a second-grader back in 2009 as a promo for the movie Arceus and the Jewel of Life. Between 13 and 100 copies of this card were made and sold for $25,800 USD at an auction in 2023.
13. Disco Holofoil Charizard Test Print
This test print was also created by Wizards of the Coast after securing a license to make English-translated Pokémon cards. This particular Charizard features a disco-style holofoil, one of the experimental treatment options the company was considering at the time.
14. 2002 Pokémon World Championships No.1 Trainer
This card was the 2002 first-place prize for the Pokémon World Championships, and having it in your possession even gives you preferential entry into the official tournament. It was originally released as a trainer card for previous tournaments before becoming a highly honoured card.
Pokemon World Champ on Wikimedia
15. Master Scroll
This card was created by the Daisuki Club, a company responsible for distributing promotional cards between 2007 and 2010. This particular card was only handed out to the most dedicated members of this fan club, as you had to obtain a certain number of points to receive it.
16. Japanese Pokémon XY-P Black Star Promo Pikachu
Created to celebrate Pokémon’s 20th anniversary, this card features all the starter Pokémon for the first generation of the game— Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. It was given to attendees of the anniversary event, and one recently sold for $32,520 USD back in 2023.
17. 2000 Tropical Mega Battle No.1 Trainer
This card was awarded to first-place regional winners as their qualification to enter the Tropical Mega Battle, an international tournament that took place in Honolulu from 1999 to 2001.
18. 2002 First-Edition Mysterious Mountains Crystal Charizard
This particular brand of cards comes from the Colorless Crystal Pokémon collection, meaning each Pokémon doesn’t have a specific energy type. The card required users to have an e-Reader for the Game Boy Advance, which gave owners access to information about the card, and occasionally access to minigames as well.
19. 1996 Pokémon Japanese base Set No Rarity Symbol Holo Venusaur
Released in the 1990s, this card is one of the earliest editions mentioned on this list. It’s considered a “No Rarity” card, which only exists in these early print runs or on promotional sets. According to PSA, only five of these cards are considered in mint condition.
20. Gold Pikachu
Released in 2018 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Pokémon TCG, this limited edition card is no joke. Featuring a replica of Pikachu’s original design, this card is made of solid 24-karat gold. Interested parties had to enter a lottery for a chance to purchase this card for $2,000 USD, but it was recently sold for $29,520 USD at an auction in 2021.
