Would You Buy These Pokémon Cards At These Prices?
You thought luxury cars were expensive? Get a load of Pokémon cards. These rare, hard-to-find, mint-condition cards sell at a price you could never imagine. Reaching up to the millions, here are 20 of the most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold. Never underestimate the power of this fan base!
1. Illustrator Pikachu - $5,275,000
It's safe to say popular YouTuber Logan Paul made waves on the internet and in the Pokémon community when he made the biggest deal in Pokémon history. He purchased the PSA 10 Illustrator Pikachu for a whopping five million dollars, which is considered the most expensive card ever sold.
2. Trophy Pikachu #2, Silver 2nd Place - $440,000
Just last year, this adorable Pikachu card sold for a jaw-dropping $440,000. There are supposedly 14 of these cards in the world, making this PSA 10 one an extremely rare card. People are definitely willing to pay a pretty price for the rarity of these cards, as proven.
3. 1999 Holographic Charizard #4 (1st Edition) - $420,000
While you might think this is a step down from the five million-dollar Pikachu sold, $420,000 is nothing to laugh about. Charizard continues to stand out as one of the most prized Pokémon cards any collector can own. And as proof, this card selling for a shocking six digits is evidence of that.
4. Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Holo Blastoise - $360,000
With only two of these cards in existence, it makes sense why the sale price is so incredibly high. Not only is Blastoise a highly adored Pokémon that everyone wants in their collection, the rarity of this card makes it even more in demand.
5. Trophy Pikachu #3, Bronze 3rd - $300,000
It only makes sense that if the silver version was so sought after, the bronze version is just as desired, right? Selling for just a little less, $300,000 is still incredibly expensive. In fact, there are even fewer of these cards out there - only 4 to be exact! Almost sold in perfect condition, this made someone's collection quadruple in value.
6. Snap Pikachu - $270,000
Don't believe us when we say Pikachu is one of the most beloved Pokémon? With this card being sold for nearly $300k, we think we've proven our point. Sold last year in 2023 after the card mysteriously resurfaced, it was sold at a hefty price, but it's definitely the star card of someone's Pokémon collection now.
7. Tsunekazu Ishihara GX Signed Promo - $247,230
If you're racking your brain trying to remember which Pokémon this was, don't worry, you're not going crazy. Because no, Tsunekazu Ishihara isn't a Pokémon, he's the president of the company! It's a bit strange seeing this unique card sell for so high, but it just goes to show you that Pokémon fans around the world highly respect him.
8. Umbreon Gold Star Holographic - $180,000
Sitting in at just under 200k, this Umbreon Holo card definitely sold for a pretty penny to a lucky Pokémon fan. You might be wondering why such a card is so highly prized, and that's because it took a lot of effort for players to initially obtain this card. Given to those in Japan's Pokémon Player Club for gaining 70,000 points at the end of a season (points gained from attending events, tournaments, etc.), this is a seriously exclusive card.
9. Family Event Trophy Kangaskhan - $175,000
Sold in mint condition, this Kangaskhan card was seriously special. You were only able to get this card if you participated in a special tournament in Japan back in 1998. And to make it even more rare, there are supposedly only 11 graded copies of this card in the entire world. Getting your hands on this one will definitely be difficult - and expensive.
10. First Edition Lugia Holographic - $144,300
While Lugia is already a highly sought-after Pokémon that everyone wants to grab for their collection, this stunning BGS 10 first edition holo was something magical. With its Pristine label, it's said that there are only 3 of this quality to exist in the world!
11. Toshiyuki Yamaguchi No. 2 Trainer - $137,500
While this one isn't the most expensive card on this list, it's definitely one of the most unique. In a way, we could easily say it's truly one-of-a-kind. Featuring Toshiyuki Yamaguchi directly on the card, this prize was awarded after he won second place in an event held in Japan. And with our favorite Pokémon, Pikachu, standing next to him with his two thumbs up, we can't help but love how special this card is.
12. Snap Magikarp - $136,000
While Magikarp might be a Pokémon that always gets laughed at for being pretty lame, this card is certainly nothing to laugh at. Selling for $136,000, it's surprisingly one of the most expensive cards around! Its high price point is said to be because of its unique design and look combined with its rarity - this card randomly resurfaced after 23 years in hiding!
13. Extra Battle Day Lillie - $108,000
While cards that feature trainers from the show aren't typically popular or rare, Extra Battle Day Lillie is an exception. With a PSA 10 card being sold for a whopping $108,000, it's one of the most expensive cards ever sold! So why is that? At the end of the day, it all comes down to how rare it is. There are only a few in the world as it was only possible to draw this card from an exclusive pack made back in 2019.
14. Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer - $90,000
As one of the rarest Pokémon cards ever made, everyone wants to get their hands on this card. It was given to winners of a tournament in Japan back in 1999, and it's said that only seven cards have ever been made, considering there were seven winners. That means trying to find one will definitely send you on a wild goose chase.
15. Snap Gyarados - $87,500
Following the Snap Pikachu and Snap Magikarp on this list, of course, we couldn't leave out Gyarados. With its unique 3D design, this card would be considered a wonderful rare addition for any Pokémon fan. Several of these cards have surfaced in recent years, which is reflected in its price; in case any of you were wondering why it sells for a lot less than Magikarp!
16. Tamamushi University Magikarp - $78,000
Awarded to participants who passed a series of difficult Pokémon-themed quizzes at an event, it's believed that there are fewer than 100 of these cards in the whole world. How much the highest one has been sold for seems to vary a bit online. Different sources have recorded the most expensive of this card being sold for between $50,000-$78,000. Regardless of what the true sale price is, you can't deny that it's no small number.
17. 2010 World Championship Master's Key - $66,000
Nope, while there's no actual Pokémon printed on this card, it's still one that's coveted for its rarity and meaning. It was only given to participants of the 2010 World Championship tournament, and there are supposedly only 36 copies of this card. That makes it one of the rarest in the world, which helps explain its high price.
18. 1996 Japanese Basic Venusaur Holo (No Rarity Symbol) - $55,000
While the phrase "No Rarity" might sound like they should be cheaper cards, it's actually the exact opposite. Only original cards from the Japanese Base Set came without any symbol, meaning these were the real deal. And with Venusaur being such a popular Pokémon, it's not hard to see why this card became one of the most expensive in the world.
19. First Edition Blastoise Holo - ~$45,000
While this is certainly a jump down from the other $300,000 Blastoise card, we would still hesitate to shell out $45,000 for this one. It's no small amount of money! Selling in mint condition, this card is rated so highly because it's a first edition, because it's a holo, and because it's one of the most beloved Pokémon in the game. We're sure this would round out any fan's collection beautifully.
20. First Edition Shadowless Chansey Holo (Base Set) - ~$36,877
Selling in mint condition, which is super hard to find with this Chansey card, we're not surprised to hear it sold for such a high price. After all, this is a sought-after card that any collector would go after. While you can purchase a lower quality version of this card for much cheaper, it's the condition that really makes the difference.
