Have you ever wondered which Pokemon cards are rare and valuable at the same time? Well, my dear readers, I have created this list just for you!
Table of Contents
I bet this will surely make your jaw drop down on the floor with how expensive these cards are, especially when you get closer to number one! Just so you know, Pokemon is a hype that will never go away regardless of age, this will forever be an ICON that we all love!
So, I won’t be dilly dallying anymore here because I know you’re excited to see the list, let us now start! Here are the Top 20 Most Valuable Pokemon TCG Cards of 2022! Enjoy!
19+ TOP VALUABLE POKEMON TCG CARDS (RANKED)
20. 20th Anniversary 24 Karat Gold Pikachu
Estimated Cost: $2081
To begin, here is a pokemon card made out of GOLD! This was created by a Japanese jewellerymaker named Ginza Tanaka to commemorate the TCG’s 20th Anniversary last 2016. This Golden Pikachu was made out of 11 grams of a 24-karat gold and the art was based on the original Japanese version of Pikachu which is named as “Fat Pikachu.”
This Golden Pikachu can only be acquired through a lottery that was held back in 2016. If you have won, then you would be able to obtain this limited edition of a card for the cost of $2,081 or 216,000 yen (Pokemon Center Online, 2016). All in all, this card is one heck of a valuable card that is super rare and will surely be very hard to acquire!
19. 2010 World Championship Master Key Trophy Card – Pokemon Japan
Estimated Cost: $26,900
A prize card awarded to the winners of the TCG’s Pokemon Tournament last 2010 in Hawaii. This Master Key Trophy card has only 36 copies of it since these were the amount of people who have won the tournament. Basically, this is both rare and at the same time, a valuable piece of collectible.
Furthermore, this card is considered to be something very difficult to obtain which makes it quite expensive once it’s sold. In which case, according to PWCC (2020) this rare card was sold two years ago at a massive amount of $26,900.
18. 2002 Japanese Promo No. 1 Trainer
Estimated Cost: $31,000
One of the most rarest card and probably hardest to obtain is this 2002 Trainer no. 1 card. This was awarded to those who won the Battle Road Spring Tournament that was held in Japan back in 2002. There were only a few who have won that competition, which means that this card is highly valuable.
Another reason why this card is one-of-a-kind apart from it having a very limited amount of prints, is that the winners have their name imprinted on the card. A copy of this card was sold in Heritage Auction (2021a) at over $31,000, which proves how valuable this card is!
17. Daisuki Club Holographic Master Scroll Promo
Estimated Cost: $35,200
A card that is hard to acquire due to its limited amount of prints and isn’t often put up for sale. This one is considered to be one of the rarest promotional cards throughout the history of TCG. This card was designed in a very intricate way that shows how valuable this is, it is inlaid with a tinge of golden holograph.
In addition to that, this card is for the people who are part of the Pokemon Daisuki Club, an organization that helps players obtain rare or limited edition cards. With that, this card is also a limited edition that can only be obtained through the Pokemon Trading Card Game back in 2010. This 2010 Promo Master Card was sold on eBay at $35,200 (Professional Sports Authenticator, 2021a).
16. Chansey #3 First Edition Shadowless Base Set
Estimated Cost: $36,877
Chansey is one of the most adorable pokemon characters that is loved by a lot of fans! To the point that this specific card fetched quite a high price which shocked a lot of people, mostly veterans. Well, nobody could resist this loveable Pokemon, even I find Chansey cute!
This precious card cost a staggering amount of $36,877 when it was auctioned off at PWCC last 2020. Furthermore, this was part of the Base Set that was first released in North America in 1999. With that, many card collectors were enthusiastic about its release because it contained artwork from the TCG, which brings back a lot of memories for players.
15. Rayquaza Gold Star Holo Ex Deoxys
Estimated Cost: $45,100
This Pokemon was first introduced in the Pokemon Emerald, game boy advance version, as a Legendary Pokemon Character. Which means, this Pokemon is a very powerful one and is also considered to be a fan favorite character. Basically, this card is highly valuable as well as expensive, especially those cards that are graded 10 by PSA.
A flawless condition of this type of card could fetch a high price considering that there was one that got sold at a huge amount of $45,100 on eBay (Professional Sports Authenticator, 2020d). It is said that the value of this card will likely increase and it’ll be more expensive compared to what was recently sold… well that, if it’s in mint condition.
14. Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer (Promo)
Estimated Cost: $50,300
Another one of the most difficult to find Pokemon card out there! This card, in particular, was only distributed to a tiny number of people who had won at the Pokemon Tournament that was held in Japan back in 1999.
This is a rare pokemon card, to the point that there are a few cards that were sold at a high price regardless of its quality. One card that was sold in an auction on eBay costs $50,300 even though it hasn’t been graded yet (Professional Sports Authenticator, 2020c). Hence, even if this card has yet to be graded it’s value is no doubt, quite high..
13. Charizard Gold Star Holo Dragon Frontiers
Estimated Cost: $60,065
This is the first Charizard card variant that is part of this list, as you read further there would be more. A Gold Star Pokemon card, which is quite a powerful one if you include this on your deck. Also, this can only be used once in a Pokemon battle.
According to the Professional Sports Authenticator (2020a), this specific card was auctioned off at eBay at a cost of $60,065 at PSA 10 Gem Mint condition! Other than it being a Gold star card, its art was highly detailed most specifically at Charizard’s fire-breathing. Its color is much darker than the usual lighter texture of Charizard’s fire, which makes a lot of card collectors interested in this card.
12. 1999 Tropical Wind, Tropical Mega Battle – Japanese Promo
Estimated Cost: $65,100
Did you know that, most of the valuable and rare cards actually hail from a special pokemon event or a tournament. In fact, this card came from a much more private event or an invite-only competition held in Hawaii. The invites were sent to renowned players all over the world.
Although this card is rare, this is just a normal card in which its use is to force players to flip a coin to determine the result of the event. But what makes this card valuable is because other than it being a promo card, there are only a few cards that were produced that are in mint condition. Hence it’s no wonder that this card’s value is expensive since this card was sold at $65,100 on eBay last 2020 in pristine condition (Professional Sports Authenticator, 2020e).
11. Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Promo
Estimated Cost: $66,100
In this card we could see the art of Magikarp jumping through air and shooting out his lightning strike attack, which looks dope! Since it is a promo card, we all know that this is distributed amongst people who participated at a certain event.
Well, for this one, the Magikarp card was given to the participants who joined the tournament in Osaka, Japan – who won at least once in a battle. But before that, to be able to partake in this event one must complete the “Tamamushi University Hyper Test.”
There isn’t much information about this hyper test but one thing’s for sure is that this test is related to Pokemon. According to the Professional Sports Authenticator (2021b), a PSA grade 10-mint condition of this card was sold on eBay at a price of $66,100! Which shows how exponentially valuable this card is amongst the masses.
10. Umbreon Gold Star Holo
Estimated Cost: $70,000
Coming up at number ten is the 2005 Japanese Play Promo Umbreon Gold Star #26! This card is certainly rare considering that it is a Promo card. Furthermore, it is a Gold Star card, meaning, this particular card is by nature extremely difficult to obtain. Its intricate design is quite a sight to see, Umbreon looks like he is basked in his full glory as a superior pokemon.
In addition to that, what makes this card especially valuable and scarce is due to its Japanese print. If this card was in english print, then it would be less hard to find (but still hard lol). This specific card was sold in PWCC last 2021 at a sum of $70,000.
9. 1999 No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle
Estimated Cost: $90,000
First and foremost, let us pause for a moment to admire the card’s design—which is truly UNIQUE and out of this world! It’s unlike any other card we’ve seen before; this one, in particular, features the Galactic Mewtwo alongside the trading card logo. This promo card certainly lives up to its name, as it was only given out to seven, yes SEVEN, people who competed in and won tournaments across Japan.
This basically means that there are only seven printed cards out there that were produced which makes this a rare card extremely valuable. To top it off, its value will continually increase further in time. Recently, this card was sold a staggering amount of $90,000 by the Heritage Auctions last 2020.
8. 2006 Pokemon World Championship Promo No. 2
Estimated Cost: $110,100
Another promo card that is super rare and hard to find! It is said that there are only THREE of these that were given out during a competition in California last 2006! Imagine obtaining one of it, I bet a lot of people would want to get that card too!
For the art of this card, it has a 3D-rendered design of our cute Pikachu who is holding a Trophy! Don’t you find it adorable? Anyways, this card was sold at a massive amount of $110,100 (PWCC, 2021).
7. 2000 Pokemon Neo Genesis First Edition Holographic Lugia #9
Estimated Cost: $114,300
Have you seen the cover of the Nintendo game Pokemon: Silver? Well, it has the same design as this Pokemon Card which makes it highly valuable and sought after by a lot of card collectors. Well, this goes to show the popularity this card has among the masses and considering that this is a First Edition, plus a legendary Pokemon Card, people would go crazy in obtaining a print of this card!
However, this Lugia card, in particular, is considered to be in Pristine – 10 condition by the Beckett Grading Services (BGS) which is why it is a very valuable and expensive card. Well, it’s obvious since it is seventh on the list, plus, this specific card was sold in PWCC (2021) for $114,300. Furthermore, it is said that in the future, the value and price of this card would skyrocket!
6. Kangaskhan-Holo #115 Family Event Trophy Card
Estimated Cost: $150,100
As the name suggests, this card is only given to families who participated in the Parent/Child mega Battle Tournament and won. Mind you, this competition was held in Japan in the 90s meaning the prints are very limited. Basically, this pokemon card is extremely valuable.
Also, did I mention that this card was one of the world’s rarest Pokemon cards? Well, it wouldn’t be that shocking since it only has a limited amount of prints compared to other cards. Furthermore, this extremely difficult to find Pokemon card was auctioned on eBay for a huge amount of $150,100 (Professional Sports Authenticator 2020b).
5. Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card (Autographed)
Estimated Cost: $247,230
A card that commemorates the 60th Birthday of the founder of Pokemon Company, without this man, we wouldn’t have known this great masterpiece such as the Red and Green Games, Pokemon trading cards and of course, Pokemon GO! What makes this card very valuable and at the same time super expensive, is because this was signed by the Founder himself! YES, the founder of POKEMON, Tsunekazu Ishihara SIGNED this card!
Surely, this card is no doubt pricey and super duper mega ultra valuable! Apart from it being signed (yes, I said it like three times now), the details of the card shows Tsunekazu Ishihara together with a Pokemon Rotom and a Master Ball. Now, for the exciting part, this card was sold in an auction at an enormous amount of (drum roll please~) $247,230 (Goldin Auctions, 2021b).
The value of this card is said to increase further considering that this is a rare type of card that is very hard to obtain even amongst card collectors!
4. Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram
Estimated Cost: $360,000
This isn’t your typical Blastoise Pokemon card, the reason why this holds a lot of value compared to other Blastoise cards is because of it being known as the “Backless Blastoise.” It is said that this card lacks printing on the back part, hence it’s named that way.
Further, another fun fact about this card is that, this was produced only for test runs by the Wizards of the Coast, this wasn’t really for mass consumption. Knowing this, the Blastoise Card can be considered as a very rare or hard to find Pokemon card and it’s value is probably up there (pricey). Its valuableness was proven when this Blastoise card was sold in the Heritage Auctions (2021) at an enormous amount of $360,000!
3. 1999 First Edition Shadowless Base Set Holographic Charizard #4
Estimated Cost: $420,000
Another Charizard card that made its way on the list! Just so you know, one of the most popular and in-demand pokemon cards out there is Charizard! Well, that is something that we shouldn’t be shocked of since Charizard exudes strength and power as a Pokemon; plus it’s a fan favorite.
Now this 1999 First Edition Charizard card is one of the most sought after Pokemon cards out there! Furthermore, its value always increases, a PSA grade 10 – mint condition of this card costs around $30,100 (Price Charting, 2021)! To top it off, this card was sold at PWCC Auction House at a massive amount of $420,000! In fact, this news made its way to CNN (Abbassi, 2022)! Which says a lot of how this card is really valuable!
2. 1995 Japanese Topsun Charizard Blue Back
Estimated Cost: $493,230
Coming up at second place, it’s the infamous 1995 Japanese Topsun Blue Back Charizard! Now bear in mind, this card is highly valuable because it only has 31 original copies of it! A lot of card collectors would want to get their hands on this magnificent card.
One cool fact about this Charizard card is that its art is based on the game-type Charizard and not the anime version of it. We could see it through its intricate detail and how Charizard was portrayed in his strongest, most fearsome form!
Of course, for obvious reasons, this card snagged second place as it was sold for a staggering amount of $493,230 in an auction house (Goldin Auctions, 2021a)!
1. Illustrator Corocoro Comics Promo (Pikachu Illustrator Card)
Estimated Cost: $5,275,000
There is always that one character we first think of whenever the topic is Pokemon and that is Pikachu! Whether it’s in games, anime or in collecting cards our adorable pokemon here is certainly one of the most popular characters out there! I mean, he is Ash’s most precious pokemon!
Considering that this card, by far, has only 39 copies of it, this means that it is very valuable and rare! Our Pikachu’s popularity and worth was proven when this 1998 card in PSA 10 – mint condition made its way to the Guinness Book of World Record as the most expensive card ever sold! And that award was given to Logan Paul after he bought this Pikachu Illustrator card for a whopping amount of $5,275,000 (Guinness World Records, 2022)!
With that huge amount of money, you can live a lifetime without having a job!
Conclusion
Now, there you have it guys! The Top 20 Most Valuable Pokemon TCG Cards of 2022! If this hadn’t made your jaw drop on the floor I don’t know what will!
Because, I tell you my dear readers, I was super shocked too when I first found out how these Pokemon Cards were so expensive. Most especially the last one, I mean, it reached 5.2 MILLION DOLLARS, I couldn’t even believe my eyes when I researched about it!
Welp, I hope you guys enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing this article and do let us know in the comments down below what you think about these super valuable cards!
