Remember when you were kids, and you would annoy your parents to death so they would get you a set of Pokemon cards? Well, today is the day they will start worshiping you, thanking you for being the annoyance you still are because there may be a treasure hiding in your closet.
Table of Contents
The prices of some Pokemon cards are just unbelievable. Lottery they say, card hunting is way more enjoyable and sure to pay off.
Let’s become millionaires together and get a real-life Pokemon for ourselves as a reward for our hard work!
DO NOTE THAT THESE PRICES MAY VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR COUNTRY, BUYER, AND THE TIME!
37. Shaymin EX: Roaring Skies
Predicted Worth: USD 350.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unknown
This is one of the most useful trick cards that you can have in your deck. Roaring Skies allows you to draw six consecutive cards and add them to your hand. When you are done, activate Sky Return and put the card back into your deck.
I turned into a Yu Gi Oh! Instruction manual here. Sorry, seems I got a bit lost in the anime universe, good thing I have Zoro to bring me back on the right track.
It cancels damages made to the card and it’s almost impossible to remove from the game. It’s like a clingy mosquito that won’t stop coming back to bite you.
If you are lucky, you could maybe find it at the reasonable price of USD 350.00, however, I doubt that anyone you’d actually let go of this card in the first place and that’s the number one reason why it’s worth won’t go up, no one wants to sell it.
36. 20th Anniversary 24-karat Gold Pikachu
Predicted Worth: USD 2,081.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 40
As we said before, normally, the rarest cards are the ones that got during the first few years after the launching of that revolutionary game.
However, Pikachu here destroyed them all when the card makers decided to make a special item for the 20th anniversary of Pokemon.
So, in 2016, they made, and you won’t believe this, a card using pure, real 24 karat gold. They had to hire a special someone, a famous jewelry maker in Japan, to make it since that was way out of their field of expertise. His name was Ginza Tanaka.
He based his design on the initial Japanese Pikachu card called ‘Fat Pikachu’. The latest recorded sale of his masterpiece was in 2016 and was bought for USD 2,081.00. Today you can probably multiply that number by three at least.
35. Misprinted Fossil Krabby
Predicted Worth: USD 2,200.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unknown
Going once, going twice, sold! Our Krabby here goes for the measly price of USD 2,200.00 and when I say measly, no sarcasm is meant!
This is one of the cheapest cards on this ranking list and it’s at least a 3-month salary worth for me.
Putting the price aside, what’s super interesting about this card is why it’s that expensive and why it’s super hard to find it.
Thing is, it’s the misprint that makes the card’s charm—yes, you read it right, a defect is what made it so valuable. When people say that imperfection is attractive, they are absolutely right and that card is the absolute proof!
A normal Fossil Krabby can be found everywhere for only USD 2.00 and just because part of the fossil symbol on this one is missing, its price skyrocketed to the moon.
So if you were irritated when you got the bad print, cheer up cuz you just made a ton of bucks. However, if I were you, I’d wait a bit before selling IT, I am predicting that its worth may increase even more.
34. 1999 First Edition Holo Shadowless Hitmonchan No. 7
Predicted Worth: USD 4,400.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unknown
Did you know Hitmonchan’s name is derived from Jackie Chan! He’s got to have the moves that come with that legendary name. However, I don’t know if he should be honored, or if Jacky should.
Our ferocious martial artist is lightning quick and always goes for the kill, the moves that will put all your opponent’s K.O.
Online, people are not super consistent with the price, but one thing is for sure it’s not a cheap one. It varies from USD 3,000.00 and goes up to USD 4,400.00.
However, if you can settle for the first edition that isn’t holographic you could most probably find it for around 300 bucks or so.
As a fighting-type Pokémon, he incorporates himself super well in any kind of deck and is sure to give you the upper hand in most of your fights. His fierce look is enough to make all your enemies tremble in fear.
33. Southern Islands Reverse Holo Mew
Predicted Worth: USD 6,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 19
To celebrate the release of the second Pokemon movie, the makers of the trading cards decided to release a special edition set of cards. They were sold for only USD 25.00 and the stupid kids that we were probably lost them all.
In those sets, the rarest card was unquestionably the Southern Islands Mew with only 19 available copies bestowed the PSA 10 grade.
It’s a beautiful card, all shiny and cute but what’s really beautiful about it is that it was recently sold in an auction for USD 6,000.00.
32. Prerelease Raichu
Predicted Worth: USD 10,500.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 0? 10? 100?
Okay, so I know I shouldn’t be adding rumors to the list, but it’s undeniable that Prerelease Raichu has its place with us.
Guys, that card is so unbelievably rare that we are not even sure that it even exists. So, you can imagine how difficult it is to find information on something that may not be real.
In terms of rarity, that card takes first place, even now, the debates, online, about its existence are on fire.
IF and only IF the card is real, it came to be due to an accident, a simple printing error where Prerelease was written on the bottom-right of the card.
A 100 copies were released into the wild but when Wizards of the Coast realized their mistake, they retracted them all. Only 10 of them managed to escape oblivion and should still be among us.
In the beginning, all the fans thought that it was lost to them until someone claimed that he bought a copy in 2009 for USD 10,500.00. However, until today, that news wasn’t confirmed as no one set eyes on the item.
That piece of information came out on the 1st of April. Someone played a huge prank on all of you. That would be the most original and elaborate April’s fools ever.
Just for the record, officially, the card was never certified by any professional, yet, nor did it come up in any official auction.
It’s considered to be more of a myth than a fact but if it ever appears, it will be like finding the Holy Grail. It will at 100% beat all the other cards in this list in terms of rarity and worth.
31. 1999 First Edition Shadowless Holo Mewtwo No. 10
Predicted Worth: USD 11,500.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 81
In the Red and Blue video games, MewTwo is one of the hardest Pokemon to catch and train, so of course, the card that represents him should be just as difficult to acquire. The guy has a reputation to maintain after all.
MewTwo is a Legendary Pokemon. Strong and majestic, his card is just as beautiful as his specs. I know I turned into a salesperson here but believe me I’m not trying to sell it to you, it’s probably way over your budget and mine as a matter of fact.
There were only 81 copies ever made, so you can imagine how crazy collectors are about it. On E-bay, right now, it’s worth as much as USD 11,500.00. Told ya, it’s over budget.
His backstory is also pretty cool. See, he is a psychic-type Pokemon that was created by a scientist who decided to experiment on him and modified his DNA using gene-splicing techniques to transform him into a violent and extremely dangerous creature.
30. The Masked Royal Prize Promo
Predicted Worth: USD 18,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 100
While most of the rare cards are super old—as old as 90s old, this one is actually pretty recent since it was released in 2017.
The Masked Royal is one of the featured characters in the Pokemon Sun & Moon series. A special event was held, a very exclusive one. Not many people had the chance to be invited. They made this card, especially for this occasion and only 100 copies were printed.
With only a 100 available cards in the entire world, the Masked Royal card, which has absolutely no special features whatsoever, is coveted by many. With scarcity comes worth and this card goes for the huge sum of USD 18,000.00.
Guys, USD 18,000.00, for a useless card, that’s just ridiculous, the marketing people of the event are surely laughing their butt off at us for managing to make us happily pay this much for something so irrelevant.
29. 2010 Pokemon World Championship Master Key
Predicted Worth: USD 21,201.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 36
The Master Key card is another very interesting item on the list. In 2010, in Hawaii – Honolulu, a tournament was held. Pokemon players came from all different parts of the Earth to participate, just like in the anime.
The 36 top high rankers of the Japan World Championship were given that card as a reward. Only 36 cards were ever made, and no other version of the Master Key was ever created, making this one the one and only.
While most of the players who worked their butt off to put their hands on that unique item cherished it like it was a member of their family, only one of them decided to sell it. I guess he was desperate for the money at the time, but at least he got what he wanted since it sold at USD 21,201.00
28. 1996 Poliwrath No Rarity Symbol Base Set
Predicted Worth: USD 25,025.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 62
Poliwrath isn’t the coolest nor the most powerful Pokemon we have ever seen and yet his card is a gold mine.
In the Japanese set, during the first edition run, that card had absolutely no markings at all. The numbers of copies that were printed aren’t even worth mentioning considering how meager they were. And not even half of them managed to survive the past three decades, which is very sad.
Taking all of that into account, you can understand why the value of those specific cards went through the roof as the years passed.
In 2020, the price of Poliwrath was around USD 25,025.00 and today it’s worth even more. Now talking to the idiots who traded that treasure because Poliwrath isn’t kakkoii enough for you, you can start biting your nails in despair, the guy you gave it to is now rich.
27. 2003 Crystal Charizard Holo Skyridge
Predicted Worth: USD 25,100.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 182
True Pokemon collectors have been hunting their pets since its launching in 99. As years passed, the more recent prints didn’t really have the impact that was desired, and thus, the number of prints wasn’t particularly high.
In 2003, the fabrication of the Skyridge was pathetically lower in comparison to the previous expansions and this card became the last publication produced by Wizards of the Coasts which showcases the renowned designs of e-reader.
Because of its scarcity, the vintage pack climbed in value and became one of the priciest sets ever printed. And of course, the superstar of the lot was the one and only Charizard.
Its unique and magnificent Crystal Holographic design alternative is more difficult to find than true unconditional love and the latest collectible was bought for USD 25,100.00.
26. Let’s Trade Please!
Predicted Worth: USD 25,185.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 60
Only in Japan did that card be introduced into the market as one of the items that were included in the Trade Please campaign that lasted from February 10, 1998, to July 31, 1998.
All the contestants were expected to send a flier including a copy of Trade Please by Suzukisan to MediaFactory plus two Pokémon trading cards of their choice as well as a return envelope before the end of the period of the campaign.
The contestants had the freedom to pick a “course” by filling the black space on the flier before sending it.
The “A Course” would get you a Charizard card as well as a copy of the same card. The “B Course” would get you a Blastoise card as well as a copy of the same card. Finally, The “C Course” would get you a Venusaur card as well as a copy of the same card.
To conclude the trade, all MediaFactory had to do was send to the contestant the cards in accordance with the course that they chose.
Later on, that card was reissued as a “Supporter” card that was included in the XY-P Promotional card collection and was also accessible during the Trade Please Campaign 20th, which started on September 16, 2016, and will be available as long as supplies endure.
All the people that were visiting or participating in the Pokémon Store Outlets, Pokémon Stores, and Pokémon Centers, and the people that came to the 20th Anniversary Festa venues in October, had the possibility to trade 20 Pokémon TCG cards presenting a standard reverse with one of the staff members choosing from one of two “courses“. All they had to do was whisper the secret code of that long campaign: “Trade Please!”.
The “A Course” would get you a Pikachu card and a copy of that same card. The “B Course” would get you a Charizard card and a copy of that same card. You have the right to trade one time per day for as long as the campaign lasts.
Completely forgot to tell you how much that card costs today. The official price is USD 25,185.00. However, it was not yet put to auction, it is expected that it can fetch much more than that.
25. Charizard Gold Star Holo Dragon Frontiers
Predicted Worth: USD 25,405.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 102
Gold Stars, what can I say about them except that they are awesome! With that noble color comes prestige, so be sure that our list will be filled with them.
In 25th position we have the infamous Charizard coming straight out from the 2004 Dragon Frontiers.
Marked items are known for driving the fans crazy especially when the maker of the cards put extra effort into the artwork and this shiny Charizard really exceeded all expectations.
That specific card was auctioned in 2021 and was sold for the exorbitant sum of USD 25,405.00 and technically, considering how rare it is, the seller should’ve gotten an even higher price on this item. I guess the auctioneers were just cheapskates that day.
24. 2002 Pokémon World Championships No. 1 Trainer
Predicted Worth: USD 31,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 151
Pokémon World Championships No. 1 Trainer is the first release of two super valuable and extremely rare Pokémon cards. That specific card was given as a reward to the champion of the regional Battle Road Spring tournaments that were organized in Japan in 2002.
The regional Battle Road Spring tournaments were in a way the qualifier tests for the Pokémon World Championships, thus a very small number of that card were printed for the scarce champions of the many battles that were held. And so, it is one of the most difficult cards to acquire.
Not only extremely rare and super cool, but each one of those cards are also unique since they are specially customized for the winner since their names will be written on the top of the card to affirm their everlasting victory.
Each Pokémon World Championships No. 1 Trainer card is a one-of-a-kind that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. And of course, because they were personalized, their value skyrocketed exponentially.
The Pokémon World Championships No. 1 Trainer card made in 2002 was illustrated by Ken Sugimori, renowned since he was one of the initial designers and creators of Pokémon’s first-generation set of 151 Pokémon cards.
On the last card that was sold, you could read the following written on it: “The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament Battle Road Spring 2002 champion is recognized here, and his honor is praised.”
That same card was auctioned in 2021 and was sold for the terrifying sum of USD 31,000.00 and yet this one is not the rarest of the lot, wait till I tell you how much the No. 2 went for.
23. Neo Summer Battle Road Number 2 Trainer Trophy
Predicted Worth: USD 34,100.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 20
One of the most exciting contests was held in Japan in 2002. All the champion TCG players came from all around the world to participate in a bumble of challenges that took them all over the country.
The contestants that managed to get 2nd place in their respective division would receive as a reward the famous Number 2 Trainer Trophy card.
Due to the circumstance in which it was handed off, you can imagine how scarce that card must be. While most people are reluctant to separate from it, there was one person that auctioned it in 2021.
During the auction, fans realized that each one of those cards are special since the initials of the person who won the card is embedded on it.
On the one that was sold, you could read Fukunishi Tomoki, the contestant who won the 2nd award in the Junior Division in the Kanto area competition. Because it turned out to be a card in a class by itself, its value quickly increased.
Add that to the fact that the unique artwork was produced in the famous E-Series format and that card went for USD 34,100.00. Cheap change considering there is only one of it in the entire world.
22. Daisuki Club Holo Masters Scroll Promo
Predicted Worth: USD 35,200.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unknown
Only in Japan did the fans have the honor to join the Pokemon Daisuki Club. That organization gives them some extra privileges as players like, for example, exclusive promotions that will help them acquire limited print run merchandise.
Complete special tasks, collect as many points as possible, and then exchange those points with awesome rewards.
The number 1 prize, the most difficult one to get, was the exceptionally sparse Masters Scroll Pokemon card promo that demanded no less than 8,600 points to obtain.
Because it was super difficult to get, the makers didn’t bother printing many of them so it’s extremely scarce.
The marvelous gold-flecked holo has never been seen after the making of that card thus turning it into a golden promotional merch in the 25-year of TCG’s history. Considering its worth, it’s perfectly normal for the few who have it to hold on to it as if their lives depend on it.
So, when it came up in the PWCC auction in 2021, people, the collectors, they just went crazy, ready to literally kill each other over that specific card.
The lucky guy who won the item bought it for USD 35,200.00 and its worth is sure to increase in the upcoming years as I doubt that we will ever see another one of those cards go up for auction.
21. 1995 Japanese Topsun Holofoil Charizard No.6
Predicted Worth: USD 34,600.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 16
We didn’t get enough of our beloved fire-throwing Dragon, Charizard. Let’s give him a memorable comeback through one of his most desirable cards, a Topsun prism holofoil card.
The artwork that is depicted in that magnificent masterpiece is based on the cover image of the Pokemon Red video game that was published by the Nintendo Game Boy in 1996 in Japan.
So, to add a little backstory to the mix, before giving you the price of that card, you should know that the Japanese Topsun cards made in 1995 are the most unique and interesting cards that were made in the early days of the Pokemon cards industry.
They were delivered in the packs of Top-Seika apple-flavored gum where three different versions of the cards were available. The green-back card, blue-back card, and the rarest ones, the prism holofoil cards.
150 Pokemons were depicted in the blue-back and green-back versions of the cards, however, the prism holofoil versions were made using only 16 different Pokemons.
Those cards have a 1995 trademark, but it was confirmed that they were only distributed as late as 1997.
Hope we enjoyed our little jump into the past, let’s go back to Charizard, its card was bought in 2020 for USD 37,600.00.
20. Chansey #3 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set
Predicted Worth: USD 36,877.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 32
Base sets are the top of the top, especially for hardcore collectors. First of all, they feature the TCG’s top-notch and most elaborated artwork. And second of all, the nostalgia that they bring back for all those senior players is enough to make them meltdown in tears.
Putting all that into consideration, the more time passed the more valuable those cards would get. And Chansey’s #3 Pokemon cards have been getting a lot of attention lately, so much attention that even veteran’s jaws dropped when they saw the price that that card could fetch.
In 2019, its value was floating around USD 20,000.00 and started climbing without interruption since then.
Not a year after, in 2020, according to the PWCC records, a 1st Edition Shadowless card was bought for as much as USD 36,877.00 and the buyer was even surprised that he managed to get it for such a price.
19. Rayquaza Gold Star Holo Ex Deoxys
Predicted Worth: USD 44,280.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 56
When we think about the royal family of the Pokemon world, the King would most probably be Charizard and I believe that Rayquaza would be the Crowned Prince or something. I can’t really give him the title Queen, just can’t imagine those two Pokemons married.
Rayquaza is very rarely seen in any kind of Pokemon card and even more so as EX Deoxys’ Rayquaza Gold Star, so I don’t really need to explain to you how valuable that card must be in the eyes of the fans.
Around the globe, till today, just 56 certified PSA 10 cards are circulating in the market that make that card as important as the Holo Base Set Shadowless Charizard.
The PSA estimated that magnificent card for approximately USD 40,400.00 and they weren’t far from the goal since in the auction that was held in 2021 it was sold for USD 44,280.00.
18. Blastoise 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set
Predicted Worth: USD 45,100.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 20
Another one of our famous Base sets features the super popular and adored Blastoise. Our Water Type Pokemon always fetched a super high price whenever it appeared on any type of card, so when it’s on a unique one you can imagine the uproar it is causing.
The first generation of Pokemon collectors always put Blastoise on equal footing with the infamous Charizard, so even now, all of them are ready to go bankrupt to add him to their collection.
During the PWCC auction that was organized in 2020, the Base Set Blastoise was bought for USD 45,100.00. My car can’t fetch one-third of that price and it’s just vexing considering it’s just a card.
17. 2004 Team Rocket Returns Gold Star Holo Torchic No. 108 (Tie)
Predicted Worth: USD 50,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 17
Normally, only Charizard’s cards would go for this much, so Team Rocket really made an impressive comeback and won a battle for once.
Before giving you the final worth of this card, let me just tell you a bit about it. In the meantime, you can try to guess its price.
So, PSA-wise, grade 8 has 77 copies, grade 9 has 138 copies and grade 10 only has 17 copies. In terms of rarity, it’s criminally scarce.
While Team Rocket Returns expansion was severely underrated when it came out, Torchic, however, thanks to his popularity, wasn’t really affected. His cuteness makes him irresistible, and fans can’t help but love him unconditionally and we can all understand why.
I made you wait long enough, drum roll, please… Team Rocket Returns Gold Star Holo Torchic goes for USD 50,000.00 and that’s not all, the value of Pokemon cards increases at an unbelievable rate, almost 8,000% every 4 years!
The moral of the story is, if you have Yuugi Mutou level of luck, and you happen to have that card in your possession, go hide it in some super-secure bank, people will start coming after you. Hire bodyguards as well, you’ll need them.
16. 1997 Silver Trophy Pikachu: Never Sold
Predicted Worth: USD 50,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unknown
The finalists of the Japan World Championship didn’t get a cash reward or a mundane trophy, no, they got Pikachu cards holding a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Trophy. Eventually, they can be considered cash rewards considering how much they go for on the market.
There were records of Gold and Bronze Trophies that were sold for approximately USD 50,000.00. However, the trainers that came in the second position, to keep their dignity while facing the number one, never let go of their reward.
Even today there isn’t one single Silver Trophy Pikachu card that was bought, so of course, setting a price is impossible since we have no info on it. The one thing I can say for sure is that it costs at least USD 50,000.00 and it’s worth will climb even higher in an auction.
15. Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer
Predicted Worth: USD 50,300.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 5
It’s hard to believe but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s true, a low-quality card managed to find a place this high in the ranking and in the 15th position no less! And it doesn’t even have a grade.
Even in that case, the PSA will anyway give the card an official certification. So don’t base all your expectations on the grading, Tropical No. 2 Trainer card is in prime condition, only the back lost a bit of color due to sun exposure.
It was firstly handed out during the 99 Mega Battle tournament that was held in Japan and just the best players were rewarded with that one-of-a-kind card. Until today, the PSA only laid eyes on 5 of those cards, thus turning it into probably the scarcest Pokemon collectible in the universe.
Even after taking into consideration the low quality of that Pokemon card, its value is still exceptional. We are kind of grateful that it’s not perfect or no one would’ve been able to afford it.
In 2020, Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer was auctioned and sold for USD 50,300.00. And let me highlight this point again, it is a damaged card! And it’s worth more than a sports car. AND his value is only expected to increase in the future.
14. 1996 Venusaur No Rarity Symbol Base Set No Rarity (Autographed)
Predicted Worth: USD 55,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 96
In the English model of the TCG Base Set, we had the famous 1st Edition engraved cards, they were the initial print of the 96 Japanese issue and had absolutely no symbol on them. They later come to be known as No Rarity, the artifacts of the Pokemon world.
In 2021, one of the five PSA-certified Venusaur Pokemon cards that came straight out from that legendary set was auctioned on November 18th and was sold for the exorbitant sum of USD 55,000.00. It set a world record at the time.
That card is special in itself and was but it came with an extra bonus since the casing of the card was signed by the original designer, the one and only Mitsuhiro Arita. Those simple scribbles made it so much more valuable that collectors would literally kill to get it.
13. Summer Battle Road Mew Victory Orb Trophy
Predicted Worth: USD 60,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unkown
In 1998, we saw the unfolding of the Summer Battle Road competition where the Mew Victory Orb was handed out as a trophy to the winners. Their battles traveled across nine Japanese regions and only the three best Pokemon trainers were entrusted with that iconic card.
In 2020, in December to be exact, one of those cards popped out during a PWCC auction and after a fierce and long battle between the auctioneer, the victor walked out paying USD 60,000.00.
A huge amount of money but at least he got an extra bonus prize with it since it came in its original plaque that was given during the finals.
12. Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Promo
Predicted Worth: USD 66,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unkown
Shogakukan’s Magazines organized a cool event for students all around Japan in 1998. Each new publication of the magazine would include a test that the participants could answer and send back so they could be graded.
The ones that would get the highest scores on those tests would get an invitation to participate in a unique Pokemon conference in Osaka. Of course, it wasn’t going to be some boring presentation or anything like that, that conference was all about awesome Pokemon Battles.
The victors of the many contests that were held would be given as a reward the Magikarp Trophy Pokemon card Promo. Considering how exclusive the event was and the scarcity of the card, it is not surprising that it went for USD 66,000.00 in 2021.
11. Umbreon Gold Star Holo
Predicted Worth: USD 70,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 20
Eevee, in its original form, is already super popular and adored amongst Pokemon fans and its evolution is even more converted so it’s super normal that a Gold Star Umbreon card would be approaching the top 10 of that list.
To get that pristine card, the contenders had to win more than 70,000 XP points before the conclusion of the fourth season of the Pokemon Players Club to get it.
Due to the extremely difficulty to fulfill the required prerequisites, a very low amount of those cards were actually handed out and even fewer of them were found on sale.
However, in 2021, we witnessed an auction where that card appeared and the fans were at each other’s throats. In the end, the guy who got it paid USD 70,000.00 and was super satisfied with his purchase.
10. 1999 No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle
Predicted Worth: USD 90,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unkown
We are still in the end of the 90s and the Pokemon agency organized local tournaments all over Japan.
The victors would be rewarded with the No. 1 Trainer Pokemon card but that would only be the beginning of their adventure since that card gave them the right to participate in the Final of that event that was going to be held in a top-secret location.
The card took its name from the mysterious vibes that surrounded the Final and was called “Super Secret Battle”. On that card, you can see the shadow of Mewtwo, an extremely popular Pokemon which made that card even more wanted.
In 2020, that card was sold for the mind-blowing price of USD 90,000.00, an extremely expensive and most unique card in existence, and it is worth every penny.
9. 2006 Pokemon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer
Predicted Worth: USD 110,100.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 3
We are still climbing in the amount of those cards and here we have a one-of-a-kind Trophy card that was the prize during the World Championship that took place in California in 2006.
In the entire universe, only three were made so it’s actually a miracle that the owner had the strength to let go of it and put it up for auction.
In 2021, there was an online auction, and the Pokemon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer card was sold for an astonishing amount of USD 110,100.00.
8. 2000 Pokémon Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9
Predicted Worth: USD 144,300.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 5
If I just tell you how much that card was bought for, you can guess how unique it is if someone is willing to pay that abnormal amount for, in the end, a card.
When the 1st Edition Lugia came out it destroyed all records and fetched a price of USD 129,000.00 in 2020, cute since this one smashed it not one year later when it was bought for the exorbitant sum of USD 144,300.00
Lugia is a nice Pokemon but that’s pure exaggeration. If you have that much money to spare, give me some!
7. 1999 Pokémon Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind
Predicted Worth: USD 148,482.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 10
In 1999, an event called Tropical Mega Battle was organized. To mark that special moment, twelve Tropical Wind cards were printed to serve as promotional cards for the campaign.
That event became the predecessor of the Pokémon World Championships, thus turning the sets that came out during that event into one of the most unique and most important Pokémon sets ever created.
Only 50 contestants that came from different parts of the world participated in the Tropical Mega Battle that was held in Hawaii, Honolulu.
However, those 50 players weren’t randomly chosen. All of them won a Pokemon Battle in their respective county and earned the right to participate in that iconic event.
Only the best of the best had the right to enter the arena of that very exclusive battle stage, and between all those professional trainers, some could even be considered gods in the Pokemon world and had the chance to prove themselves during the event.
The cards that were prepared as a reward are the symbol, the proof of their talent, of their victory and a treasure for collectors and fans who would pay a handsome sum to put their hands on it.
The card that we are introducing here is the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle promotional card. It has a PSA of 10, it’s in perfect condition and someone won it in an auction and paid the huge amount of USD 65,100.00.
An extremely high price that isn’t even close to the real value of the card since PSA estimated it at USD 148,482.00. So in a way, the guy walked out with more money than when he came in.
6. Kangaskhan-Holo #115 Family Event Trophy Card
Predicted Worth: USD 150,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 11
This Trophy card is one of the most elaborate in terms of artwork and cuteness since it features Kangaskhan with his kid in his pouch.
The makers of the cards never chose the name or the design of the card randomly, everything has a meaning and this one was pointing out the fact that both children and their parents had to participate in the event to get that reward.
With only eleven cards ever made, in the 2020 auction, it was sold for a surreal amount of USD 150,000.00.
5. Espeon Gold Star POP Series 5
Predicted Worth: USD 194,209.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 27
We all know how valuable and how expensive Gold Star Pokémon cards can be. They are the GOAT of the Pokemon world, and no amount of money can come close to how valuable they are.
You can know which Pokemon cards are among the Elites when you see a gold star beside the name of the Pokemon on the very top of the card and that is an indicator that the card features alternative-color and design that is unique, very different for the mundane versions that you can find in the market.
In the entire world, just 27 Gold Star cards were printed and released into the market from 2004 to 2007. In three years, only 27! They are almost impossible to find and are super rare. The Gold Star cards have the chance of coming up just one time in roughly every 88 booster packs.
We have two versions of each card, the original Japanese version and the English one. The Japanese version is way more valuable and way more difficult to find than the alternate English version.
Even though the English version is considered lower quality, Espeon Gold Star cards can only be sold for an exceptionally high amount of money. In 2021, A PSA 10 Gold Star Espeon rated was bought for more than USD 22,000.00. However, PSA estimates the card at around USD 194,209.00.
4. Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card (Autographed)
Predicted Worth: USD 247,230.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: Unkown
This is actually one of the most horrid cards that were ever made, and I guess his unique ugliness made it popular. It depicts the CEO of The Pokemon Company called Tsunekazu Ishihara in a hilarious cartoonish way.
And that card wasn’t given to the player but to the employees that came to the director’s birthday party in 2017.
In 2021 during the Goldin Auctions, it was bought for USD 247,230.00 and it was in fact signed by the famous President.
3. Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star hologram
Predicted Worth: USD 360,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 1
That card was unknown to all until collectors came to know of its existence in 2021. Just two of them exist, only one was ever seen and the second is lost in our vast world.
In 2021, during the Heritage Auctions it was bought, and this number is hard to write, for the god-like amount of USD 360,000.00.
This card was only supposed to be a prototype that would be used as a template for future prints and turned into one of the most expensive things on Earth.
2. 1999 First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard #4
Predicted Worth: USD 40,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 1
I said it before and I’ll say it again, in the Pokemon universe, Charizard is undeniably the King of all Pokemon. Every time you bought a pack, every time you traded cards, he was the one you wanted, and you still do.
And the First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard is surely an extremely special one since not only is it mega extremely rare, but it can also make you rich.
Weirdly, it is seen a lot in auctions, but it always shatters all expectations and all records in terms of price. The first time it went for USD 226,000.00, the second for USD 350,000.00, and the third for USD 369,000.00.
His legend is not over since in 2022, another one was put on sale and this time it was bought for the supernatural amount of USD 420,000.00.
1. Illustrator CoroCoro Comics Promo (Pikachu illustrator card)
Predicted Worth: USD 6,000,000.00
Estimated Number Of Cards Left: 41
And in the first place, the Pokemon that we haven’t seen in the entire list, and yet he is the most adored. He is the image of Pokemon, its icon, the first one ever introduced, the rarest, we have the legendary Pikachu.
This card is a special one since it wasn’t through battles that it was won but through an art competition which required a totally different set of skills.
Throughout the years its price never stopped increasing. It started at the not so puny amount of USD 200,00.00 and in 2022, it trampled on all records and probably set the bar so high that it might never be reached by any other card since it went for the maddening amount of USD 6,000,000.00.
I didn’t mistakenly add any additional 0’s, that card is worth 6 million dollars and is now owned by YouTuber Logan Paul and I don’t know why that is bothering me, but the guy is 27 years old… with millions of dollars to spare for a card.
Conclusion
To end this list, I’ll give you a piece of advice, never throw anything you own impulsively, they might become valuable collectibles that will maybe, one day, turn you into a rich person.
And if any of you found a treasure in your closet as you were trying your luck, tell us which one it is in the comments, I swear I won’t get jealous.
