Pokémon cards have been a popular collectible for many years, and fans of all ages look for rare and valuable cards to add to their collections. When new card sets come out, collectors are always excited and looking forward to finding the next big hit that will become valuable.
Key Takeaways
- A Pokémon card’s value is based mainly on how rare it is.
- Cards in good condition and haven’t been damaged or changed are usually worth more than cards that have been altered.
- Cards with unique art or special abilities are more expensive than other cards.
- The most expensive Pokemon card is the Pikachu Illustrator, which is valued at $5.275 million, followed by Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless Base, valued at $420,000.
- Guinness World Records declared the Pikachu Illustrator card the most expensive Pokemon card in August 2022, which boxer and internet celebrity Logan Paul purchased for $5.275 million
Most Expensive Pokémon Card in 2023
People have many ideas about which Pokémon card will be the most expensive in 2023. A card’s value is based on how rare it is, how much people want it, and how the market is doing.
Some experts think the most expensive card in 2023 will be a rare and highly wanted card from an early set. Others believe it could be a card from a recent high-demand set because it is used in competitive play.
It’s important to remember that the value of the most expensive card in 2023 could also be affected by the world economy and other factors.
Guinness World Records declared the Pikachu Illustrator card the most valuable Pokémon card in August 2022, which boxer and internet celebrity Logan Paul purchased for $5.275 million. Guinness says that only one PSA grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card is known to exist in the world.
#1 Rarest Pokémon Card
Some Pokémon cards are rare and valuable due to their low print runs, scarcity, and demand. These cards, considered the rarest, can vary over time due to changes in the market and the availability of certain cards. Some Pokémon cards that are currently considered to be among the rarest include:
- Pikachu Illustrator: This card is a picture of Pikachu and is thought to be among the rarest and most valuable Pokémon cards. In 1998, an art contest in Japan gave out this card to the champions of the contest. Only 39 cards are thought to have been made. There is only one Pikachu Illustrator card with a PSA of 10.
- Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless Base: The second-rarest card was first released in 1999. It has only 121 copies and is the most valuable Charizard Pokémon card.
Other rare cards include the 1999 Pokémon Professor Oak’s Research Promo and the 2000 Pokémon Game Boy Color Promo.
Collectors highly demand these cards due to their rarity and unique features, and as a result, they can sell for a lot of money.
Related: Topps Pokémon Cards Value
Top 10 Most Expensive Pokémon Card
Based on current market values, the top 5 most expensive Pokémon cards are:
- Pikachu Illustrator: $5.275 million
This card is among the rarest and most highly-priced Pokémon cards. In July 2021, it was auctioned and sold at $5.275 million. It was first released in Japan in 1997 as a prize for the winners of a design contest for Pokémon cards. The card has a unique “Illustrator” feature and art by Atsuko Nishida, who was one of the first to design Pokémon characters.
- Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless Base: $420,000
Charizard has been among the most popular Pokémon cards since its release in 1999. In May 2022, a Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless Base sold at auction for $420,000, more than it had ever sold for before.
The PSA has only given a Gem Mint 10 rating to 121 copies of the card. This card is considered the holy grail of Pokémon cards because it is so rare and has a cool holographic image.
- Blastoise Pokémon Presentation Galaxy Star Holo: $360,000
At the moment, only two are considered to have ever existed, making it very rare. This card was auctioned off in January 2021 for $350,000, which made it the third most expensive collectible.
The Pokémon card was made in 1998 by Wizards of the Coast. Its goal was to get Nintendo of Japan to let it manage the English-language release of the TCG.
- Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card: $247,230
This card depicts Tsunekazu Ishihara, president of the Pokémon Company. It was given to the company’s staff in 2017 to honor the man’s 60th birthday. There are only about 30 to 100 copies of this card. In April 2021, a duplicate of the card that Ishihara had signed sold for $247,230.
- Family Event Trophy Card Kangaskhan-Holo #115: $150,100
The first people to get this valuable Pokémon card were the participants of a Family tournament in Japan in 1998. In October 2020, this card sold for $150,100. Only three cards have been sold over the past two decades.
- 2000 Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia: $144,300
Lugia is one of the most famous and well-known Pokémon. It was on the cover of the Game Boy game Soul Silver. In May 2021, a Beckett-graded 10 version of the item sold at a PWCC auction for $144,300.
- World Championships Pokémon Promo No. 2 Trainer: $110,100
In February 2021, this card auctioned for $110,100. In August 2006, the Pokémon World Championship gave out this card to the contest winners. According to PSA, there are only three copies left.
- No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle: $90,000
The Trainer Super Secret Battle card is among the cards reserved only for Pokémon masters. This card was first released in 1999 as a prize to the Winner of the Japan Pokémon contest held in a secret location. In July 2020, the Japanese card sold for $90,000.
- Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Promo: $66,100
This card was released in 1998 in the Shogakukan’s Magazines contest held in Japan. The contest featured kids who were tasked with solving many tasks. Those who passed were invited to a tournament in Osaka, where the winners took home this card. The card was auctioned in February 2021 and sold for $66,100.
- Tropical Mega Battle Pokémon Japanese Promo Tropical Wind: $65,100
A group of 50 Pokémon trading card game players was invited to a tournament in Hawaii. Twelve winners were awarded the 12 promo cards for the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle. In October 2020, this card was auctioned for $65,100.
Pokémon Cards That are Worth Money
A few factors can contribute to a Pokémon card being worth money. They include:
- Rarity: Scarcity and demand make rare cards more valuable
- Unique features: Holographic images or special artwork can increase a card’s value.
- Demand: Cards that are in high demand because they are used in competitive games or because of the popularity of the Pokémon character featured on the card often cost more.
Some specific examples of Pokémon cards worth a lot of money include Pikachu Illustrator, worth $5.275 million, and Charizard 1st Edition Shadowless Base, which sold for $420,000.
The Most Expensive Pokémon Card Charizard
Charizard is a well-known and popular Pokémon character. Charizard-themed Pokémon are often very valuable and sought after. The 1999 First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard is the most valuable Charizard card and was sold at $420,000.
Other valuable Charizard cards are the 1999 Pokémon Japanese Charizard Promo, which sold for more than $20,000, and the 1999 Pokémon Japanese Holographic Charizard, which sold for more than $10,000.
Rare Pokémon cards for Sale
There are a few trustworthy online markets and dealers where collectors can buy rare Pokémon cards, such as eBay, TCG Player, and PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator). It’s essential to consider the card’s authenticity and condition when buying rare Pokémon cards online.
The Most Expensive Pokémon Base Set Cards
Pokémon base set cards are the most sought-after by collectors, especially those from the earliest sets, which came out in the late 1990s. These cards are often precious and in high demand. Here is a list of the most expensive base set Pokémon cards:
- Pikachu
- Charizard
- Blastoise
- Venusaur
- Raichu
Related: Value of 1st Edition Pokémon Cards
Conclusion
Overall, the most expensive Pokémon cards are usually rare promotional cards or cards given away as prizes at tournaments. These cards often have artwork that is holographic or made of gold foil. Many of the best cards are from the first sets or have well-known Pokémon characters on them. The demand for these cards is driven by collectors and competitive players who want to finish their sets or use them in tournaments.