Pokémon
The 5 most expensive Pokémon TCG cards ever sold in history
We take a look at the most expensive cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as of 2024, and how much it would cost to buy them now.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game has been a great experience that has been part of the franchise for nearly 25 years. Over this time, we have seen a large number of expansions that have added pocket monsters to the game, as well as new mechanics that attempt to replicate elements that have appeared in video games.
However, we cannot deny that, as with any type of Trading Card Game, collecting is one of the legs on which they stand, either for sentimental value or because your favorite Pokémon comes out. This has led to some of the cards becoming true cult objects, worthy of being kept by a few, and has sometimes led to a simple cardboard card becoming something more. This depends on the quality, the artist, or in some cases, the number of cards produced.
This time, we will look at which Pokémon TCG cards have become the true holy grail among collectors, updated to 2024.
The most expensive Pokémon TCG cards to date
5 - Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Holo
- Release Date 1998
- Value: $360,000
One of the rarest cards in history, as it’s currently unknown exactly how many copies of this card exist. Created by Wizards of the Coast, creators of Magic: The Gathering, to win the bidding for the rights to the English version of Pokémon TGC.
4. Base Set Charizard Holo (First Edition) (Shadowless)
- Release Date: 1999
- Value: $420,000
The dream of many, the object for which Pokémon card collecting began to go viral. There are only 121 Charizard cards with a Gem Mint 10 rating, according to auction house PWCC.
3. Trophy Pikachu Silver 2nd Tournament Card
- Release Date: 1998
- Value $444,000
A card awarded at the Lizardon (Japanese name for Charizard) Mega Battle, considered the first official national Pokémon tournament. It was awarded to the top three players in the tournament. Only 14 of these cards exist.
2. Topsun Charizard Blue Back Card
- Release Date: 1995 (Debated)
- Value $493,230
Although it is not part of the TCG as we know it today, it is one of the most sought-after by collectors. This card appeared in the gum boxes sold by Topsun in Japan between 1995 and 1997, a date that is debated by fans. To have this card in a Gem Mint 10 grading is a real treasure.
1. Illustrator CoroCoro Comics Promo (Pikachu Illustrator card)
- Release Date: 1998
- Value: $5,275,000
The Holy Grail of Pokémon card collecting. It was a prize in an art competition in the 1990s, and there are less than 20 in the world. The fact that celebrities like Logan Paul and former New York Giants football player Blake Martinez have bought and sold these cards has given them a higher visibility (and value) in recent years.