The 20 Most Expensive Pokémon Cards Ever

Pokémon cards have become a collectible item with a soaring value over time. From rare first editions to misprints, some cards have become legendary in the Pokémon universe and collectible memorabilia. Here are the 20 most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold, providing a glimpse into the world of Pokémon cards.

20 most expensive Pokémon cards ever

1. Illustrator Pikachu (1998)

The population 1 PSA 10 Illustrator Pikachu is a truly unique card that was purchased by YouTube star Logan Paul in 2022 for a whopping $5.275 million, making it the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold. In exact terms, he gave $4 million in cash in addition to a PSA 9 Illustrator Pikachu that he had previously owned.

2. Charizard Topsun Blue Back (1997)

The item is a PSA 10 graded item, sold in January 2021 at Goldin for a price of $493,230.

A rare Pokémon trading card game card, the Blue Back Topsun Charizard peaked in 2021 with the most recent Pokémon mania. At first valued for being one of the first cards with Charizard printed on it, PSA misdated this card, which was actually printed in 1997.

3. First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard #4 (1999)

The item in question is a PSA 10 graded item sold in March 2022 at PWCC for a price of $420,000.

Notably, the card’s value underwent a significant change as in February 2024, the same PSA 10 First Edition Charizard commanded a sale price of $168,000 in its last PWCC auction appearance, indicating a noticeable adjustment in its auction performance over time.

4. Trophy No.2 Pikachu, Silver 2nd Place, Second Tournament (1998)

The item, graded PSA 10, was sold in September 2023 at Goldin for a price of $440,000.

The 1997-98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle Pokémon tournament event featured a rare Pikachu trophy card, illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, the most iconic Pokémon illustrator to date. With 14 copies believed to exist, it is one of the rarest cards of all time. Of these, 4 have been graded by PSA, with this copy being the only one to attain a PSA 10.

5. Commissioned Presentation Blastoise Galaxy Star Holo (1998)

The item was sold in January 2021 at Heritage Auctions for $360,000, with a grade of CGC 8.5.

Commissioned Presentation Blastoise is a rare and valuable Pokémon card that features a holofoil pattern and a blank back. It was only printed in two copies. This legendary card was almost lost to time, only featured in one interview. Another similar card was created for international purposes but remains a mystery.

6. Charizard, No Rarity Symbol, w/ Mitsuhiro Arita Signature on Case (1996)

The item in question is a Grade 10 PSA, sold in April 2022 at PWCC for a price of $324,000.

This is the first printing of Charizard in the Pokémon TCG, and it features the iconic Base Set artwork of Mitsuhiro Arita. This card is a part of Pokemon history and is rare and expensive, with only 8 examples graded as such. The signature by Arita on the case adds even more value, although it is not authenticated and may detract from the card’s eye appeal. The standard PSA 10 copy of this card is rare and expensive.

7. Trophy Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze (1997)

The item, graded PSA 8, was sold in April 2023 at Heritage Auctions for a price of $300,000.

The Pikachu trophy card, exclusive to the first Pokémon tournament in 1997, was given to the first-ever National Championships for Pokémon. It was only available to the four third-place winners of each event.

8. Snap Pikachu (1999)

The item is a PSA Authentic, sold in June 2023, for a private sale price of $270,000.

Snap Magikarp and Snap Gyarados were in the same competition when Snap Pikachu was launched.

Despite its long history and growing popularity, it remains a rare find. A single copy was acquired by renowned collector Dubsy from a Japanese store for $270,000, showcasing the continued growth and discovery of the Pokémon hobby. This remarkable sale highlights the ongoing interest in the hobby and its potential for further discovery.

9. Tsunekazu Ishihara Signed Promo (2017)

The item was sold in April 2021 at Goldin Auctions for $247,230, graded PSA 7 (Autograph PSA 9).

In 2017, a promotional card was released for the birthday of Pokémon founder and president Tsunekazu Ishihara. Distributed to employees, it currently has a population of 10 from PSA and 12 from CGC. 

The card’s value is primarily based on the creator’s signature, which is graded a 9, and the card is only a PSA 7.

10. Test Print Blastoise Gold Border (1998)

The item was sold in July 2021 at Heritage Auctions for $216,000.

This card, one of the rarest and oldest Pokémon cards, is considered one of WotC’s earliest attempts to produce English Pokémon cards. It features an odd font, a gold border around the art box, a foil front, and sharp edges. 

Only five cards have ever been graded by CGC, and this card sold for $216,000 in July 2021. A second copy sold for the same price in November 2021.

11. Umbreon Gold Star, Japanese 70,000 Points PLAY Promo (2005)

The item is a PSA 10 graded item sold in February 2024 at PWCC for a price of $180,000.

The Japanese Gold Star Umbreon was acquired through the Pokémon Players Club in Japan by amassing 70,000 points by the end of the fourth season. This unique system required participants to engage in various Pokémon-related activities and events to earn points, demonstrating a significant commitment to the Pokémon community. 

12. Family Event Trophy Kangaskhan (1998)

The item, graded PSA 10, was sold in July 2023 at Heritage Auctions for $175,000.

This Kangaskhan, released in May 1998, was exclusive to the Parent/Child Mega Battle tournament in Japan. It was awarded to winning teams. 

The card features a unique set symbol, the original Pocket Monsters Trading Card Gamelogo, making it one of the few early promotional Pokémon cards to feature this symbol. Many of these rare cards are among the rarest in the hobby.

13. Extra Battle Day Lillie (2019)

The item is a PSA 10 graded item sold in August 2023 at Xianyu for a price of $171,000.

A recent sale of a BGS 10 PSA 10 in China, which was initially expected to be lower on the list. However, after digging, it was discovered that a BGS 10 copy sold for roughly $171,000 on Xianyu in August 2023. 

14. Super Secret Battle No. 1 Trainer (1999)

The item, graded PSA 10, was sold in September 2022 at Heritage Auctions for $156,000.

This unique card, awarded to seven regional winners of the Super Secret Battle tournament, has a unique backstory and appearance. It states that presenting this card may grant preferential entry into the Secret Super Battle.The tournament’s location was revealed upon winning one of the No. 1 Trainer cards.

15. Neo Genesis 1st Edition Lugia (2000)

The item is a Grade 10 item sold in May 2021 at PWCC for a price of $144,300.

The BGS 10 1st edition Neo Genesis Lugia sold for $144,300 at a PWCC audition in May 2021. Beckett grades are known to be harsher than PSA, as they include 9.5s in their grading scale. At the time of sale, there were only three BGS 10 copies, compared to 41 PSA 10 copies. 

16. No.2 Trainer Toshiyuki Yamaguchi (2000)

The item, graded CGC 8, was sold in July 2023 at Heritage Auctions for $137,500.

The unique Pokémon card featuring No.2 Trainer Toshiyuki Yamaguchi, awarded in 2000 for second place in the “World Summer Challenge Secret Super Battle-Best In Japan,” was acquired by Heritage Auctions. 

17. Snap Magikarp (1999)

The item, graded PSA Authentic, was sold in January 2022 at Yahoo! Auctions Japan for $136,000.

The “Snap Magikarp” card is a rare and unique Pokémon card, created by Pokémon and CoroCoro Comic. Its origin story dates back to a 1999 contest where participants submitted photos from the Pokémon Snap game. 

18. Pokémon World Championships No. 2 Trainer Promo (2006)

The item is a PSA 9 graded item sold in February 2021 at PWCC for a price of $110,100.

This card was awarded to finalists in the 2006 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California. Only three copies were given out, and it’s the only copy graded by PSA. 

19. Snap Gyarados (1999)

The item is graded CGC 9.5 and was sold at Heritage Auctions for $87,500.

The “Snap Gyarados” card, a 1999 collaboration between Pokémon and CoroCoro Comic, is a prized collectible featuring an in-game photograph from Pokémon Snap. Although some have fewer copies in circulation, several have surfaced, making it the third most expensive Snap card on this list. 

The card was sold in July 2023, shortly after CGC announced an update to its grading scale, upgrading all existing “Gem Mint 9.5” cards to CGC 10. This change inflated the prices of all 9.5s, as they were perceived to be worth “10” instead of “9.5”. 

20. Tamamushi University Magikarp (1998)

The item is a PSA 10 graded item sold in April 2022 at PWCC for a price of $78,000.

The Hyper Professor Exam, a series of Pokémon trivia quizzes run by Shogakukan as part of its Tamamushi University campaign in 1998, was awarded to participants who aced it. 

The card, featuring artwork by Ken Sugimori of Magikarp and a distinctive “Tamamushi University” logo, stands out for its historical significance and the lore surrounding its distribution.

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