40+ Most Expensive Pokémon Cards Ever Sold in 2024: Rare and Valuable Collectibles

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Most Expensive Pokémon Cards Ever Sold

Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has captivated millions of fans worldwide for decades. Beyond the thrill of gameplay, one of the most fascinating aspects of the Pokémon TCG is the incredible value some cards can hold. From rare promotional cards to iconic first editions, some Pokémon cards have sold for life-changing sums.

In this article, we’ll dive into the 40 rarest and most expensive Pokémon cards in 2024, covering recent auction data and historical sales records.

What Makes a Pokémon Card Valuable?

Before diving into the list, it’s essential to understand the factors that make a Pokémon card valuable:

  • Rarity: Cards with limited print runs or exclusive promotional events tend to be worth more.
  • Condition: Cards graded as Gem Mint or Pristine by services like PSA or Beckett fetch the highest prices.
  • Historical Significance: Cards from milestone events or early sets hold additional value.
  • Character Popularity: Pokémon like Charizard, Pikachu, and Mewtwo tend to increase a card’s desirability.
  • Promotional Versions: Special versions released at events or as prizes add to a card’s value due to scarcity.

40. Royal Mask (08]o5/SM-P) – $4,500

  • Year: 2017
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $4,500 This promotional card was awarded to players who won Shining Legends Sealed Games in Japan during summer 2017. Its limited distribution makes it a collector’s gem, commanding $4,500 in a PSA Gem Mint auction from 2019.

39. Crystal Charizard Holo (First Edition) (089/088) – $8,700

  • Year: 2002
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $8,700 Crystal Charizard cards from the Japanese Mysterious Mountains set are highly sought-after, marking the end of the e-Card era. A PSA Gem Mint copy sold for $8,700 in 2024, but its value fluctuates due to the popularity of Charizard.

38. Shining Charizard (First Edition) (107/105) – $9,256

  • Year: 2002
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $9,256 Shining Charizard from the Neo Destiny expansion is another highly valuable Charizard card. Despite dipping slightly in price since its peak, it still fetched over $9,000 at a PSA auction in 2024.

37. Fan Club Shining Magikarp 600 Points Holo – $14,000

  • Year: 2000-2002
  • Grading: BGS Gem Mint 9.5
  • Value: $14,000 This fan club promo card was awarded in Japan to players who accumulated 600 GET points. Its extreme rarity makes it highly coveted, with a recent auction seeing the card sell for $14,000.

36. Base Set Mewtwo Holo (Shadowless) (First Edition) – $15,000

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $15,000 Mewtwo’s legendary status makes this base set card a must-have for collectors. A PSA Gem Mint version of this shadowless card recently sold for $15,000 in 2024.

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35. Crystal Charizard Holo (146/144) – $14,169

  • Year: 2003
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $14,169 This Crystal Charizard from the Skyridge expansion is another iconic and valuable card. In 2024, it fetched $14,169 at auction, down from its $25,100 sale in 2020.

34. Charizard Gold Star Holo (100/101) – $17,301

  • Year: 2006
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $17,301 Gold Star cards are known for their scarcity, and Charizard is no exception. After peaking at $60,065.85 in 2020, this card’s value has dropped to around $17,301 in 2024.

33. Daisuki Club Master’s Scroll 8,600 Points Holo (055/LP) – $20,300

  • Year: 2010
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $20,300 This card was awarded to Pokémon Daisuki Club members who achieved Master rank by accumulating 8,600 points. A PWCC auction saw the card sell for $20,300 in 2024, further solidifying its rarity.

32. Espeon Gold Star (025/PLAY) – $22,100

  • Year: 2007
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $22,100 Part of the Pokémon Organized Play (POP) Series, this Espeon card is a fan-favorite. Its PSA Gem Mint copy was sold for $22,100 at an auction in 2021.

31. Base Set Poliwrath Holo (No Rarity symbol) – $25,015

  • Year: 1996
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $25,015 The base set Poliwrath with no rarity symbol is a unique and sought-after card. Its pristine version sold for $25,015 at auction in 2020, and its value continues to hold strong in 2024.

30. Torchic Gold Star Holo (108/109) – $25,400

  • Year: 2004
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $25,400 Torchic, a beloved starter Pokémon from Hoenn, is featured on this Gold Star card. Its Gem Mint 10 version sold for $25,400 in 2024, making it one of the most valuable cards from the Team Rocket Returns set.

29. Spikey-Eared Pichu Japanese Design 2nd Grade Winner – $25,800

  • Year: 2009
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $25,800 This adorable card, drawn by a 2nd-grade student for a design contest, has become a rare collector’s piece. It fetched $25,800 at auction in June 2023.

28. 20th Anniversary Festa Pikachu Participation Prize (279/XY-P) – $32,520

  • Year: 2016
  • Grading: BGS Pristine Black Label 10 (Pop. 4)
  • Value: $32,520 This promo card was distributed during Japan’s 20th Anniversary Festa event. A pristine version sold for $32,520 at auction, one of only four Black Label 10 versions in existence.

27. Neo Summer Battle Road Number 2 Trainer Trophy – $34,100

  • Year: 2002
  • Grading: BGS Near Mint 7.5
  • Value: $34,100 Awarded to the runner-up of the 2002 Neo Summer Battle Road tournament, this trainer trophy card is incredibly scarce. A BGS 7.5 version fetched $34,100 at auction.

26. Rayquaza Gold Star Holo (107/107) – $34,400

  • Year: 2005
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $34,400 The stunning Rayquaza from the EX Deoxys set is a fan-favorite, and its Gold Star version fetched $34,400 at auction in 2024.

25. Topps Chrome Series 1 Tekno Charizard – $35,000

  • Year: 2000
  • Grading: PSA 10
  • Value: $35,000 While Topps cards are not legal in tournaments, they hold tremendous value among collectors. This Charizard Tekno Chrome card sold for $35,000 in 2024.

24. Base Set Chansey Holo (First Edition) (Shadowless) – $36,877

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $36,877 The base set Chansey Holo is difficult to find in mint condition due to its delicate holo print. A pristine copy sold for $36,877 in 2020.

23. Base Set Blastoise Holo (First Edition) (Shadowless) – $45,100

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $45,100 Blastoise, another fan-favorite starter Pokémon, remains highly valuable. Its shadowless first-edition card reached $45,100 in a 2020 auction.

22. Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer – $50,300

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Authentic
  • Value: $50,300 The Tropical Mega Battle No. 2 Trainer card was awarded to top competitors in a special tournament held in Japan. Its scarcity is remarkable, with only a few copies known to exist. Despite its “Authentic” grading, meaning it’s not in perfect condition, it still managed to sell for $50,300 in 2020 due to its rarity.

21. Base Set Venusaur Holo (No Rarity Symbol) (Autographed) – $55,000

  • Year: 1996
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $55,000 This Base Set Venusaur card with no rarity symbol is already a rare find, but an additional factor skyrocketed its price. The card was autographed by the original illustrator, Mitsuhiro Arita. Only five such cards exist with this signature, and one sold for $55,000 at auction.

20. Summer Battle Road Mew Victory Orb Trophy – $60,000

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $60,000 Awarded to winners of the 1999 Summer Battle Road tournament, this trophy card features the popular Legendary Pokémon Mew. Its pristine condition and the original trophy case helped it reach a $60,000 sale price in 2024.

19. 64 Mario Stadium Best Photo Contest Chansey – $63,000

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: BGS Near Mint 8.5
  • Value: $63,000 This card was created for a promotional contest held for the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap. Contest winners were awarded custom Pokémon cards featuring their winning photograph, making these some of the rarest cards ever produced. One such card featuring Chansey fetched $63,000 at auction.

18. Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind Promo – $65,100

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $65,100 The Tropical Wind Promo card is another rare gem from the Tropical Mega Battle tournament. Featuring Psyduck and Jigglypuff, this adorable and unique promo card sold for $65,100 at auction.

17. 2010 Pokémon World Championship Master’s Key – $66,000

  • Year: 2010
  • Grading: BGS Gem Mint 9.5
  • Value: $66,000 The Master’s Key card was awarded to players at the 2010 Pokémon World Championships in Hawaii. Only 36 copies were ever produced, making it one of the rarest Pokémon cards in existence. One of these cards fetched $66,000 at auction in 2024.

16. Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Promo – $66,100

  • Year: 1998
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $66,100 This card was awarded to winners of a special tournament held by Shogakukan magazine in 1998. With fewer than 70 copies ever printed, this rare Magikarp card sold for $66,100 at a PWCC auction in 2024.

15. 64 Mario Stadium Best Photo Contest Gyarados – $87,500

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: CGC Gem Mint 9.5
  • Value: $87,500 Similar to the Chansey card mentioned earlier, this Gyarados card was also part of the Pokémon Snap photo contest. Its extreme rarity and unique design helped it sell for $87,500 at auction in 2023.

14. No. 1 Trainer Super Secret Battle – $90,000

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $90,000 This card was awarded to regional contest winners in Japan during 1999. The “Super Secret Battle” referred to a mysterious final location only revealed to those who won the card. Its rarity and connection to this unique event make it highly valuable, with a 2024 auction fetching $90,000.

13. Extra Battle Day Full Art Lillie (397/SM-P) – $108,000

  • Year: 2019
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $108,000 This Lillie card was awarded to winners of a special Extra Battle Day event held in Japan. It’s known for its stunning artwork and scarcity, with a PSA Gem Mint copy selling for $108,000 in 2023.

12. Pokémon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer – $110,100

  • Year: 2006
  • Grading: PSA 9
  • Value: $110,100 Awarded to runners-up at the 2006 World Championships, this No. 2 Trainer card is extremely rare, with only a few copies in circulation. A PSA 9 copy sold for $110,100 at auction in 2024.

11. Toshiyuki Yamaguchi No. 2 Trainer Card – $137,500

  • Year: 2000
  • Grading: CGC Near Mint 8
  • Value: $137,500 This one-of-a-kind trainer card was awarded to the runner-up of the 2000 Japanese World Summer Challenge. Its uniqueness drove its price to $137,500 at a Heritage Auctions event in 2023.

10. Lugia Holo (09/111) (First Edition) – $144,300

  • Year: 2000
  • Grading: BGS Pristine 10
  • Value: $144,300 Lugia is one of the most iconic Legendary Pokémon, and its first edition holo card from the Neo Genesis set is a must-have for collectors. A pristine version sold for $144,300 in 2024.

9. Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy Holo – $150,000

  • Year: 1998
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $150,000 This card was awarded to parent-child teams who participated in a special tournament in Japan in 1998. Its scarcity and sentimental value helped it sell for $150,000 in a 2020 auction.

8. Umbreon Gold Star Holo (026/PLAY) – $180,000

  • Year: 2005
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $180,000 This Gold Star Umbreon card was available through the Pokémon Player’s Club for players who earned 70,000 points. A pristine copy sold for $180,000 in 2024, making it one of the most valuable Eeveelution cards.

7. Ishihara GX Black Star Promo (Autographed) – $247,230

  • Year: 2017
  • Grading: PSA Near Mint 7 / Autograph 9
  • Value: $247,230 This card, featuring The Pokémon Company’s CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, was given out to employees at his birthday party in 2017. A signed copy sold for an impressive $247,230 at auction.

6. Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze Trophy Card – $300,000

  • Year: 1997
  • Grading: PSA Near Mint 8
  • Value: $300,000 Awarded to third-place finishers in Japan’s first-ever Pokémon tournament, this Pikachu trophy card is one of the most valuable tournament cards in existence. It sold for $300,000 in 2023.

5. Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Holo – $360,000

  • Year: 1998
  • Grading: CGC Near Mint/Mint 8.5
  • Value: $360,000 Commissioned by Wizards of the Coast to promote the Pokémon TCG to retailers, this Blastoise card is one of the rarest in existence. A copy sold for $360,000 at auction, making it a true collector’s dream.

4. Base Set Charizard Holo (First Edition) (Shadowless) – $420,000

  • Year: 1999
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $420,000 One of the most iconic cards in Pokémon TCG history, the Base Set First Edition Shadowless Charizard remains one of the most valuable cards ever. A PSA Gem Mint 10 copy sold for $420,000 at auction in 2022.

3. Trophy Pikachu Silver 2nd Tournament Card – $444,000

  • Year: 1998
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $444,000 Awarded to second-place finishers at the Lizardon Mega Battle in Japan, this trophy card is one of the rarest Pokémon cards in the world. It sold for $444,000 at a Goldin auction in 2023, cementing its status as one of the most coveted Pokémon trophy cards ever produced. Its rarity, coupled with its pristine condition and the tournament’s prestige, makes it a centerpiece for any serious collector.

2. Topsun Charizard Blue Back Card – $493,230

  • Year: 1995 (Debated)
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $493,230 This card is one of the earliest Pokémon cards ever created. It was part of a promotional series found in boxes of gum in Japan before the official Pokémon TCG release. The “Blue Back” Charizard is particularly valuable due to its historical significance. There’s some debate over its exact release date, but collectors prize this card for its connection to the origins of Pokémon. In 2023, one of these cards sold for an astounding $493,230 at auction, making it one of the most valuable non-official cards.

1. Pikachu Illustrator Card – $5,275,000

  • Year: 1998
  • Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
  • Value: $5,275,000 The crown jewel of Pokémon TCG collecting, the Pikachu Illustrator Card is widely recognized as the rarest and most expensive Pokémon card in the world. It was originally awarded to winners of a 1997 illustration contest held by CoroCoro Comics in Japan. Only 39 copies were ever produced, and only a handful are believed to exist today.

What truly skyrocketed the card’s value was its association with popular YouTuber and social media personality Logan Paul, who famously purchased one for $5.275 million in a private sale and wore it around his neck during his Wrestlemania debut.

The Pikachu Illustrator is not only an incredibly rare piece of Pokémon history but also a symbol of the fervor surrounding the trading card game’s resurgence in pop culture.

Key Takeaways for Collectors:

  • Condition is King: Cards in PSA Gem Mint 10 or BGS Pristine conditions command the highest prices.
  • Rarity Drives Value: Tournament and promotional cards, often with limited print runs, are among the most sought-after.
  • Historical Significance: Cards from early sets like Base Set and Neo Genesis are consistently valuable, especially with shadowless or 1st edition markers.
  • Popular Pokémon: Cards featuring iconic Pokémon like Charizard, Pikachu, and Mewtwo generally hold the highest value.

Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or simply admire, the Pokémon TCG market remains one of the most dynamic in the world of collectables.

Conclusion

As Pokémon TCG continues to grow in popularity, the value of rare and iconic cards is only increasing. From classic first editions to unique promotional cards handed out at exclusive events, each of these Pokémon cards tells its own story and commands a hefty price tag.

Whether you’re a dedicated collector or just a fan of the franchise, the excitement surrounding these rare treasures shows that the world of Pokémon is as vibrant and dynamic as ever. As we move forward in 2024, expect these cards and others to set even more incredible records.