Most Expensive Pokemon Card 2021

Blastoise 1st Edition Shadowless Base Set

• Release Date: 1999
• Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
• Pokemon card value at auction: $45,100

Not only is Blastoise one of the most beloved characters in the Game Freak RPG, but the Water-type starter has also become one of the most valuable Pokemon cards currently on the market.

Those who grew up with the 1999 Base Set easily equated the turtle on the same level as the highly sought-after Charizard, so it makes sense that decades later, many are willing to bust out their wallets for the iconic mon.

While its 1st Edition Shadowless Pokemon card from 1999 has always brought in good money, the popular item has seen a massive jump in value recently. In a PWCC auction held in November 2020, the rare Base Set Blastoise sold for $45,100.

Chilling Reign: Blaziken Vmax

Shigenori Negishi’s art for Blaziken VMAX is divisive, but its bold colours and thick lines certainly make it the most eye-catching card of the year. Blaziken is up there with Charizard as being one of the most popular start Pokemon, so it makes sense it’s doing so well in Chilling Reign. Its value has held out pretty well since Chilling Reign’s launch too, having only lost about $30 since June.

Base 1st Edition Holo Stamp Shadowless Charizard

If you know Pokemon cards, you knew this card was coming.

Possibly the most iconic chase Pokemon card there is, the base set 1st Edition, Holo, Stamped, Shadowless Charizard.

While another card on this list has now sold for more money, for some Pokemon card collectors, there will only ever be one true Holy Grail when it comes to Pokemon cards, and this is it.

Its not just the fact that this card is first edition, but the huge popularity of the Charizard Pokemon character has put this card head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.

The popularity of a Pokemon can play a huge role in its market value its not a coincidence that Charizard appears on this list more than any other Pokemon.

Update!: This card has now sold for over $500,000!

With its flashy holographic shine, this card has been highly prized ever since it first hit playgrounds and continues to be a pillar of the Pokemon trading card game.

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Most Expensive Pokmon Cards In Review

Clearly, the non-sports card collecting world is every bit as hot as the sports card hobby.

Passionate collectors are obviously willing to shell out big bucks to land any one of the prized possessions on this list.

The video games, television shows, and the cards themselves transformed Pokémon into a worldwide phenomenon with an enormous fan base.

And many of those kids who grew up with these cards are now adults with more spending power able to pay big bucks for them in top condition.

It doesn’t look like that trend will slow anytime soon as these cards have found their place as one of the most popular non-sports sets in the hobby.

The Most Valuable First Edition Pokmon Cards Of All

Its amazing to think that a set that is barely 20 years old will sell for millions if youre looking at a complete collection of pristine graded cards.

The original 1999 release is definitely the pinnacle for now, and they look unlikely to be beaten anytime soon.

There are a couple of decent options from 2000 onwards, but they just cant compete with the popularity of the original 151.

The Charizard was always the chase card, but its still insane to think that it could be bought for less than $10,000 back in 2016. What will the value be in 2026?

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What Is The Most A Pokemon Card Has Sold For

Considered by some to be the rarest Pokemon card in existence, a copy of the No. 1 Trainer card sold at auction for $90,000 in July of 2020.

What Pokémon cards are worth money right now?

Rare and valuable Pokémon cards

• Gold Pikachu.

Are any Pokemon cards worth money? How Much Are My Pokémon Cards Worth? Most common and uncommon cards are worth less than $1, and even rare cards are usually worth less than $5. However, holographic rare Pokémon cards often go for $15 and upespecially for older cards that have been sitting in your self storage unit for years.

What holographic Pokemon cards are worth money? Of the 797 examples submitted, 80 have earned the coveted PSA 10 grade.

• 1999 Pokémon Game #2 Blastoise Holo. Average Value in PSA 10: $5,977.
• 1999 Pokémon Game #3 Chansey Holo. Average Value in PSA 10: $4,450.
• 1999 Pokémon Game #4 Charizard Holo. Average Value in PSA 10: $23,224.
• 1999 Pokémon Game #15 Venusaur Holo.

What is the rarest Pokémon 2021? Rarest Wild Pokemon in Pokemon GO November 2021.

• Axew.

What Is The Rarest Pokemon Card And Is It The Most Expensive

Many names will be thrown into the fray but the consensus opinion is that it is the Pikachu Illustrator card. Manufactured in 1998, the card was only given out to the winners of a CoroCoro Comic Illustration Contest that took place that year. They numbered about 39 but with the passage of time, only 10 survived which has made the card the Holy Grail of Pokémon. As a confirmation of its coveted status, it has twice broken the world record for the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold. The first time was in 2019 when it sold for about $195K and the second time was in 2020 when it sold for about $226K.

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Pokmon Ex Deoxys Gold Star Rayquaza #107

$60,065

This is the first of two Pokémon Charizard variations, originating from the 2005 Ex Deoxys Trading Card Game expansion.

This specific variant deviates from the highly collectable original cards released, with a more active fire-breathing dragon, supposedly shaded slightly darker than other variants.

These Gold Star cards are considered so powerful in the game that only one can be held in a deck during battles.

Shining Fates : Charizard Vmax

Remember Shining Fates? The collector’s focused release snuck out at the very start of 2021, and featured dozens of Pokemon in their shiny alternative colours. Particularly valuable cards were found in the ‘Shiny Vault’, which were foil, shiny versions of popular Pokemon, and leading the way in that was this shiny Charizard VMAX.

This year’s been pretty light on Charizard, which is a sure-fire way for an expansion to sell. If you were wondering where the year’s other big Charizard card is, the Celebrations Classic Collection Charizard, which is a reprint of the massively valuable Base Set, is currently sat in 13th place, at $84.62.

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St Edition Charizard Holographic Sgc Gold Label Pristine 10

Sold: in Dec, 2020 Price: $369,000

What pokemon cards are worth the most cant be perfect because of the lack of 1st Edition Charizard, Holographic. Almost all cards have shadows, but this Charizard is a shadowless holographic first edition card. Super early cards dont have shadows behind art or text. In addition, Charizard is a favorite dragon of many players, even some influencers join in to collect this card. The Charizard cards tend to become popular recently, which makes many desire to own at least one in their collection.

1st Edition Charizard, Holographic SGC GOLD LABEL PRISTINE 10

Kangaskhan Family Event Trophy Card

The scarcity of this card is due to it only being given out to competitors at a specific Pokemon tournament.

This particular Japanese tournament was held in the spring of 1998 and is unique in that it encouraged and allowed both parents and children to participate together.

Hence why Kangaskhan was chosen as the featured Pokemon for this promotional card as the art shows off both parent and child Kangaskhans.

These cards rarely hit the open market, but when they do, buyers are often willing to pay more than $100,000 for a mint condition card.

The card features the earlier Pocket Monsters Trading Card Game logo that the company was forced to abandon due to copyright issues.

All of the above factors contribute to the astronomical prices that some collectors are willing to pay for this card and live listings for this card can be seen for over $200,000!

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Venusaur No Rarity Symbol Base Set

• Release Date: 1996
• Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
• Pokemon card value at auction: $55,000

While the English version of the TCG Base Set had the coveted 1st Edition stamped cards, the original run of the 1996 Japanese release simply had no symbol at all. Called No Rarity, the scarce artificats are truly the first Pokemon cards to ever be made.

A Venusaur from this original batch went up for sale at PWCC Auctions on November 18th, 2021, and sold for a jaw-dropping $55,000 a record for the beloved Kanto starter Pokemon. According to PSA, the grade 10 collectible is only one of 5 to exist in the entire world.

As if this collectors item wasnt special enough, the casing on the outside was also autographed by the cards original artist Mitsuhiro Arita. This is truly a one-of-a-kind artifact that any Venusaur fan would die to have in their collection.

Kangaskhan Parent/child Promo Card

• Set prize
• Year- 1998
• Price $133k

One of the few promotional cards to feature the original pocket monsters trading game logo, this card was awarded as a prize in a Parent/Child Mega Battle Tournament held in May 1998. Only 34 exist in the world and they can rarely be found outside Japan. They, therefore, set off a scramble on the rare occasion that they are seen thus placing it amongst the most expensive Pokémon cards to have.

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Pokemon Japanese Topsun Holofoil Charizard

Sold in October, 2020 for $37,600

The Charizard is the most desirable Topsun prism holofoil card.

You’ll notice it features the same imagery used for the cover art of the Pokemon Red videogame released on the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan in 1996.

As mentioned earlier regarding the Topsun prism holofoil Blastoise, these cards feature a 1995 trademark date.

Still, most believe Top-Seika didn’t distribute them until 1997, after the official Pokemon Trading Card Game launched in 1996.

Pokmon World Championships No 1 Trainer

Sold: in April, 2021 Price: $31,200

This card is one of the two most expensive Pokemon cards. It was especially for the winners in the Battle Road Spring tournaments held in Japan in 2002. The 2002 No. 1 Trainer card was designed by Ken Sugimori, well-known as one of the original creators of Pokémons first generation of 151 Pokémon. The text on it is The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament Battle Road Spring 2002 champion is recognized here, and his honor is praised., which makes the card exclusive and valuable. A copy of the 2002 Pokémon World Championships No. 1 Trainer Card was sold in April 2021 at a price of over $31,000.

2002 Pokémon World Championships No. 1 Trainer

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Summer Battle Road Mew Victory Orb Trophy

• Release Date: 1999
• Grading: PSA Gem Mint 10
• Pokemon card value at auction: $60,000

The second tournament Trophy Pokemon card on the list, the Mew Victory Orb Trophy was given out during the 1998 Summer Battle Road competition. Spanning nine regions across Japan, only the top three Trainers in each bracket scored the rare Pokemon card.

According to PSA, only 16 of them have been given the coveted Gem Mint 10 score. One of these pristine collectibles popped up at a PWCC auction in December 2020 and ended with 51 bids for a final price of $60,000. It even came with the original plaque handed out at the finals.

As we dive deeper into this list, prepare to see more of these trophy Pokemon cards dominating the top spot. Since they were awarded at tournaments, they are intricately more scarce population-wise, and thus more valuable.

Japanese Promo Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Card

Another example of a card that can trace most of its value to its absolute scarcity is the Magikarp Tamamushi University Promotional Cards that sold for $66,100 in February 2021.

The print run may total less than 1,000 cards available in the world and only 12 of those cards have been graded at PSA 10.

The card was originally produced as a prize to be awarded to Japanese school children who attended one of the first Pokemon card game conferences ever and won a single game before the event was over.

Keep track of live listings for Tamamushi University Magikarp by clicking this link.

A part of me cant help but smile at the fact that a Pokemon that was often referred to as one of the most useless Pokemon in the video game series, sits so highly as one of Pokemons most valuable cards.

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Japanese Promo Card Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy

Sold: in Feb. 2021 Price: $66,100

Its design was drawn by legendary Pokémon artist Ken Sugimori and features a Magikarp leaping into the air while firing a lightning bolt. These promo cards are only for those who participate in a two-day tournament event in Osaka, Japan. However, only players who win at least one round can get this card. To join in this game, firstly, you have to finish the Tamamushi University Hyper Test, which was briefly published in a select number of magazines. We dont know what exactly the questions are about, but in general, it was about Pokémon. After finishing the test, 1000 fans with the highest scores would be invited to the Osaka event.

Pokmon Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless Holo Chansey #3

Another Pokémon who featured heavily in the cartoon, Chansey is a basic holo with a difference. It has a massive 120 HP, while its Double-edge attack hits for 80.

However, the stats arent the reason why gem mint shadowless first edition versions have sold for over $36,000.

As a normal-type Pokémon, the card is wrapped in a white background which contrasts heavily with the yellow border. Chansey is essentially a pink blob, while the holo that surrounds it will flake away instantly.

Its exceedingly condition-sensitive, and there are only 48 copies that have earned gem mint status.

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Pokemon Japanese Hr Contest Winner Full Art Charizard

Sold in June, 2021 for $20,100

Despite the global health situation in 2020, Pokemon tournaments still took place at home and in shops throughout Japan.

From July to September 2020, contestants in the Charizard VMAX HR competition could participate in 16-player tournaments for a chance at winning two unique Charizard cards.

Winners of the first rounds consisting of four players each won the Full Art Charizard V shown here.

Those four players would then advance to the championship round for a shot at winning the Full Art Charizard VMAX HR competition card as the top prize.

The extreme difficulty of receiving the BGS 10 Pristine grade gives this card a significant boost in value.

Pokemon French First Edition Dracaufeu

Sold in February, 2021 for $37,300

The First Edition Dracaufeu, or the French name for Charizard, is also relatively easier to find in PSA 10 condition than the English version.

Though only 28 examples have achieved that grade, PSA has only graded 382 overall, meaning that roughly 7% of them are PSA 10s.

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Pokmon Neo Revelation 1st Edition Holo Houndoom #8

Neo Revelation is a 66-card expansion that was released back in 2001.

Weve mentioned that dark Pokémon were overpowered at the time, but they were also unique enough to stand out from the crowd compared to normal types that had been seen before.

Houndoom is one such example, with the card wrapped in a distinctive black background.

Youll be able to see advancements in terms of the illustration compared to the base 1999 set, as Houndoom howls at the moon in the image. Rather than a full holo background, only the stars glitter in the light.

Another expensive option, its limited to only 28 PSA 10 copies. Thats low enough to allow it to mix with the rarest original Pokémon cards.

Pokemon Play Third Season Promo 70000 Points Holo Umbreon Gold Star

Sold in June, 2021 for $70,000

From 2003 to 2006, PLAY Promotional Cards allowed Pokemon Players Club members to obtain exclusive cards by earning experience points when completing various tasks.

For example, if a player started a battle, won a battle, placed in a tournament, he or she would accumulate points that could earn certain prize cards.

The five Gold Star cards are the most difficult to obtain because of their high EXP thresholds, with the Umbreon being the hardest with its 70,000 point requirement.

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Japanese Pokmon Promo Card: Illustrator Pikachu: Psa 7

$375,000

Limited edition promotional cards, such as this illustrator Pokémon card, can command huge fees.

According to PWCC, approximately only 40 of these cards were created, to be distributed during competitions held in Japan where contestants were asked to create their own Pokémon cards.

Winners received custom printed cards featuring their original artwork as well as this rare Illustrator Pikachu card as a trophy.

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