Top 10 Rare Pokémon Cards For Collectors & Flippers

Rare Pokémon Card Guide

There are hundreds of Pokémon out there, as well as many Pokémon Trading Cards, ranging from common Ratata to rare and valuable legendary cards. The cards are very valuable – nearly eight tons of fake Pokémon cards have been seized in China recently – in short, Pokémon cards are big business.

In order for you to know for sure what’s in your attic, we’ve put together a list of the rarest and most expensive Pokémon cards.

10. 1999 Nintendo Pokemon Game 1st Edition Venusaur

Nobody should be surprised to see at least one Venusaur card on this list with a hefty price tag. The ongoing popularity of the original Pokemon trading card set, which helped kick-start the collecting craze in the United States, is responsible for its high value.
Because it is one of the final evolutions of the three starter Pokemon from the original video games, Venusaur should continue to be a desirable commodity among the Pokemon represented in the set.

9. 2005 Gold Star Rayquaza

Gold Stars were introduced to the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) in 2004. Only one could be found in every 36 packs because they were so rare (a booster box). Getting Raquazza was even more difficult, given the large number of gold cards in this set. A gold star Rayquaza would be found in about one out of every 500 packets.

In December 2020, the Gold Star Rayquaza sold for over $45,000, making it one of the most valuable Pokemon cards available. The value of this item is steadily increasing, making it an excellent investment for many Pokemon fans.

8. Shining Charizard – Neo Destiny

The Shining Charizard is one of the most valued cards released to the general public.

This is due to the fact that it was one of the first “shiny” Pokemon cards ever created! When you consider that it was part of the Neo Destiny set, the print run was lower than usual.

This card is starting to sell for around $15,000 on a regular basis, and a Gem Mint edition of this card has reportedly sold for just over $25,000. Although it may be a little early in this card’s life cycle to be selling at such a high price, it does indicate that we may expect this card’s value to rise in the future.

7. 1998 Japanese Promo Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy Card

The Magikarp Tamamushi University Promotional Cards, which sold for $66,100 in February 2021, are another example of a card that owes most of its value to its absolute rarity.

Only 12 of the cards have been rated PSA 10 out of a possible print run of less than 1,000 in the world.

The card was created as a prize for Japanese schoolchildren who attended one of the very first Pokemon card game conferences and won a single game before the event finished.

Magikarp is regarded as a “useless” Pokemon because it only has a few moves that do very little harm. As a result, it’s good to see this little fish gain some popularity as a super-rare Pokemon card !

6. Gold Pikachu

The famous Pikachu strikes again ! this uncommon Pokemon card is only a few years old, but it ranks high on our list due to its rarity and the difficulty of obtaining one.

This is the 24-karat-gold Pikachu card for the 20th Anniversary. It was produced by a Japanese jewellery craftsman named Ginza Tanaka and comprises 11 grams of gold. It was released in 2016 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Pokemon Trading Card Game.

Only a few number of these were ever created, and you had to enter a random lottery in 2018 to get your hands on one. The chosen winners were given the opportunity to purchase the limited edition card for 216,000 yen ($2,300).

5. 2000 Neo Genesis Lugia

One of the most popular sequels in the franchise, Pokemon Gold and Silver, has a poster Pokemon, the incredible Lugia!

Lugia swiftly gained fame among Pokemon fans after being the key image for the silver edition of the Pokemon Game Boy games.

However, there were several printing flaws and manufacturing concerns recorded throughout the creation of these cards, making them incredibly difficult to locate in excellent condition. That is why it is one of the rarest card on the market!

4. 1998 Commissioned Presentation Blastoise

This Blastoise is one of only two cards made by Wizards of the Coast to pitch the Pokémon TCG to Nintendo: the Adam or Eve of Pokémon TCG. Arceus may have created all Pokémon, however this Blastoise was the one who established the card game, making it one of the most sought-after Pokémon cards. It recently sold for over 400k in auction!

3. 1998 Japanese Promo Holo Illustrator Pikachu

Here he is again, Pikachu ! Only 39 of these cards were ever made, making them very valuable. This is due to the fact that they were never truly sold. Rather, they were given away as a prize in a CoroCoro Comic art contest in 1998.

In addition to their rarity, Atsuko Nishida designed the artwork on the card. Because Nishida is acknowledged as one of Pikachu’s inventors, collectors may find these cards more more appealing. This card recently sold for over 900k !

2. First Edition Base Set Charizard (1999)

If you’re familiar with Pokemon cards, you already knew this one was coming.

The basic set 1st Edition, Holo, Stamped, Shadowless Charizard is undoubtedly the most memorable chase Pokemon card.

While another card on this list has since sold for a higher price, some Pokemon card collectors believe that there is only one legitimate “Holy Grail” when it comes to Pokemon cards, and this is it. Amongst Pokémon, Charizard is one of the most popular one and the first edition still remains one of the best investment you can make regarding your Pokémon cards collection!

1. 1995 Japanese Topsun Charizard, Blue Back

Despite the fact that the card’s PSA slab indicates a 1995 date, it was first released in Japan in 1997 in the form of gum packets. Two pieces of gum and two Topsun cards were included in each pack. This card is the “Blue Back” variation, which is an error card that lacks a number in the upper left corner for the Pokémon. This card is extremely rare and sought after! Also it is now one of the most expensive card to acquire which is funny because when it was originally released you could get it for free!