10 Most Expensive Pokémon 151 Cards (& How Much They’re Worth)

The Pokémon Trading Card Game offers a bit of nostalgia with its Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—151 set, which features all 151 of the beloved Pokémon that started it all. These classic Gen 1 pocket monsters from the Kanto region were the originals, and remain some of the most familiar and beloved characters in the franchise today. Pokémon 151‘s charm makes it a popular set, mostly due to the love that many fans of the series have for these original 151 characters and the memories that accompany them.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet 151 launched on September 22, 2023, for the English version of the game. Designed for use with the gameplay mechanics in the Scarlet & Violet set, many of the Secret Rare full-art cards include illustrations that connect evolution lines for many of the Pokémon. For the values in this list, market values have been obtained by TCGPlayer, which can offer a good overall baseline across various online markets. Of course, with Pokémon‘s original 151 characters being so beloved, personal feelings may always be greater than market value.

15
Pikachu 173/165

Illustration Rare Holofoil

Pokémon‘s beloved mascot, Pikachu, is a fitting addition to any list with the original 151 characters. In this Illustration Rare full-art card, Pikachu’s playful and cheerful nature is shown in a way that is sure to make anyone smile. Bounding through the busy street with a smile on its face, Pikachu exudes energy beyond the electricity it holds within. As of the time of writing, on TCGPlayer, Pikachu card 173/165 has a market price of $18.62 USD.

14
Erika’s Invitation 203/165

Special Illustration Rare Holofoil

The only Support card to be included in this list, Erika’s Invitation, is a Special Illustration Rare full art card in the Pokémon 151 set. Card number 203/165 is a support card where the artwork by Cona Nitando shows off the pretty trainer, Erika, among flowers and perfumes in a perfectly cottagecore, sunny room. On TCGPlayer, this card is currently listed with a market value of $20.17 USD.

13
Charmeleon 169/162

Illustration Rare Holofoil

With artwork that perfectly matches the rest of its evolution line of Charmander and Charizard, Charmeleon’s full-art Illustration Rare card helps to paint a picture of the little Fire-type. Here, Charmeleon has begun to rise higher, depicting a beautiful double-meaning of its growth with evolution. On TCGPlayer, Charmeleon’s card 169/165 for the Pokémon TCG: 151 set is listed with a market price of $20.59 USD at the time of writing.

12
Mew ex 193/162

Ultra Rare Holofoil

Card 193/165 features a bubblegum pink background that could work to camouflage the Psychic-type Mew ex, if not for the brilliant use of etching artwork surrounding it. This Ultra Rare, full-art card of Mew ex is more valuable than its golden-styled Hyper Rare counterpart. Card 193/165 currently has a market price on TCGPlayer of $21.92 USD, and is a cheerful take on the Mythical Mew.

11
Wartortle 171/162

Illustration Rare Holofoil

Often, the middle evolution of even the most beloved Pokémon does not seem to be valued as highly as the first and third versions. In this case, however, Squirtle’s second evolution, Wartortle, is a breathtaking ocean illustration that is quite highly valued with a TCGPlayer market price of $22.47 USD at the time of writing. This artwork matches the rest of the full-art illustrations in the Squirtle evolution, although, unlike Charmander, this Water-type is heading deeper into the water with each version.

10
Blastoise ex 166/162

Ultra Rare Holofoil

Not only is the entire secret Rare evolution line of Squirtle from the Pokémon TCG: 151 set worth quite a bit, but Blastoise ex is represented twice among the most valuable of cards. Once as the Special Illustration Rare and then again as this full-art Ultra Rare card number 184/165. Blastoise ex here is shown in a vividly colorful full-art stance and is valued on TCGPlayer currently at a market price of $22.74 USD.

9
Bulbasaur 166/165

Illustration Rare Holofoil

Bulbasaur is one of the beloved starter Pokémon from the 151 era, and as the Grass-type starter, this full card artwork by Yuu Nishida is very fitting with the greenery that fills it. This Illustration Rare card shows Bulbasaur appearing to nap while tucked away in a lush grassy environment beneath the shadows of another plant. Bulbasaur’s 166/165 card is currently valued on TCGPlayer with a market price of $24.30 USD.

8
Squirtle 170/165

Illustration Rare Holofoil

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet 151‘s secret card number 170 is a charming beach scene of the adorable Water-type starter, Squirtle. Often, first evolution Pokémon are depicted with a more happy feeling than their later versions, and this follows the same theme. The full-art card shows off Squirtle’s playful side as it joyfully sits in the shallow part of the incoming tide and plays with the waves coming in. Even besides looking cute, this card 170/165 is currently listed on TCGPlayer with a market price of $27.29 USD.

7
Charmander 168/165

Illustration Rare Holofoil

One of the most recognizable and traditional of the original 151 Pokémon, Charmander is given a special full card art Illustration Rare for number 168/165. Though its gameplay mechanics are nothing groundbreaking, and it only has 70 HP, Charmander is beautifully illustrated for this card. Along with its Charmeleon and Charizard secret full-art cards, Charmander’s story is just beginning with this illustration as it gazes up to the skies. On TCGPlayer, Charmander 168/165 currently holds a market price of $28.68 USD.

6
Alakazam ex 201/165

Special Illustration Rare Holofoil

Special Illustration Rare Alakazam ex is designated as card number 201/165 and shows one of the most playful and adorable illustrations of any in this Pokémon TCG set. Artist Mitsuhiro Arita portrays Alakazam ex in a disastrously messy kitchen while he is levitating spoons in front of him in a beautiful full-card illustration that feels as though it is a page from a storybook. Alakazam ex 201/165 has a market value of $29.72 USD on TCGPlayer.

5
Zapdos ex 202/165

Special Illustration Rare Holofoil

Zapdos ex’s Special Illustration Rare card shows subtle glimpses of Articuno and Moltres flying with it in the background as it charges forward. This powerful card is useful in-game with its Multishot Lightning and is also a vibrant collectible with full illustration by Shiburingaru. At the time of writing, this card is listed on TCGPlayer with a market price of $36.78 USD.

4
Charizard ex 183/165

Ultra Rare Holofoil

This Charizard ex, card number 183/165, could be one of the most powerful cards in the Pokémon 151 set, although its rarity and beauty may give players pause before bringing it to the table. The unique and colorful artwork style by PLANETA Mochizuki for this Ultra Rare card is soft and appears as though it is rising off of the card. On TCGPlayer, Charizard ex is currently listed with a market price of $37.27 USD.

3
Venusaur ex 198/165

Special Illustration Rare Holofoil

A Special Illustration Rare version of Venusaur ex is given a beautiful floral backdrop to highlight its Tranquil Flower ability in card number 198/165. This Venusaur ex card features full card art that is pretty enough to be framed while also giving beneficial healing or poisoning effects when played. As part of the evolution line of the above-listed Bulbasaur, it is shown in a similar setting but with more vibrant and colorful flowers surrounding it. Currently, on TCGPlayer, Pokémon 151‘s Venusaur ex is valued at a market price of $41.79 USD.

2
Blastoise ex 200/165

Special Illustration Rare Holofoil

The final evolution of Squirtle, one of the original Gen 1 starter Pokémon, Blastoise ex is a Special Illustration Rare holofoil edition card number 200/165 in Pokémon 151. Continuing the story told across its secret art evolution cards, the Water-type character has gone deep into the depths of the dark ocean here, with illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita perfectly capturing the strength and serious nature of Blastoise. Currently, on TCGPlayer this Blastoise ex card has a listed market price of $46.70 USD.

1
Charizard ex 199/165

Special Illustration Rare Holofoil

Charizard ex has a Special Illustration Rare at card number 199/165 that beautifully matches the above-shown Charmander 168/165 artwork in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Where the Charmander was shown sitting and looking up into the sky, and Charmeleon had begun his ascent, this final evolution shows Charizard taking flight high above the rocky expanse where it once sat. This card is as powerful as it is beautiful if it were ever risked in a game. TCGPlayer currently lists this card for Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—151 at a staggering market value of $110.54 USD.

Sources: TCGPlayer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)