Over the years, collectors have enjoyed the constant hunt for the rarest and most valuable cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), and although market values always fluctuate, many of those infamous cards have now become quite an investment. Most Pokémon cards don’t end up becoming a person’s retirement plan. Often, they are used to play the card game, where they can get damaged and dirty, but also fulfill the measure of their creation. This was especially true for the first few sets that were released before it was known what these cards could someday be worth.

Each new set of the popular trading card game includes some valuable and hard-to-find cards, often in the form of secret rares, which hold the potential to become more valuable over the years. It is highly unlikely that many people will ever see one of their cards be sold for $5 million, but there are currently quite a few from the early years of Pokémon that have risen to the $10,000 mark. The prices here are based on values from completed auctions and private sales, which are referenced for each card.

10

Typhlosion (17/111)

From Neo Genesis Set

Fire-type Typhlosion isn’t generally the first that would come to mind for the most valuable or desired cards in the Pokémon TCG, yet the Neo Genesis set from 2000 produced this card, which has since sold at auction for $10,000 USD. A grade Gem Mint 10 first-edition holo of Typhlosion number 17/111 was sold in an eBay auction in October 2019, as recorded on the Pokémon Price website. This was the last recorded sale of a Gem Mint 10 version of this card.

Typhlosion is the final evolution of Cyndaquil and was introduced to Pokémon TCG with this Neo Genesis set. This card was its debut appearance after Cyndaquil was one of the Johto starters for Gen 2’s Pokémon Gold and Silver games. Very few of Typhlosion’s cards from the Neo Genesis set have been graded at a 10, making this a rarer item, particularly as many of the early generation cards were used in games regularly without protective sleeves.

9

Machamp Trainer Deck A (8/102)

From Pokémon Base Set

The body-building champion Pokémon, Machamp, made his Fighting-type debut in the original base set for the Pokémon TCG, with a couple of different versions. This card includes the Trainer Deck A Machamp, also known as Brock’s Deck Machamp, which has seen some high auction values in recent years. A card of the highest quality, PSA 10, was sold in a 2020 eBay auction, as noted on the Pokémon Price website, for $10,100 USD.

Sadly, the Machamp cards, which are simply from the base set and not the Trainer Decks, are valued at less than $1,000, even when they are Gem Mint 10. These Trainer Deck A and Trainer Deck B cards were promotional decks handed out to Pokémon League locations at the beginning of the Pokémon League in 1999. These decks were meant to be promo cards for guests to practice with, and therefore, they are more rare than traditional cards in the base set.

8

Shining Charizard (107/105)

From Neo Destiny Set

The Neo Destiny set of Pokémon TCG added the Shining Charizard card, which is a holo card that features a silhouetted-style depiction of the Shiny Charizard. Card number 107 of 105 was a special illustration card that at one time was considered the most valuable Pokémon card ever. Despite it selling for $220,574 in 2020, auctions in 2023 for Gem Mint 10 copies of Shining Charizard brought in around $10,000 each, per Pokémon Price, with the most recent sale on October 19, 2023, fetching $10,600 USD.

Naturally, the values of all TCG cards can fluctuate quite a bit with market trends, which could lead to Shining Charizard going back up or dropping further in the future. Keeping these cards in top condition is also a rising concern, particularly as the effects of age add to rarity. As these vintage cards become more difficult to find with age, values tend to rise.

7

Yanma (17/75)

From Neo Discovery Set

There is a surprisingly high quantity of recorded Yanma cards from the Neo Discovery set that have been graded as an 8 or a 9, but much fewer at Gem Mint 10. In 2021, one of these Grade 10 1st edition holo Yanma cards was sold on an eBay auction for $11,270 USD, as per the Pokémon Price website. Showing the fluctuations in market values, however, an auction the previous year, in 2020, successfully sold for $15,400, while another in 2019 brought in only $2,650. Both of those were also listed as Gem Mint 10 1st Edition cards.

Yanma is not typically a favorite Pokémon for many, and offers little in terms of nostalgia or personal connection. The rarity of this card is more important for its value, particularly at the highest tier quality grade.

6

Blissey (2/64)

From Neo Revelation Set

Neo Revelation was released in 2001 and was the set that finally brought all of Gen 2 Pokémon into the Pokémon TCG. One of these is Blissey, the Normal-type Pokémon who is the final evolution of Happiny. The cheerful Blissey’s introduction to the TCG proved valuable, as a PSA Gem Mint 10 first edition version of the holo card sold at auction in 2022 for $11,355 (per PSA records). This is the most recent recorded sale of a Gem Mint 10 version of the card.

For collectors, this Blissey card is a risky investment, however, with massive variances in auction values through the years. In 2021, a similar card was sold on eBay for $90,000, while another auction in 2020 only sold for $139.95 (per Pokemon Price website).

5

Crystal Charizard (146/144)

From Skyridge Set

Charizard cards are regularly seen bringing in high dollars for collectors of Pokémon TCG cards, particularly from any of the early sets. The Skyridge set of Pokémon TCG is not quite as early as many think of for vintage, though, debuting in 2003 as the 16th set. Despite this, the Secret Rare card 146/144 of the Crystal-Type Charizard has certainly stood out among valuable items.

The card has numerous Gem Mint 10 cards recorded but can often bring between $10,000 and 15,000 in auction values. In 2023, the card was sold in an eBay auction for $11,421 USD (as per PSA). Interestingly, the rarer Reverse Holofoil versions of the same card hold a market value much lower than the Holofoil cards do.

4

Venusaur (15/102)

From Pokémon Base Set

Any first edition card from the base set of the Pokémon TCG, which is graded at Gem Mint 10 is likely to be quite valuable, but certain cards stand out among the rest. Venusaur, the final evolution of the starter Pokémon Bulbasaur, may not be as big a name as Charizard or Pikachu, but can hold its own for value and is a favorite Pokémon choice for many players. The Grass-type starters are regularly known to be a top pick for many, although that is an argument that is often brought up for debate by players and collectors alike.

The most recent recorded sale of a Gem Mint 10 Venusaur from the base set of Pokémon TCG was in 2023. At that time, an eBay auction for the card sold at a price of $11,501, per Pokémon Price. That price is the lowest amount that the card has seen in several years, with it seeming to experience a gradual decline in value.

3

Pichu (12/111)

From Neo Genesis Set

2000’s Neo Genesis set of the Pokémon TCG makes the list again, this time with card number 12, the ever-adorable Pichu. The tiny mouse Pokémon is one of the few designated Baby Pokémon, and can evolve into Pikachu. It is a fan-favorite, both for its small size and cheerful attitude and has served to further boost Pikachu’s mascot status for the TCG.

In its highest Gem Mint 10 grade, a 1st edition holofoil Pichu card from the Neo Genesis set is a valuable card to have. The most recent recorded sale, at the time of writing, was an eBay auction in 2021, where the card sold for $12,500 USD, according to the Pokémon Price website.

2

Dark Dragonite (5/82)

From Team Rocket Set

The Team Rocket set of cards for the Pokémon TCG brought Dark forms of many familiar Pokémon, including the usually happy-looking Dragonite. While there are holo versions of the card, the non-holo cards have actually been valued higher due to the fact that they are a known error in manufacturing. Finding a first-edition non-holo of the Dark Dragonite is extremely rare and highly sought after.

According to PSA records, there are only 5 known Gem Mint 10 non-holo, 1st edition cards in existence for Dark Dragonite. Only one recorded sale has taken place for this card, which occurred in 2022 at Goldin Auctions and sold for a price of $12,600, according to Price Charting.

1

Mewtwo (10/102)

From Pokémon Base Set

The infamous Mewtwo is one of the recognizable and most sought-after Pokémon, often commanding high value for its cards from any generation. The Pokémon TCG base set in 1999 included Mewtwo in its ranks, as card number 10. Although Mew is canonically stronger than Mewtwo, Mewtwo is a powerful force, and when the base set was released, this card was often used in play, making it much rarer to find it now in good condition.

In a 2023 eBay auction, a 1st edition holofoil Mewtwo card was sold for $12,912 USD, per Pokémon Price. The PSA Price Guide Value for this card is much higher, however, with an estimated value of $20,600. This further shows the fluctuations in market values, and savvy collectors should watch auctions and sales values to see what the market trends are for cards they are looking at for the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Sources: PokémonPrice (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), Price Charting, PSA (1, 2, 3)