Top 10 Most Expensive and Rarest Pokémon Cards Ever Sold

After the Pokemon anime created a huge wave of excitement for the viewers, the creators of Pokemon started a new franchise under the name ‘The Pokemon Card Game’ or ‘Pokemon TCG’. This new game allowed fans to collect Pokemon and play against friends or even Global events. Fans could participate in many events and showcase their Pokemon cards by competing in the tournaments.

Even though real Pokemons are not a part of this world, it allowed fans to compete as trainers like in the anime using these cards. Only those who bought the official Pokemon cards are allowed to participate. Here are our top 10 rarest and most expensive Pokemon ever sold all around the globe.

Most Expensive and Rarest Pokemon Cards Ever Sold

10. No. 1 Trainer

• Current Value: $90,000
• Sold to: Awarded to finalists in Secret super battle tournament in Tokyo
• Year: 1999
• Number of copies printed: 8

It is considered to be rare due to its limited number of copies all around the world. Out of these 8 , 7 are awarded to the champions of the Secret Super Battle Tournament which was held in Tokyo in the year 1999. A copy of this card was sold at an auction recently, in the year 2020, and currently holds the price of $90,000.

9. No. 2 Trainer

• Current Value: $110,100
• Sold to: Awarded to winners of Pokemon world championship in California
• Year: 2006
• Number of copies printed: 15

Though the number of copies printed are more compared to No.1 Trainer copies, this card is more expensive as it holds more power than No.1 Trainer. These were awarded to the winners of Pokemon world Championship held in California in the year. A copy of this card was sold in an auction at $110,100 in 2021 which is the current price of the card.

8. 1st Edition Neo Genesis Lugia

• Current Value: $144,300
• Sold to: Unknown
• Year: 2020
• Number of copies printed: 10

It is a very rare card which explains its price. Only 10 of these cards were released all around the world. Up to 2020 it sold for $130,000 in auctions but in the second half of the year it rose to $144,300. These cards are classified as expensive because it is hard to grade them which can lead to printing errors.

7. Family Event Kangaskhan

• Current Value: $150,100
• Sold to: Unknown
• Year: 2020
• Number of copies printed: Unknown

As shown on the card Kangaskhan carries its infant in a pouch which is suitable for the tournament. This tournament is for friends and family and this card was released for its purpose. In the year 202 around the month of October it sold for $10,000 but later its price grading was increased which led to increase in the price of $150,100.

6. Pikachu No. 3

• Current Value: $192,000
• Sold to: Awarded to participants in 2nd Tournament trophy
• Year: 1998
• Number of copies printed: Unknown

They are extremely high end graded cards created by Pokemon TCG. The number of tournaments held in Japan are greater than in the west, Hence these cards are released only in Japan. It was sold in an auction in July 2022 and currently holds the price of 192,000. What is surprising is that the 3rd place verison is more expensive than others.

5. Ishihara GX Promo

• Current Value: $247,230
• Sold to: Were handed out to few friends and employees of the company in regardance of the president’s 60th birthday.
• Year: 2018
• Number of copies printed: 30 to 200

What’s so rare about this card is that it was never made available to the public. This card was given at the 60th birthday party of the President of the Pokemon company, Tsunekazu Ishihara. Later these gifted cards were in circulation and were available at the auction for fans to buy them. This card was given a 7 grade by the PSA.

4. No Rarity Charizard

• Current Value: $324,000
• Sold to: Many Independent Groups
• Year: 2018
• Number of copies printed: Many copies were printed

There are many Charizard pokemon cards that were sold. But the ‘no rarity’ copies are limited which makes these cards rare and also expensive. It was released in the year 2018 and it was sold only for $20,000 at that time. Over the years the price has increased drastically and the current value is at $324,000 which was sold in auction in 2022.

3. Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star Holo

• Current Value: $360,000
• Sold to: Heritage Auctions
• Year: 2021
• Number of copies printed: 2

Only 2 copies of these cards are known to exist in this world. These copies are not sent for grading. Had it been sent for grading, these copies would have become the most expensive in the world beating the record of the current one. One of these copies were sold to Heritage Auctions in the year 2021 in November.

2. 1st edition Shadowless Charizard

• Current Value: $420,000
• Sold to: PWCC Auctions
• Year: 2022
• Number of copies printed: 54

In 2020, a famous Youtuber made it to the headlines of buying a copy of this card for $150,000. Over the years the price of this card has increased to $420,000 and now the bidder is PWCC auctions. Its PSA grading is 10. Earlier to this 120 copies were released but the price is not so high and the PSA grading is also less.

1. Pikachu Illustrator

• Current Value: $5,275,000
• Sold to: Logan Paul
• Year: 2016
• Number of copies printed: 39

A total of 39 copies were released and only 12 of them are found to be in good condition. When the card was first released it was sold at a price of $74,000 in an auction in late 2016. Over the years the price has increased and Logan Pual is known to break the record of the most expensive card purchased by buying this card at a cost of $5,275,000. A PSA 9 graded version of this card was sold at a price of $1,275,000.

Conclusion

Once you understand the rules of playing the pokemon card game it is easy for you to participate in the tournaments or even play among friends. There are around 4000+ pokemon cards across the globe. Every collector aspires to collect all these cards in their lifetime. These cards can also be attained by card exchange not only through auction. Now pokemon fans can participate in many events and tournaments throughout the world and can even win special power cards. Beware while buying pokemon cards as a lot of fake cards can be sold.