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 Lugia (09/111)
From Neo Genesis Set
Neo Genesis was the first expansion to the Pokémon Base Set, the very first set of TCG to be released by the Pokémon company. Released in 2000, this set has some of the most sought-after and valuable cards, thanks to its age.
Pokémon TCG Fans Will Now Have A Much Easier Way To Get Rare Cards
In addition to the methods already available, fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game have an easy new way to obtain rare cards for their collection.
It's not unusual to find a Lugia card from this set, but it is unusual to find one in the best condition possible. Even though the card sells for $500-1000 for a PSA 9, a PSA 10 and Gem Mint card can fetch a much higher price on the market. Price Charting lists two such cards sold in the past few years, with one going for $32,000 in 2022 and another for $76,000 in 2021. Since these cards were released before keeping the cards in perfect shape was important, it's hard to find a Gem Mint on the market, and the prices reflect this.
9 Ampharos (01/64)
From Neo Revelation Set
Released a year after Neo Genesis, the Neo Revelation set was the third expansion to the Pokémon TCG cards. The first card in the set was this cute holographic depiction of the final Pokémon in the Mareep evolution line. As with Neo Genesis, many of the cards in the Neo Revelations set are worth a lot, but only when they're in perfect or near-perfect condition.
The difference in price between PSA 9 and PSA 10 for Ampharos is even more dramatic than the price shift for Lugia. The PSA 9 versions of the card sell for an average of $100-300, making this a valuable card but not a huge deal. However, once you get into the PSA 10 Gem Mints, you find the card's true value: Price Charting lists two recent sales of a PSA 10 Gem Mint 1st Edition Holographic Ampharos on eBay for $24,999.99 and $40,000.
8 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 Price Charting website. Showing the fluctuations in market values, however: An auction from as recent as 2025 had the card sell for nearly $9,000, while another in 2023 brought in only $1,125.
The 20 Most Valuable Pokémon TCG Twilight Masquerade Cards (& How Much They're Worth)
The Pokémon TCG’s Twilight Masquerade set includes several beautiful rare cards with striking illustrations that are worth quite a bit.
Yanma is not typically a favorite Pokémon for many, and offers little in of nostalgia or personal connection. The rarity of this card is more important for its value, particularly at the highest tier quality grade.
7 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 an auction in 2023 for $12,000 (per Price Charting). 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. The card has sold for as high as $90,000 and as low as $139.95.
6 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.
This Charizard Card Shows Exactly Why Your Pokémon Collection Is In Trouble
A 1st edition Holographic Charizard is among the most expensive and sought-after cards from the Pokémon TCG, but its value is now plummeting.
The card has numerous Gem Mint 10 cards recorded but can often bring between $10,000 and 18,000 in auction values. In January 2025, the card was sold in an eBay auction for $17,500 USD (as per Price Charting). Interestingly, the rarer Reverse Holofoil versions of the same card hold a market value much lower than the Holofoil cards do.
5 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 March 2025. At that time, an eBay auction for the card sold at a price of $12,877, per Price Charting. That price is the lowest amount that the card has seen in several years, with it seeming to experience a gradual decline in value.
4 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.
Animals Choose Pokémon Starters In Adorable Aquarium Video
A group of animals at a local aquarium pick out their favorite starter Pokémon from the original trio - and the most popular pick is Charmander.
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 Price Charting website.
3 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.
Pokémon TCG's Most Expensive Pikachu Cards In 2023
As the Pokémon TCG’s mascot, Pikachu and its cards are some of the most popular and expensive in the game with the priciest costing literal millions.
The Dark Dragonite card generally sells for around $1,000, with one exception that broke $10,000. In 2022, a non-holo PSA 10 card sold for $11,000, according to Price Charting, showing how an error in printing can significantly bump up a card's resale value.
2 Shadowless Charizard (004/102)
From Pokémon Base Set
The Shadowless Charizard is a legendary Pokémon TCG card, possibly one of the most famous cards in the history of the card game. The original 1999 Charizard card was the first time that the popular Pokémon appeared in the cards. The Pokémon Base cards had several editions and printings, but the most valuable printing is the first. The second edition of the cards in this set didn't have a drop shadow under the illustration, so they're often referred to as Shadowless.
Of all the Shadowless cards, Charizard is the most popular and are therefore the most valuable. Shadowless Charizard 1st Edition Holo cards regularly sell for over $42,000, with the higher PSA ranked cards going for even more value. The most valuable Shadowless card sold according to Price Charting was a PSA 10 Gem Mint card in 2021, which sold for an incredible half a million dollars. This card is such a popular find that even the lowest rating and unrated cards sell for anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000.
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.
Several eBay auctions sold the 1st edition holofoil Mewtwo card for over $15,000, with the highest value achieved in 2021 at an impressive $17,000, according to Price Charting. 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.
Source: Price Charting (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), PSA
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a strategic card game where players build decks of Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards. Players take turns using attacks, abilities, and strategies to knock out their opponent's Pokémon, aiming to collect Prize cards. The first to collect all their Prize cards wins.
