Top 10 Highest-Priced Pokémon Cards in Auction History

Originally launched in Japan in October 1996, Pokémon cards made their way to the U.S. market two years later. Since then, the value of the rarest cards has skyrocketed, with some fetching over $100,000 at auctions. John Keeble/Getty Images

Even if you weren’t caught up in the Pokémon craze, you’ve likely heard of it. Derived from "pocket monsters," Pokémon began as a Japanese video game series, "Pokémon Red" and "Pokémon Green," released in February 1996. The U.S. adaptation, Pokémon Red and Blue, followed two years later.

The video games quickly expanded into a TV series, a trading card game (TCG), and a line of toys. This made the franchise a marketer’s ultimate success. The passion of Pokémon enthusiasts turned card collecting into an overnight sensation.

As with all trends, enthusiasm eventually waned. However, those who kept their cards were rewarded when interest surged again between 2019 and 2020, largely driven by passionate YouTube influencers.

The world of Pokémon cards is vast and complex; here’s a brief introduction to dip your toes into its depths.

Pokémon cards come in three main categories: character cards, energy cards, and trainer cards. Pokémon are creatures that exist in the wild or are owned by trainers (like you or your child). The trainer’s mission is to "catch them all," referring to the over 800 species. A larger collection of cards strengthens a player’s deck, increasing their odds of defeating other trainers. Of course, the trading card game (TCG) has far more depth and strategy.

A card’s rarity is marked by one of three symbols located in the bottom-right corner:

Like all collectibles, a card must be rare and in flawless condition — ideally a first edition, limited edition, or uniquely special — to command top dollar at auction. Typically, cards with errors or corrected mistakes, as well as first editions from exclusive events like tournaments, are highly valuable. However, most cards are worth less than a dollar, so don’t start searching just yet.

Dedicated collectors often send their most prized cards to Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the leading and most trusted grading service, paying $15-$30 per card. A high grade can dramatically boost a card’s worth. Cards are evaluated based on their condition, including factors like original gloss, border sharpness, and corner quality. The grade, ranging from 1 to 10, reflects the card’s state — the better the condition, the higher the score. While the process is intricate, that’s a topic for another time.

The market is ever-evolving, but here are some of the most expensive Pokémon card sales recorded so far. Clearly, this is no longer just a hobby for kids trading cards.

(Left to right) Ex Dragon Frontiers GOLD STAR HALO Charizard; Pokémon Super Secret Battle "No. 1 Trainer" Promo Holographic Card; 1998 Japanese Promo Card Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy PSA

10. Ex Dragon Frontiers Gold Star Halo Charizard #100

Some of the rarest Pokémon cards are promotional items from exclusive tournaments or events. This particular card was awarded to participants of the Tropical Mega Battle in Hawaii (1999), an invitation-only competition. Following rule adjustments, the event was rebranded as the Japanese World Championship in 2001. A card from this event in mint condition fetched over $60,000

in October 2020.

9. Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind Promo Card

This card originates from the 1999 Tropical Mega Battle event. Although it’s a basic trainer card, its rarity makes it highly sought after. Very few of these Tropical cards are available for sale, and even fewer are in the pristine condition of the one sold in October 2020, which received a PSA rating of MINT 10 and sold for over $65,000.

8. 1998 Japanese Promo Card Tamamushi University Magikarp Trophy

The Magikarp promo card was exclusively awarded to winners of at least one battle during a two-day tournament in Osaka, Japan. Entry into the tournament required being among the top 1,000 scorers in the "Tamamushi University Hyper Test," a competition briefly featured in select magazines. This card is exceptionally rare, and a PSA-rated GEM 10 version sold in February 2021 for $66,100.

7. Pokémon Super Secret Battle "No. 1 Trainer" Promo Holographic Card

This card is considered one of the most coveted in the Pokémon world. It’s a promotional card distributed to an estimated seven players during a nationwide tournament in Japan. The tournament’s finals were shrouded in secrecy, and participants had to win one of these cards in regional qualifiers to gain entry. Only seven copies of this card have been certified by PSA, with one MINT 10 version selling for $90,000 in July 2020.

(left to right) 2000 Neo Genesis First Edition Holographic Lugia; Japanese Promo Card-Family Event Trophy-Holo Kangaskhan; Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card PSA; Beckett

6. 2000 Neo Genesis First Edition Holographic Lugia

Now we’re entering the realm of high-value cards. This is a first-edition Lugia card from the second Pokémon Game Boy series, and in mint condition, it’s incredibly rare. Lugia is a beloved character, and while the card itself isn’t uncommon, finding one in pristine condition is. Only 41 PSA 10 examples exist, making it highly valuable. One such card sold in May 2021 for over $144,000.

5. Japanese Promo Card-Family Event Trophy-Holo Kangaskhan

This card is among the rarest in the Pokémon universe. It was awarded to winners of the 1998 Parent/Child Mega Battle Tournament in Japan. Only 46 have been graded by PSA, and one card, the first to receive a perfect 10 rating, sold for $150,000 in October 2020. Its flawless PSA rating significantly contributed to its high value.

4. Black Star Ishihara Signed GX Promo Card

This card’s rarity stems from featuring Tsunekazu Ishihara, the founder and president of the Pokémon Company, and was gifted to employees to celebrate his 60th birthday in 2017. One near-mint condition card, signed by Ishihara himself, sold at auction in 2021 for an astonishing $247,230.

(left to right) Backless Blastoise" Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram; First Edition Charizard, Holographic-SGC GOLD LABEL PRISTINE 10; 1998 Japanese Promo Card Holo Illustrator Pikachu PSA

3. "Backless Blastoise" Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram

This isn’t just any Blastoise card; it’s unique due to its lack of printing on the back. Created in 1998 by Wizards of the Coast, the original Pokémon card manufacturer, this was a test print. Only two copies were ever made, predating the series’ U.S. debut and subsequent popularity. One of these cards sold in January 2021 for $360,000.

2. First Edition Charizard, Holographic-SGC Gold Label Pristine 10

The Charizard card is highly valuable due to two key features: it’s a shadowless holographic first edition. Early cards lacked the drop shadow effect behind text, making them rare and costly. Additionally, Charizard is a fan-favorite dragon Pokémon. YouTuber Logan Paul famously wore one around his neck during his exhibition match against Floyd Mayweather in June, claiming it could now be worth $1 million. Another first edition, PSA-rated 10 GEM card sold in March 2021 for $369,000, so its value remains speculative.

1. 1998 Japanese Promo Card Holo Illustrator Pikachu

Pikachu is arguably the most recognizable Pokémon character. This card is one of the earliest from the franchise and was a promotional item from a 1998 CoroCoro Comic magazine contest. Winners received custom cards featuring their original artwork, along with this rare Pikachu card. It has sold multiple times for six figures, with the latest sale in February 2021 for $375,000.