Most valuable Pokémon cards

The most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold are trophy and promo cards like the Pikachu Illustrator, and high-grade 1st Edition Base Set holos like Charizard. Rarity, the Pokémon on the card, its age and its grade together decide the price.

Below are the most valuable cards our packs can pull right now, ranked by their best graded value from recent sales.

Mewtwo
Expedition #20
Top value: $253,000.00
Gyarados [Reverse Holo]
Legendary Collection #12
Top value: $230,115.00
Charizard [Reverse Holo]
Legendary Collection #3
Top value: $205,373.57
Charizard
Skyridge #146
Top value: $195,498.85
Gengar
Expedition #13
Top value: $174,915.00
Gengar
Skyridge #H9
Top value: $172,500.00
Umbreon
Skyridge #H30
Top value: $155,626.63
Lugia EX
Unseen Forces #105
Top value: $155,365.00
Gengar EX
Fire Red & Leaf Green #108
Top value: $132,365.00
Umbreon
Aquapolis #H29
Top value: $132,250.00
Rayquaza ex
Promo #39
Top value: $121,957.50
Sabrina's Gengar [1st Edition]
Gym Heroes #14
Top value: $116,575.50
Torchic [Gold Star]
Team Rocket Returns #108
Top value: $97,750.00
Shining Mewtwo [1st Edition]
Neo Destiny #109
Top value: $90,447.50
Magikarp & Wailord GX
Promo #SM166
Top value: $86,250.00
Regice [Gold Star]
Legend Maker #90
Top value: $74,750.00
Gengar [Reverse Holo]
Legendary Collection #11
Top value: $74,750.00
Mew [Reverse Holo]
Legend Maker #10
Top value: $73,038.80
Umbreon [Gold Star]
POP Series 5 #17
Top value: $66,757.50
Rayquaza [Reverse Holo]
Delta Species #13
Top value: $58,995.00
Flareon [1st Edition]
Jungle #3
Top value: $52,341.00
Raikou [Gold Star]
Unseen Forces #114
Top value: $41,966.67
Lugia
Aquapolis #149
Top value: $39,366.33
Articuno [1st Edition]
Fossil #2
Top value: $33,699.67
Kabutops
Skyridge #150
Top value: $33,366.67
Flygon EX
Power Keepers #94
Top value: $29,500.00
Suicune [Gold Star]
Unseen Forces #115
Top value: $26,900.33
Sabrina's Gengar [1st Edition]
Gym Challenge #29
Top value: $21,700.00
Togetic [1st Edition]
Neo Genesis #16
Top value: $20,000.00
Lugia [1st Edition]
Neo Genesis #9
Top value: $19,388.27
Mudkip [Reverse Holo]
Emerald #56
Top value: $16,666.66
Charizard [Reverse Holo]
Crystal Guardians #4
Top value: $16,200.00
Latias
Delta Species #8
Top value: $15,597.64
Flareon EX
Generations #RC28
Top value: $15,187.11
Latias & Latios GX
Team Up #170
Top value: $14,500.00
Mew EX
Holon Phantoms #100
Top value: $14,499.98
Lugia
Call of Legends #15
Top value: $14,433.33
M Rayquaza EX
Ancient Origins #98
Top value: $13,633.00
Ampharos [1st Edition]
Neo Genesis #1
Top value: $12,995.00
Mew
Southern Islands #1
Top value: $12,894.44
Lugia EX
Plasma Storm #134
Top value: $12,790.76
Psyduck [Reverse Holo]
Legendary Collection #88
Top value: $12,696.67
Gengar LV. X
Arceus #97
Top value: $12,600.00
Lugia EX
Ancient Origins #94
Top value: $12,401.67
Primal Kyogre EX
Ancient Origins #96
Top value: $11,433.33
Snorlax LV.X
Rising Rivals #111
Top value: $11,333.33
Gyarados [Reverse Holo]
Holon Phantoms #8
Top value: $10,866.33
Charizard [Reverse Holo]
Skyridge #146
Top value: $10,839.67
Zapdos [1st Edition]
Fossil #15
Top value: $10,833.33
Xatu
Skyridge #H32
Top value: $10,833.00
Rayquaza [Reverse Holo]
Deoxys #22
Top value: $10,700.00
Charizard
Stormfront #103
Top value: $10,416.32
Registeel EX
Hidden Legends #99
Top value: $10,333.00
Charizard EX [Non-Holo]
Fire Red & Leaf Green #105
Top value: $10,319.30
Beedrill
Skyridge #H4
Top value: $10,183.33
Gastly [Reverse Holo]
Skyridge #57
Top value: $9,950.00
Flareon
Delta Species #5
Top value: $9,910.00
Shining Celebi [Unlimited]
Neo Destiny #106
Top value: $9,771.16
Dragonite EX
Dragon #90
Top value: $9,699.67
Mewtwo EX
Ruby & Sapphire #101
Top value: $9,133.33

Questions

What makes a Pokémon card rare?

A low print run (promos, prize cards, early print runs like 1st Edition), a high rarity in its set (secret, special illustration and hyper rares), and a high grade, since few copies survive in perfect condition.

What is the rarest Pokémon card?

The Pikachu Illustrator promo is usually named the rarest and most valuable: only a few dozen were given out as contest prizes in Japan in the late 1990s.

How do I know if my Pokémon card is valuable?

Identify the exact print from its set symbol and number, check its condition, and look up recent sold prices for that card and grade. Our guide walks through it step by step.

More: rarity guide · how to check a card's value · vintage Pokémon cards · cards by Pokémon