The Most Valuable Pokemon Cards
The value of many individual pokemon cards is very dynamic as some cards are no longer fetching prices near their record highs while other cards are skyrocketing in value. We looked at the most recent price for Gem Mint cards across every Pokemon release to identify which cards are the most valuable right now. We excluded special promo card and japanese cards as they were not readily available to the typical collector, although some of them would be high on this list if we included them. Things are changing quickly in the Pokemon world and we will stay on top of these changes going forward.
In terms of which Pokemon are most valuable it will not surprise anyone that Charizard cards are the most valuable. Of the top twenty-five cards, six of them are Charizard. While Pikachu is considered the face of Pokemon, it is Charizard who is the clear fan and collector favorite. Charizard was always the key to this franchise as he is the Pokemon embodiment of Godzilla, the famous Japanese fire-breathing dragon and protector (and sometime accidental destroyer) of Japan.
The release with the most cards in the top twenty-five is the EX set from 2006, which produced eleven of the current twenty-five most valuable cards. Besides amazing artwork, many cards in the set had a limited print run and are thus much harder to find in any condition, let alone finding them in Gem Mint condition. The base set is no slouch, however, as five of the twenty-five most valuable cards right now come from that set.
Here at Remarkable Artworks we think value is in the eye of the beholder and the greatest value you can get from your cards is to appreciate them in our unique display solution. If you want to learn more about the display, click below.
$270,000
1999 Base set #4 Charizard-Holo Shadowless 1st Edition
The holy grail of Pokemon card collecting, the Charizard Holographic Shadowless First Edition is the standard by which every other Pokemon card will be measured. This card has sold for well over four hundred thousand in the past, but the most recent sale prices is noticeably lower. We do see this in a couple of other top-tier cards, but these cards are sold so infrequently that it is hard to get a true measure of the market at any single point in time.
$58,723
2006 Pokemon EX Dragon Frontiers #100 Charizard-Holo Gold Star
Another Charizard card takes the #2 slot at the moment, coming from the rare EX set that is the hottest vintage Pokemon set at the moment. The HP are noticeably down from the original card, but Rotating Claws and Dark Swirl are both effective attacks in well-crafted decks.
$54,655
1999 Base set #4 Charizard-Holo Shadowless
Although the First Edition card is more valuable because of how rare it is, this was the first true Pokemon chase card. The First Edition proved there was a strong market for the cards, but the print run was too short. With the roll out of the Shadowless cards, Pokemon fever was taking over and this was the card everyone wanted. Charizard had the most Hit Points (HP) in the initial deck and did the greatest attack damage of any card in the set, so it was the card everyone wanted.
$51,100
2005 Pokemon EX Deoxys #106 Latios-Holo Gold Star
The rarest card from the rarest set. Latios Gold Star ranks among the rarest and most valuable cards from the EX Deoxys set. It showcases a shiny, alternate-colored Latios with a gold star beside its name, a mark of exceptional rarity. Because Gold Star cards were notoriously hard to pull, they hold immense collector value. The holographic foil further enhances Latios’s striking, almost ethereal presence.
$47,970
2000 Pokemon Neo Genesis 1st Edition #9 Lugia-Holo
This is the first Lugia card. As the star of Pokémon: The Movie 2000 – The Power of One and being featured on the cover of the Pokémon Silver Game Boy game, Lugia battled Pikachu as the face of the franchise in the early 2000s . Today, finding this card in Gem Mint condition is exceptionally rare as only a small number of graded copies have achieved perfect scores, making pristine examples among the most coveted treasures in the hobby.
$42,100
2006 Pokemon EX Holon Phantoms #104 Pikachu-Holo Gold Star
If you only know one Pokemon, then it is probably Pikachu - not Charizard - that you would recognize. The original Pikachu was the face of the franchise and had a friendly, whimsical demeanor that made him easy to remember. This version of Pikachu is much more daunting, with the picture drawn as if taken from below, Pikachu folding his arms, and the electric field around him you get the sense that Pikachu is the superhero everyone initially thought he was.
$34,440
2005 Pokemon EX Deoxys #107 Rayquaza-Holo Gold Star
The Gold Star Rayquaza from EX Deoxys is one of the most sought-after and valuable cards in Pokémon history. As the premier chase card of one of the rarest EX-era sets, it features shiny black Rayquaza with a striking gold star beside its name and a brilliant holographic finish. Illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda, the artwork captures the Pokémon’s fierce elegance in black and gold tones. Gold Star cards were notoriously difficult to pull, making pristine, Gem Mint copies extraordinarily rare and among the crown jewels of serious Pokémon collections.
$34,100
2002 Pokemon Legendary Collection #3 Charizard-Reverse Foil
This is the third iteration of the initial Charizard to make this list, underscoring how critical this card is to the Pokemon card craze. The Godzilla of the set, he was the strongest monster in the original set. It doesn’t matter that the elite decks at the time didn’t use him because it took to long to evolve and the energy costs were so high, for the casual player he could help you steamrollyour opponent. For the fan, this was simply the coolest card to own.
$27,412
1999 Base set #3 Chansey-Holo 1st Edition
Despite his rotund proportions, Chansey is one of the strongest pokemon of the original set. The 120 HP is tied with Charizard and with an impressive 80 HP damage when used correctly, Chansey was one tough Pokemon. A Chansey-based deck was actually much more effective in the higher level tournaments than a Charizard-based deck, adding to its allure.
$26,099
2005 Pokemon EX Unseen Forces #112 Umbreon EX-Holo
The Umbreon EX is one of the standout cards of the EX era and a prized collectible among Eeveelution fans. Featuring 110 HP, striking holo artwork, and the abilities Darker Ring and Black Cry, it embodies the powerful yet elegant design of EX-era cards. Although not as scarce as Gold Star cards, it remains highly coveted for its aesthetics, nostalgia, and condition rarity. Known for print-quality issues like edge wear and centering flaws, pristine examples are hard to find.
$25,400
2004 Pokemon EX Team Rocket Returns #108 Torchic-Holo Gold Star
The Torchic Gold Star is one of the rarest and most valuable cards from the EX era. Featuring a shiny Torchic illustrated in holographic foil, it carries the signature gold star next to its name, marking it as an ultra-rare chase card. Gold Stars were notoriously difficult to pull and the sensitive holographic makes this card both hard to find and even hard to find in pristine condition.
$24,100
1999 Pokemon Jungle #11 Snorlax-Holo 1st Edition
The 1999 Pokémon Jungle Snorlax #11 Holo (1st Edition) is a highly collectible card from one of the earliest Pokémon TCG expansions printed by Wizards of the Coast. Besides being a rare, holographic first generation card, Snorlax is a fan favorite and has two of the current top twenty-five most valuable Pokemon cards. He is the panda bear of Pokemon, adorable and rotund, but has immense power when provoked.
$22,100
2006 Pokemon Ex Holon Phantoms #103 Mewtwo-Holo Gold Star
The 2006 Pokémon EX Holon Phantoms #103 Mewtwo Gold Star Holo is one of the most sought-after cards from the mid-2000s Pokémon era. As a Gold Star ultra-rare, it features a golden star next to Mewtwo’s name and unique holo artwork showing Mewtwo in a dynamic pose. The card’s attacks include Energy Absorption, which lets you attach up to two Energy cards from your discard pile to Mewtwo, and Psychic Star, a 50+ damage attack that can deal massive damage if your opponent’s Pokémon is an evolved type. With 80 HP, Mewtwo’s defense is modest but fitting for a high-risk, high-reward card emphasizing power over durability.
$20,299
2000 Topps Chrome Pokemon T. V. #6 Charizard Tekno
Another vintage and rare Charizard, however, you could argue it is not a proper Pokemon card at all. Unlike the official Pokémon Trading Cards by Wizards of the Coast, Topps cards were collectible, non-playable cards. In an attempt to crossover from sports cards to card games, Topps Chrome made its own version of an early Charizard. Their cards were known for their chrome finish, vibrant foil designs, and connection to the original television series. By the mid-2000s Topps’ license expired, marking the end of its Pokémon production. It is really hard to find, and it is old, so it is highly sought after.
$20,100
2005 Pokemon Ex Deoxys #105 Latias-Holo Gold Star
The card forms a legendary pair with Latios from the same set who are often portrayed as psychic, sibling-like partners. The two cards were designed as complementary collectibles, with mirrored artwork and matching rarity, making them one of the most iconic duo releases of the Gold Star era. Illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda. it’s prized for its shiny artwork, low pull rate, and Fukuda’s distinct illustration style.
$18,824
2003 Pokemon Skyridge #H9 Gengar-Holo
The 2003 Pokémon Skyridge Gengar Holo #H9 is a rare and highly collectible Psychic-type Stage 2 card from the final Wizards of the Coast (WotC) e-reader set. The Skyridge set, released in May 2003, marked the end of WotC’s Pokémon era, making its cards especially sought after. Gengar’s eerie artwork, complete with legendary bird statues in the background, adds to its mystique. With H9/H32 numbering, e-Reader borders, and shimmering holofoil, this card is both nostalgic and visually striking.
$18,433
2002 Pokemon Neo Destiny #107 Shining Charizard 1st Edition
Illustrated by Hironobu Yoshida, it showcases the rare shiny black Charizard, a major departure from its usual orange color. As a Fire-type Basic Pokémon with 100 HP, its main attack, White-hot Flame, does 100 damage requires both Fire and Lightning Energy and carries the risk of self-damage. Released in February 2002 as a secret rare in the Neo Destiny set, it was among the final Wizards of the Coast Pokémon cards produced and is coveted for its extremely low pull rate and unique Charizard artwork.
$18,000
2006 Pokemon EX Holon Phantoms #102 Gyarados-Holo Gold Star
Another card from the rare and sought after EX collection. Illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda, it features the shiny red Gyarados, reimagined as a Fire-type Delta Species with 80 HP. Released as a Gold Star ultra-rare in EX Holon Phantoms, its pull rate was exceptionally low. The combination of Gyarados’s iconic shiny form, Fukuda’s artwork, and EX-era scarcity makes it a standout collector’s piece.
$17,605
1999 Base set #2 Blastoise-Holo 1st Edition
Blastoise was the second most powerful pokemon from the original set and those in the know figured out that you could go much further in competitions with a Blastoise-based “Rain Dance” deck then a Charizard-based deck. A much more aggressive version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blastoise was both a fan favorite and the backbone of a powerful competition deck.
$17,600
2004 Pokemon EX Team Rocket Returns #109 Treecko-Holo Gold Star
This ultra-rare shiny Treecko is one of only three Gold Stars in the set alongside Mudkip and Torchic (whose card is actually more valuable). Illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda, it’s distinguished by the gold star symbol next to Treecko’s name and its vibrant holo artwork. This was a major chase in the Team Rocket Returns set, released during the EX era’s golden age.
$17,100
2006 Pokemon EX Holon Phantoms #50 Primeape
Arguably the hardest card in this list to find in gem mint condition, the card is Illustrated in the bold Delta Species style. this Primeape stands out because it reimagines the classic Fighting-type as a Fire-type, part of the Holon region’s experimental theme where Pokémon gained unusual elemental traits. With 70 HP, it features two attacks: Wreck (30+, adds 30 more if a Stadium card is in play, then discards it) and Flames of Rage (10+, adds 20 damage for each damage counter on Primeape but discards two Energy).
$15,451
1999 Base set #4 Charizard-Holo
The most "affordable” of the Charizard’s from the initial release, although it is a stretch to call this affordable. Compared to the other Charizards, this card is much easier to find. But everyone wants a Charizard from the first set and the prices reflect that demand.
$15,400
2012 Pokemon Black & White Dragons Exalted #124 Full Art/Giratina EX
This is an ultra-rare Full Art card featuring the legendary Giratina in striking detail across the entire card surface. With 180 HP, it’s a Dragon-type EX Pokémon known for its powerful Shred (90 damage) attack, which ignores effects on the opponent’s Active Pokémon. As the final card in the Dragons Exalted set, it’s one of the major chase cards from the Black & White era, combining competitive power with dramatic Full Art artwork. Illustrated with a cosmic, otherworldly aesthetic, it reflects Giratina’s role as ruler of the Distortion World. Collectors prize this card for its visual appeal and limited pull rate.
$15,102
2013 Pokemon Black & White Plasma Storm #136 Charizard
The most recent Chaizard in this list, the Plasma Charizard is much leaner and menacing than the original Charizard. His HP and damage have also increased, which is a sign of the ever-increasing power of newer Pokemon and the need for Charizard to be amongst the most powerful monsters in any era. Part of the Team Plasma theme, it blends nostalgia with modern foil technology, elevating its visual and investment appeal.
$15,000
2006 Pokemon EX Dragon Frontiers #101 Mew-Holo Gold Star
The last of the EX series cards on this list, the 2006 EX Dragon Frontiers Mew is one of the most iconic and valuable cards from the EX era. Featuring a shiny blue Mew illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda, this Psychic-type Delta Species card is the secret rare of the set, marked by its gold star next to the name. As a Gold Star card, it had an extremely low pull rate, making it highly coveted among collectors. Its rarity, stunning artwork, and connection to Mew’s legendary status as one of Pokémon’s most mysterious species have driven long-term demand.
$14,616
2009 Pokemon Platinum Rising Rivals #111 Snorlax LV.X-Holo
The second Snorlax on this list, only Charizard is here more, underscores the popularity of this friendly-looking monster. This is a Colorless-type ultra-rare Level-Up card with 130 HP, it features the Poké-POWER: Big Appetite, allowing you to draw cards until you have six in hand, though Snorlax becomes Asleep afterward. Its attack, Exercise (80 damage), lets you discard Energy from your hand to heal Snorlax by that amount, reflecting its lazy but resilient nature. As the final card in the Rising Rivals set, it’s both a gameplay favorite and collector gem. Due to Snorlax’s popularity and the LV.X mechanic’s brief lifespan, this card has gained lasting collector appeal.