13 Rare & Most Expensive Pokemon Cards of 2022
You won’t believe how much it costs to nab some of the most expensive and rare Pokémon cards. Don’t worry, they’re not all tournament cards.
Pokémon has been one of the biggest media franchises for decades now, and is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, like the universe in which it resides, its growth appears to be accelerating. With upcoming games like Scarlet and Violet, movies like Detective Pikachu, and the show nearing its 25th season, seems like Pokémon and its most famous master Ash Ketchum, is here to stay.
But one aspect of Pokémon that is reaching mainstream is the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It’s been exploding over the last few years. Collectors have gone crazy trying to pick up the rarest Pokémon cards out there. We’ve already taken a look at the most expensive Magic: The Gathering cards. Mow let’s take a look at the 13 most expensive Pokémon cards.
13. Charizard-Holo #100 (Gold Star) – $60,065
Charizard has been the second-seat poster child for the Pokémon franchise for a long time. But these Gold Star variants are so powerful that you’re only allowed one in your deck. Still, it’s worth having – certainly one of the most expensive Pokémon cards.
12. 1999 Pokemon Japanese Promo Tropical Mega Battle Tropical Wind – $65,100
Pokémon TCG is no stranger to promo cards. In fact, get ready to see a lot of them on this list. This rare Pokémon card was available to an invite-only event held in Hawai’i back in 1999. As for its effect, it’s pretty lackluster. The card has the player flip a coin and have either both active Pokémon heal 2 damage, or fall asleep.
11. University Magikarp Tamamushi Univ. Prize 1998 Nintendo Pokemon Japanese Promo – $66,100
Another promo card which was given out during a tournament held in Osaka, Japan. To even qualify for the event, players had to complete the “Tamamushi University Hyper Test“, which was available in select magazines.
10. 2005 Pokemon Japanese Play Promo 70,000 Pts Holo Umbreon Gold Star #26 – $70,000
Another very rare Pokémon card, this one is a Gold Star. By their very nature, they are hard to find. Similar to Mythic Rares in Magic: The Gathering, they’re not guaranteed in any booster pack you might pick up. This Umbreon, like most other cards, is more expensive than its English counterpart since it’s harder to find.
9. Pokémon Super Secret Battle “No. 1 Trainer” Trainer Promo Hologram Trading Card (1999) – $90,000
Yet another promo card, this trainer card was given to an estimated seven players during a Japanese country-wide tournament in 1999. But unlike most trainer cards, this one doesn’t have a game effect. This most expensive Pokémon card translates to something like “The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament’s champion is recognized here, and this honor is praised. By presenting this card, you may gain preferential entry into the Secret Super Battle.”
8. 2006 Pokemon World Championships Promo No. 2 Trainer – $110,100
Are you tired of tournament promo cards yet? Too bad! Only 3 of these were given out during a tournament held in California in 2006.
Congratulations!
7. 2000 Pokemon Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo Lugia #9 – $144,300
This is one of the most basic and most expensive Pokémon cards on the list. Just a first-edition Lugia. No fancy bells or whistles. What makes this card so valuable is its grading: a perfect 10. Hard to come by and will certainly sell for more in the future. We’re keeping our eyes on this one.
6. Kangaskhan-Holo #115 (Family Event Trophy Card) – $150,100
This tournament promo card was given out during a parent/child tournament held in Japan in 1998. The tournament pitted families against each other to see which family reigned supreme. If they knew what would be on the line 24 years ago, this tournament might have caused just a teeny bit of family drama.
5. 2017 P.M. SM Black Star #TPCi01 Tsunekazu Ishihara Signed Pokemon GX Promo Card – $247,230
This card features the Pokémon Company founder in celebration of his 60th birthday in 2017. But this card specifically is also autographed, which obviously increases this Pokémon card’s value. The card’s ability asks the player to flip 60 coins and take a present for each one. Would that be a delay of game penalty?
4. Pokémon Blastoise #009/165R Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram – $360,000
Blastoise is a good card overall. No one is saying otherwise, but what makes this card so unique is the misprint. It has nothing printed on the back, hence the “backless” nickname you’ll often see written with it.
3. 1999 Pokemon Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Holo Charizard #4 – $420,000
A foil Charizard is going to fetch a pretty penny one way or another. But this early edition doesn’t have the drop shadow that was included in later editions. This card gained some attention recently thanks to Logan Paul, who wore it around his neck before his fight with Floyd Mayweather.
2. 1995 Pokemon Japanese Topsun Charizard, Scarce Blue Back – $493,230
Like “Backless” Blastoise, this “Blue Back” Charizard is notable before its unusual blue back. Apparently only 31 such cards are in existence and one of them sold for a half million dollars. Not bad.
1. Illustrator CoroCoro Comics Promo (Pikachu illustrator card) – $6,000,000
There’s always that one card that’s got to be the center of attention among avid collectors of expensive Pokémon cards, and of course, it’s Pikachu. This card has been growing steadily in price over the years. In 2019 it sold for $243,000. Then, in 2020 it sold for $250,000. Then February of 2022, it sold for $900,000. But only a few weeks ago now, it sold for a whopping $6,000,000. That’s SIX MILLION!
There are some conflicting reports on the current sale price, admittedly. But one source you can trust is the Guinness Book of World Records, who awarded Paul for the purchase. It’s possible Paul sold it after he wore it to Wrestlemania not too long ago.
What a cool guy.
