It’s been a tough few years for eager Pokémon fans looking to get their hands on sealed product, because yet again it seems that “investors” are buying up as much as they can, to resell at a ridiculous price. So it stands to reason that many cards have gone up in price this year, as fans haven’t been finding them in booster packs. We checked out TCGplayer to find out what the most highly sought after Pokémon cards are right now, and there are some real surprises here. So without further ado, let’s check out the most valuable Pokémon cards!
10. Umbreon VMAX (Alt Art Secret) – Secret Rare, 215/203
This card, from the 2021 set Evolving Skies, often dubbed “Moonbreon” due to its artwork, has been a rising star for the last few years. It’s appeared on numerous lists, including the most valuable VMAX cards. Unbelievably, it has doubled in price since we wrote that article in 2024!
9. Vaporeon Star – Ultra Rare, 102/108
Eeveelutions, which are Pokémon that evolve from Eevee, have always been hugely popular. Umbreon is one, and here’s another: Vaporeon. A Water type Pokémon, Vaporeon is my personal favorite Eeveelution, so I’m very glad to see it make an appearance on this list, with a card from 2007 set, EX: Power Keepers.
8. Pikachu Star – Ultra Rare, 104/110
You can’t have a list of Pokémon cards without Pikachu, right? Here’s the game’s de facto mascot on a card from 2006’s EX: Holon Phantoms set, marking Pikachu’s only appearance on this list!
7. Treecko Star – Ultra Rare, 109/109
Going even further back in time, this Treecko Star card hails from the EX: Team Rocket Returns set, which was released in 2004.
6. Kyogre Star – Ultra Rare, 112/113
This gorgeous Kyogre Star card sees the titular Pokémon practically bursting out of the card. Its holographic background adds to its appeal too. From 2005’s EX: Delta Species set, it continues the trend of having so many cards on this list being the “Star” variants!
5. Charizard (Shadowless) – Holo Rare, 004/102
“Shadowless” Pokémon cards are from the earliest printings of the very first Pokémon Trading Card Game set. also known as the “Base Set”. What it means is that there’s no shadow on the box which borders the artwork, and it makes these cards more valuable than the later, shadowed versions. Of course, with Charizard being such a perennially popular Pokémon, it makes sense that it features on the most highly valued shadowless card!
4. Latias Star – Ultra Rare, 105/107
If you know your Pokémon, you’ll know that Latias is red. So why is there a green Latias on this card from the 2005 set, EX: Deoxys? Well, that’s because it’s a Shiny version of Latias, and these special Pokémon types often have a different color scheme, which really makes them stand out!
3. Charizard – Secret Rare, 146/144
The 2003 Skyridge set featured e-Reader cards, which could be scanned and read by the e-Reader add-on for Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance console. Containing animation and extended Pokédex entries, these cards felt incredibly high tech at the time, but don’t always fetch high prices. Of course, that’s not the case for this Skyridge Charizard, which is very close to the top of the most valuable Pokémon cards list!
2. Rayquaza Star – Ultra Rare, 107/107
Another card from the EX: Deoxys set, this Rayquaza Star features its Pokémon in Shiny form, just like the Latias Star card we’ve already featured. Though most old cards, such as the ones featured on this list, felt incredibly over powered in their day, the contemporary Pokémon Trading Card Game features cards with much higher HP and attacks. Speaking of which, it’s time to see a much more recent card, as we head to the top of the most valuable Pokémon cards list!
1. Latias & Latios GX (Alt Full Art) – Ultra Rare, 170/181
As it’s a Tag Team card, the entry for the number one spot on this list actually features two Pokémon. Latias & Latios, forming a heart shape, feels like the absolute perfect card for the top of the most valuable Pokémon cards list, though its current TCGplayer market price is only a little higher than the other cards in the top 4. What’s a hundred dollars or so between friends, when you’re already shelling out a few thousand for a single card?
So there you have it! Why not check out our list of the most valuable Japanese Pokémon cards, or our list of the most valuable Pokémon cards by clay artist, Yuka Morii?
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