Gotta catch ‘em all, no matter the cost? Then let’s check out the most valuable Topps Pokemon Series 1 cards!
The Pokemon Trading Card Game now functions both as a game and a way for collectors to get hold of some spectacular cards and artwork, featuring their favourite Pokemon.
However, at the turn of the century, trading card specialist Topps nabbed the Pokemon licence and produced several sets of their own cards, alongside the craze that the Pokemon Tradiing Card Game had become.
The cards in the Pokemon Trading Card Game at the time weren’t given the luxury, full art and special, elaborate foil treatments that you see these days – so the Topps cards were a fantastic way to showcase Pokemon without all of the pesky game text and iconography getting in the way.
The first series launched in 2000 – which is over two decades ago now.
So that’s plenty of time for adult collectors to become nostalgic about their old Topps Pokemon cards and drive prices up – with our pricing information coming directly from sold items on eBay, handily making sure we’re not listing cards which sellers are offering at inflated, unrealistic prices!
So we know that lots of these cards can reach pretty high prices – but which are the most expensive?
Let’s find out, as we check out the most valuable Topps Pokemon Series 1 cards!
1. Kabutops – Topps Chrome Series 1 #141 ($2,025)
It’s an odd thing that sometimes, the most highly sought after and valuable cards feature Pokemon that may not be the most obvious or popular choices.
Take our number one card on the most valuable Topps Pokemon cards list, for example – a Granbull!
So it shouldn’t be a surprise that we don’t have anything like a Charizard or a Pikachu here in the top spot of cards specifically from the Topps series 1 cards; instead, it’s a Kabutops!
Number 141 in the Pokedex – which had 151 Pokemon originally; as good an excuse as any to direct you to our most valuable cards in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: 151 article – Kabutops evolves from the mollusc-esque Shellfish Pokemon, Kabuto.
This particular copy of the card sold for just over $2000 – which is a huge amount for a non Trading Card Game card!
Of course, the fact that it was graded as a 10 – by the PSA – would have helped its value rise significantly, seeing this unusual and slightly lesser known OG Pokemon at the top of the most valuable Topps Pokemon Series 1 cards!
2. Hitmonchan – Topps Chrome Series 1 #107 ($1765)
Number 107 in the Pokedex, Hitmonchan is named after Jackie Chan; just as number 106, Hitmonlee – who specialises in kicks rather than punches – is an homage to Bruce Lee.
It punches its way to number two on this list, with its hard hitting price likely due – as is the case with many of these high value cards – to its perfect 10 PSA grading.
It sold for a massive $1765 – quite the knockout price, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Of course, just like our number one card, this one has a lovely, shimmery sparkle foil treatment – so it’s a particularly spectacular looking card, particularly for its era.
Not had enough of the fighting-related puns – and want to see more expensive Fighting type Pokemon cards?
Why not take a peek at our most valuable Machamp Pokemon cards list?
3. Lapras – Topps Chrome Series 1 #131 ($1675)
As a fan of Water type Pokemon – Squirtle was my first ever Starter choice and, therefore, my first ever Pokemon back in the 90s – I’ve always liked the sea monster-esque Lapras.
So it’s great to see Lapras, number 131 in the Pokedex, make it to such a prominent position on this list.
This card has a different foil treatment to the first two on the list – with a special treatment that’s noted as being called ‘Tekno’ on the back of the card.
Despite the fact that this card didn’t quite make it to be graded at 10 (it’s rated as a 9.5 by Beckett), clearly this hasn’t affected its asking price – as it sold for an amazing $1675!
4. Chansey – Topps Chrome Series 1 #113 ($1645)
Another Sparkle foil treated card, this Chansey is depicted wearing a nurse’s hat – so it’s more than likely Nurse Joy’s Pokemon!
Interestingly, the card sold for slightly less than the 9.5 rated Lapras – despite being graded as a 10 by the PSA.
Pokemon number 113 in the Pokedex, Chansey is known for having astonishingly high HP – as well as very little in the way of weakness, struggling against Fighting type Pokemon and otherwise holding firm against everything else!
It doesn’t have particularly effective attacks until it reaches at least level 40, but if you have high friendship with Chansey, it’ll evolve into a Blissey before then anyway!
5. Arbok – Topps Chrome Series 1 #24 ($1600)
Ekans (read that backwards!) evolves into Arbok (which also kind of works if you read it backwards) at level 22 in the Pokemon video games.
They’re well known, but not especially popular Pokemon in my experience.
So why and how has this particular card, especially as it isn’t even graded, fetched such a high price?
Well, this copy of the Topps Chrome Series 1 Arbok was an error card; it’s miscut along the bottom edge!
Not only that, but on the back, the description and picture is for a Kadabra – rather than an Arbok – making it even more unusual.
Sometimes, error cards can end up being highly sought after, as there’s unlikely to be many of them in existence.
So despite its lack of grading and what most people would call damage, it commanded a high value due to its unique nature.
Not bad for a poisonous snake Pokemon, eh?
We also took a look at high value error cards in the Pokemon TCG, which you can check out here, on our most valuable Pokemon error cards list!
6. Charmeleon – Topps Chrome Series 1 #5 ($1580)
One of the original starters and still one of the most popular Pokemon of them all, Charmander evolves into Charmeleon at level 16.
It’s Charmeleon that’s made it to this list, which is unusual given the popularity of both Charmander and its second evolution, Charizard – both of whom seem to tower over poor, underrated Charmeleon in terms of their popularity.
Just take a look at our most valuable Charizard Pokemon cards list to see how much value the Pokemon TCG cards featuring Charizard can hold!
Another Sparkle foil treatment, the Charmeleon card is fantastic – and, with it being graded as a PSA 9, would likely have fetched an even higher price if the grading was higher too!
Still, it sold for somewhere in the region of $1580 regardless – with the exact figure unknown due to a best offer being accepted.
7. Cubone – Topps Chrome Series 1 #104 ($1460)
For a creature created especially for a game aimed at children, Cubone has an incredibly dark backstory, revealed in its Pokedex entry.
That skull it wears? It belongs to Cubone’s deceased mother – and the poor Pokemon’s anguished cries echo inside the skull, emanating as a sad melody.
Heartbreaking!
Still, that sad story perhaps endears Cubone to collectors, because its Topps card – in this instance, a Sparkle treatment – has recently sold for $1460!
Of course, it helps that this particular Cubone card was PSA graded as a 10.
Just like the other cards on this list, it’s likely to be exceedingly rare in this condition, given that they’re now close to a quarter of a century old.
8. Magmar – Topps Chrome Series 1 #126 ($1395)
One of the rare types of Pokemon that stood alone without any evolutionary forms – at least initially; Magmar now has both an evolved and devolved form.
An odd-looking Fire Pokemon, Magmar is listed at number 126 in the Pokedex.
This particular card sold for $1460 – the high value being unsurprising, given its PSA grading of 10.
Adding to the card’s appeal is its Tekno finish; just like the Lapras card before it, this is a spectacular holographic treatment that is genuinely stunning to see.
9. Electabuzz – Topps Chrome Series 1 #125 ($1326)
Electric Pokemon are presented by some great creatures, though Pikachu gets most of the attention when it comes to the original 151 Pokemon!
However, Electabuzz – though overshadowed by the unstoppable, iconic Pikachu – is a great choice for an Electric Pokemon.
At number 125 in the Pokedex, Electabuzz is similar to Magmar – in that initially, it had no other forms, but now has both an evolved (Electivire) and devolved (Elekid) form!
This card is another Sparkle holo treatment, which was graded as a PSA 10.
At that high level of grading, it’s no surprise that this card sold for a massive $1326 – so this is an Electabuzz that’s beaten Pikachu in at least one area!
10. Golduck – Topps Chrome Series 1 #55 ($1300)
Initially listed for $1495, this Golduck sold for a best offer price; though we can’t tell what the final value was, its ranking in the highest value Topps Pokemon Series 1 cards on eBay gives us a good idea of what its new owner bought it for!
Based on the information we have, we know it sold for somewhere in the region of $1300.
Golduck is the evolved form of the lovably daft, headache-afflicted Psyduck.
Like Pikachu’s evolved form, Raichu, Golduck doesn’t seem to get much attention – usually because in the anime, Psyduck stays in its basic form.
This card is yet another with the Sparkle holo pattern – and one more card rated as a 10 by the PSA!
You’ll also find Golduck with the other original Pokemon on Cardass Pokemon cards, which pre-dated the Topps cards by a few years.
If those aren’t something you’re aware of, take a look at our primer on Cardass Pokemon cards!
