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Collecting trading cards has been a stand-by hobby for generations. And for any 90s kid, there's no doubt a spare few Pokémon cards stashed away in a closet somewhere. As kids, we played every game and spent every bit of allowance on Pokémon booster pack hoping to snag a rare, holographic card for our favorite Pokémon.
Finding one like a holographic Charizard made you the talk of the playground. The franchise has continued for twenty years now and as long as the game/anime stays popular, they'll be Pokémon cards too. But those who have been around since the beginning, have an unfair advantage, older cards are more valuable.
Grand Party Trainer($3,000)
Starting off our list is the Grand Party Trainer Certification card. With the making of the Pokémon Fan Club in April of 1999, the "Passport Challenge" was introduced to those who attended the Challenge Road '99 summer events between July-August.
Participants who collected 50 stamps from Pokémon trading card battles before the end of the campaign were entered into a prize lottery, which was held at the Regional Champion Road 2000. Winners of this lottery were awards this very limited card. This card sold online for $3,000 as recently as November 2019.
Warm Pikachu Uniqlo Kids($5,000)
This XY Promo card was released in Japan in 2014. Four versions of this card featuring a Pikachu bundled up for winter was given as part of the Uniqlo Kids x Pokémon Trading Card Game XY promotional campaign, which ran throughout December of 2014.
One unique version of this card was included with any online order of 1 of 6 children's Pokémon Heat Tech shirts from participating Uniqlo clothing stores. All variations have the Uniqlo logo in the bottom left corner. This adorable card sold online not long ago for $5,000 in September of this year.
Rayquaza Holographic Gold Star($8,500)
Gold Star cards are marks with an embossed foil star next to the Pokémon's name. They also feature shiny/alternative color variations of the Pokémon. Gold Star Pokémon, in particular, are extremely hard to find because there are only about 1 in every 72 packs or so.
According to PokemonPrice, there are only 43 (PSA 10) in existence. It also shows the last sales of the trading card was on Ebay for $8,500 bucks on September 25th of this year. Other similar sales put this price in its average range. This is definitely a card worth holding on to.
Tamamushi University Magikarp($10,000)
Only available in Japan, it was given as a prize through the Tamamushi University Hyper Test campaign held in June 1998. The event was publicized in Shogakukan's Magazine (for elementary-age children) in the form of a series of tests they could complete and send in within a limited time period.
Those that passed were sent an invitation to a two-day conference in Osaka. After a series of Pokémon trading card battles between the top players of all age ranges, those that won a battle during the course of the second day was given this card.
Blaine's Charizard 1st Edition($15,000)
Blaine's Charizard is part of the Gym Challenge expansion to the Pokémon card game. Even though there are several in existence, this is still a prized card to own. Some are misprinted with the Fighting elemental type symbol instead of the Fire-type symbol. But all have the misprint of a missing capital letter in the Roaring Flame attack.
It should say "Discard all Energy cards," but the "E" is not capitalized. Errors like these make the card treasured by collectors. This card was sold on August 17th earlier this year for $15,000 at auction.
Shining Charizard 1st Edition($15,000)
Part of the Neo Destiny expansion set, this exceptional card features the Pokémon in holographic as opposed to its background. This unusual change was due to the Pokémon craze dying off at this point in 2002. Because of this, Neo Destiny cards weren't printed in large quantities, increasing the whole set's worth. However, it was the ever-popular Charizard and its offbeat style that stood to avid Pokecollectors.
Even though not entirely uncommon, the collectability of this card keeps its sales high, selling for $15,000 in June of 2018.
Pokédex 1st Edition($30,000)
Pokédex (or Pokémon Illustrated Encyclopedia as it's known in Japan) was originally released in the US in the very first Base Set. This card spotlighting Pokémon's most important piece of equipment has been re-released several times since its first debut but it's the original first edition that is the most valuable.
The card has been listed as high as $500,000 dollars but seems to sell more frequently at the $30,000 dollar range. This obscure and treasured card sold for $30,000 and some change online on Ebay a short time ago on November 18th.
No. 1 Trainer 1st Place Pikachu($70,000)
The No. 1 Trainer Card was first distributed in Japan through several smaller tournaments before becoming the first place prize in the Pokémon World Championships. Even though there are three types of this card in No. 2 and No. 3, it's the No. 1 Trainer card that for an astounding $70,000 a little bit ago in March of this year.
Holographic and showcasing a Pikachu holding a trophy, the card translates to: "The Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament's World Champion is recognized here and this honor is praised. By presenting this card, you may gain preferential entry into the Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament."
Parent And Child Kangaskhan($100,000)
Launching in Japan, the Parent And Child Kangaskhan trading card were given to players of the Parent And Child Mega Battle Tournament held in May of 1998. This adorably endearing prize was awarded to the parent and child teams who had reached a certain number of card battle wins.
This exclusive card is considered to be one of the "holy grails" of Pokémon Trading Cart collectors and is certainly sought after by Pokémon fans. A mint condition (PSA 10) Parent/Child Kangaskhan trading card sells for around the $100,000 dollar range on Ebay and other card selling websites.
Pikachu Illustrator($200,000)
This card is commonly known as Pikachu Illustrator or Illustrator Pikachu in reference to its exquisite artwork and is the single most collectible Pokémon trading card in the entire world. Despite having been awarded several times in different events as first places prizes, only thirty-nine copies were distributed, how many copies remain is unknown.
This elite and highly detailed collectible has broken the record for the highest price sold of a single Pokémon card on October 23rd of this year when a near mint condition promo card sold for an amazing $200,000 bucks on the website Invaluable.