Top 20 des cartes pokémon les plus cheres !

Top 20 most expensive Pokemon cards!

Antoine Brault

When Pokémon Cards Become Treasures

Since their launch in 1996, Pokémon cards have become much more than just a collectible card game. What was once a childhood passion is now a lucrative market, with some cards selling for record prices sometimes exceeding millions of dollars.

The price surge can be explained by several factors:

  • Rarity – Some cards were produced in extremely limited quantities.
  • Condition and Grading – A card graded PSA 10 (Gem Mint) is much more valuable than a worn card.
  • History and Popularity – Some cards are iconic and sought after by collectors around the world.
  • Fashion and celebrity hype – Logan Paul and other influencers helped drive up the bidding.

In this article, we will analyze the 20 most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold, with their specificities, their price and the history surrounding them.

Ranking the most expensive Pokémon cards in history

20. Mew Trophy Summer Battle Road Holo – $60,000

Release date : 1999
Grading : PSA 10
Record price : $60,000

This Trophy card was awarded to the top three Trainers in the 1998 Summer Battle Road competition in Japan. Only 16 copies graded PSA 10 have been recorded, making it an extremely rare and sought-after card.

19. Chansey 64 Mario Stadium – $63,000

Pokemon card leveinard 64 mario stadium

Release date : 1999
Gradation : BGS 8.5
Record price : $63,000

This card was given to the winners of a Pokémon Snap photo contest in 1999, making it ultra-limited. It is estimated that fewer than 20 copies exist worldwide.

18. Tropical Wind Trainer – $65,100

Pokémon card tropical winter trainer

Release date : 1999
Grading : PSA 10
Record price : $65,100

Distributed during the Tropical Mega Battle tournament, this card depicts Psyduck and Jigglypuff in a hammock . Its unique charm and rarity make it a popular card among collectors.

17. Pokémon Master Key – $66,000

Pokémon card pokemon master key

Release date : 2010
Gradation : BGS 9.5
Record price : $66,000

Only 36 copies of this card were distributed to the finalists of the 2010 World Championships . Its exclusivity makes it one of the most valuable cards.

16. University Magikarp – $66,100

University Magikarp Pokémon Card

Release date : 1998
Grading : PSA 10
Record price : $66,100

This card was a special reward for a tournament held by Shogakukan . Less than 70 copies were recorded, making it an extremely coveted card.

15. Gyarados 64 Mario Stadium – Photo Contest

Pokemon card leviator 64 mario stadium

  • Release date : 1999
  • Grading : CGC – Gem Mint 9.5
  • Selling price : $87,500

Distributed during the same Pokémon Snap photo contest as Leveinard, this Gyarados card is incredibly rare and stands out with an original design .

At a Heritage Auctions auction in July 2023 , a copy of this card sold for $87,500 , confirming its status as a priceless collectible .

14. No. 1 Trainer – Super Secret Battle

Pokemon Card No. 1 Trainer

  • Release date : 1999
  • Grading : PSA – Gem Mint 10
  • Selling price : $90,000

In 1999 , The Pokémon Company held a series of secret regional tournaments in Japan. The winners of each region received this card, giving them exclusive access to a finals held at a mysterious location .

This unique concept has added a mythical dimension to this card , making it one of the most sought after by collectors.

At an auction held by Heritage Auctions , a PSA 10 example sold for $90,000 .

13. Lilie Extra Battle Day Full Art

Pokemon card lilie extra battle day

  • Release date : 2019
  • Grading : PSA – Gem Mint 10
  • Selling price : $108,000

This card features Lillie , one of the most popular characters in the Pokémon franchise. Its artwork, by Naoki Saito , makes it one of the most popular cards among collectors.

Distributed only during the Extra Battle Day event in Japan in 2019 , it was only obtainable by opening special Booster Packs . But to gain access to these boosters, players had to win duels and win a game of rock, paper, scissors .

In 2023 , a sale held by PWCC saw a PSA 10 example sell for $108,000 , confirming the rarity and value of this card.

12. No. 2 Trainer – World Championships 2006

Pokemon Card No. 2 Trainer

  • Release date : 2006
  • Grading : PSA – 9
  • Selling price : $110,100

Awarded to the finalists of the 2006 Pokémon World Championship , this No. 2 Trainer Trophy card is a symbol of prestige for players.

Only three copies of this card are believed to have been printed, which is why it is almost impossible to find on the market.

A PWCC auction recorded a price of $110,100 for a PSA 9 graded example.

11. Toshiyuki Yamaguchi No. 2 Trainer

Pokémon card toshiyuki yamaguchi no 2 trainer

  • Release date : 2000
  • Grading : CGC – Near Mint 8
  • Selling price : $137,500

Created as an exclusive reward for the Japanese World Summer Challenge 2000 , this card is one of the few to be named after a winner : Toshiyuki Yamaguchi .

To obtain this card, you first had to win a regional tournament and then qualify for the grand finals. As of today, only one copy has been officially graded, which explains why it fetched $137,500 at Heritage Auctions in 2023 .

10. Lugia Holo Neo Genesis – $144,300

Pokemon Lugia Holo Card

Release date : 2000
Gradation : BGS 10
Record price : $144,300

Considered one of the most difficult cards to obtain in mint condition, this Lugia card from the Neo Genesis expansion is extremely valuable to collectors.

9. Kangourex Trophy Holo – $150,000

Pokemon Kangaroo Trophy Card

Release date : 1998
Grading : PSA 10
Record price : $150,000

Distributed in a parent-child tournament , with only 11 graded copies in existence.

8. Noctali Holo Gold Star – $180,000

Pokemon card noctali holo

Release date : 2005
Grading : PSA 10
Record price : $180,000

Obtained through the Pokémon Players Club , requiring 70,000 points .

7. Ishihara GX Promo Black Star (Autographed) – $247,230

Release date : 2017
Grading : PSA 7 / Autograph 9
Record price : $247,230

Pokemon card ishihara gx promo

Card given to employees of The Pokémon Company for Tsunekazu Ishihara 's birthday.

6. Pikachu Trophy Bronze – $300,000

Pokemon card pikachu trophy bronze

Release date : 1997
Grading : PSA 8
Record price : $300,000

Reward from the first Pokémon TCG tournaments in Japan , ultra-limited.

5. Tortank Commissioned Presentation – $360,000

Pokémon card tortank commissioned presentation

Release date : 1998
Grading : CGC 8.5
Record price : $360,000

4. Charizard Holo Shadowless – 1st Edition

Shadowless Holo Charizard Pokémon Card

  • Release date : 1999
  • Grading : PSA – Gem Mint 10
  • Selling price : $420,000

This Charizard card is probably the best known in the Pokémon TCG.

A PSA 10 example sold for $420,000 in 2022 , cementing its mythical status among collectors.

3. Pikachu Trophy Silver – 2nd tournament

Pokemon card pikachu trophy silver

  • Release date : 1998
  • Grading : PSA – Gem Mint 10
  • Selling price : $444,000

Rewarding the finalists of the Lizardon Mega Battle , this Pikachu Trophy Silver card fetched a record price of $444,000 at Goldin Auctions .

2. Topsun Blue Back Charizard

Pokemon card charizard topsun blue back

  • Release date : 1995
  • Grading : PSA – Gem Mint 10
  • Sale price : $493,230

This ultra rare promo card sold for $493,230 at Goldin in 2023 .

1. Pikachu Illustrator – $5,275,000 (Most expensive Pokémon card in history)

Pokemon card pikachu illustrator logan paul

Release date : 1998
Grading : PSA 10
Record price : $5,275,000

The Holy Grail of Pokémon cards, the Pikachu Illustrator was distributed during a drawing contest organized by CoroCoro Comics magazine in 1997.

With only a few copies known to exist, this card reached historical records thanks to Logan Paul , who purchased it for over $5 million and wore it around his neck at WrestleMania .

The Future of the Pokémon Card Market

The Pokémon card market is growing, and some modern cards could one day reach these astronomical prices.

Current trends :

  • Pokémon tournament trophy cards remain the most sought after.
  • Vintage 1st edition cards continue to see their prices climb.
  • Influencers and celebrities are contributing to the surge in bidding.

If you are looking to invest in Pokémon cards, it is recommended to look for cards graded PSA, BGS or CGC and to closely follow market trends.

The Pokémon card market is busier than ever, with prices reaching impressive records. Whether you're an avid collector or an investor , these rare Pokémon cards are true collector's items that continue to increase in value.

Want to start or expand your collection? Discover our store specializing in Pokémon and manga derivative products on Bakashop .

FAQ: Everything you need to know about the value of Pokémon cards

1. How do you know if a Pokémon card is rare?
Check the rarity icon, edition, and presence of specific numbers. A 1st edition holo card is often rarer.

2. Where to buy rare Pokémon cards?
Online auctions, specialist sites like PWCC or Heritage Auctions , and collectible shops.

3. How to protect your Pokémon cards?
Use protective sleeves and have your cards graded by PSA or BGS to ensure their value.

4. What is the most expensive Pokémon card in the world?
The Pikachu Illustrator card, which sold for $5,275,000 , is currently the most expensive Pokémon card ever sold.

5. Can modern Pokémon cards increase in value?
Yes, some special edition or limited cards may become sought-after collectibles in the future.

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