The Pokemon card market continues to reach new heights in 2026, with a 1st Edition Charizard setting a new record at $550,000 in December 2025 and Logan Paul selling his Pikachu Illustrator at Goldin Auctions for a record-breaking $16.5 million in February 2026. Whether you're a collector, investor, or simply curious about what makes these cards so valuable, this comprehensive guide covers the 15 most expensive Pokemon cards based on verified public sales.
All prices in this guide are based on confirmed auction results and verified transactions from Heritage Auctions, Goldin, PWCC, and eBay. We've also included links to real-time market prices for cards available in our database so you can track values as they change.
📋 Table of Contents
- Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10 — $16,492,000
- Pikachu Illustrator PSA 9 — $1,275,000
- Trophy Pikachu No. 2 Silver PSA 10 — $900,000
- 1st Ed. Shadowless Charizard PSA 10 — $550,000
- 1st Ed. Lugia Neo Genesis PSA 10 — $144,000
- 1st Ed. Shadowless Blastoise PSA 10 — $88,000
- Charizard Gold Star PSA 10 — $60,000
- 1st Ed. Shadowless Venusaur PSA 10 — $55,000
- Umbreon Gold Star PSA 10 — $48,500
- Rayquaza Gold Star PSA 10 — $45,000
- 1st Ed. Mewtwo PSA 10 — $33,000
- Shining Charizard PSA 10 — $25,000
- 1st Ed. Gyarados PSA 10 — $18,000
- Shining Gyarados PSA 10 — $15,000
- Umbreon Neo Discovery PSA 10 — $12,000
Top 15 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards in 2026
1 Pikachu Illustrator (1998) — PSA 10
Record Auction Sale: February 2026
$16,492,000
The undisputed holy grail of Pokemon cards. Only 39 copies were ever produced as prizes for the 1998 CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan. This sole PSA 10 copy, owned by Logan Paul since 2021, sold at Goldin Auctions on February 16, 2026 for a staggering $16.5 million to buyer AJ Scaramucci — setting a new world record for any trading card ever sold at auction.
The sale included a custom $75,000 diamond-encrusted gold necklace by Suny the Jeweller, famously worn by Paul at WrestleMania 38. Paul had originally purchased the card for $5.275 million, earning a 212% return on his investment.
2 Pikachu Illustrator (1998) — PSA 9
Verified Sale Price
$1,275,000
The PSA 9 Pikachu Illustrator was used as partial payment in the $5.275M deal. Its standalone value of $1.275 million makes it the second most expensive Pokemon card ever traded. A PSA 9 grade means "Mint" condition with only one minor flaw allowed.
3 Trophy Pikachu No. 2 Silver — PSA 10
Verified Sale Price
$900,000
Only 14 Trophy Pikachu copies are believed to exist, and of the 4 ever graded, only one achieved PSA 10. Sold through Goldin Auctions, this card represents the pinnacle of competitive Pokemon TCG history from Japan's earliest tournaments.
4 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard (Base Set) — PSA 10
Record Sale: December 2025
$550,000
The most iconic Pokemon card ever printed set a new all-time record at Heritage Auctions in December 2025, eclipsing the previous high of $369,000. Approximately 120 PSA 10 copies exist worldwide. Raw unlimited versions still trade for around $458 on TCGPlayer.
View Live Charizard Prices →5 1st Edition Lugia (Neo Genesis) — PSA 10
Estimated Value
$120,000 - $144,000
Often called the most beautiful Pokemon card ever printed. The Neo Genesis Lugia features stunning artwork by Ken Sugimori and is considered the crown jewel of Generation 2 collecting. Its combination of rarity, beauty, and nostalgia keeps it firmly in the top five.
View Live Lugia Prices →6 1st Edition Shadowless Blastoise (Base Set) — PSA 10
Verified Sale: July 2025
$88,000
The water-type starter broke into the high five figures in July 2025 via eBay. With roughly 100 PSA 10 copies in existence, Blastoise benefits from enormous nostalgia value as part of the original Kanto starter trio.
View Live Blastoise Prices →7 Charizard Gold Star (Dragon Frontiers) — PSA 10
Estimated Value
$50,000 - $60,000
Gold Star Pokemon cards are among the rarest chase cards from the EX era. The Charizard Gold Star features a unique shiny variant with a star symbol next to its name. With a PSA 10 population under 100, its value surged during the pandemic boom and remains strong.
8 1st Edition Shadowless Venusaur (Base Set) — PSA 10
Estimated Value
$45,000 - $55,000
Completing the original starter trio, Venusaur remains highly collectible and a must-have for serious Base Set collectors. The grass-type starter has seen steady appreciation as the market recognizes its significance alongside Charizard and Blastoise.
View Live Venusaur Prices →9 Umbreon Gold Star (POP Series 5) — PSA 10
Verified Sale: Late 2025
$48,500
The English Umbreon Gold Star is a legendary low-print run card distributed exclusively through POP Series 5 packs and Pokemon League point redemptions. With well under 100 copies in Gem Mint condition, this Eeveelution grail hit a record price in late 2025.
View Umbreon Prices →10 Rayquaza Gold Star (Deoxys) — PSA 10
Estimated Value
$40,000 - $50,000
Rayquaza Gold Star from EX Deoxys is one of the most sought-after Gold Star cards. With only about 19 PSA 10 examples graded, its extreme rarity and the popularity of Rayquaza among fans make this a top-tier investment card.
View Rayquaza Prices →11 1st Edition Shadowless Mewtwo (Base Set) — PSA 10
Verified Sale: January 2025
$33,000
Mewtwo is the rare Pokemon for a certain generation of fans. The Base Set Shadowless 1st Edition Holo has everything — nostalgia, rarity, and iconic holographic artwork. A Japanese version sold for $33,000 in January 2025.
View Live Mewtwo Prices →12 Shining Charizard (Neo Destiny) — PSA 10
Verified Sale
$15,000 - $25,000
The Neo Destiny Shining Charizard features a black shiny Charizard with a unique foil treatment. With an extremely low pull rate of roughly 1 in 300 packs, it remains a staple on every "rarest Pokemon cards" list and a must-have for Charizard collectors.
View Shining Charizard Prices →13 1st Edition Gyarados (Base Set) — PSA 10
Estimated Value
$15,000 - $18,000
Gyarados is one of the most visually striking cards from the original Base Set, featuring dramatic artwork of the sea serpent. PSA 10 copies in 1st Edition have climbed steadily as collectors complete their high-grade Base Set collections.
View Live Gyarados Prices →14 Shining Gyarados (Neo Revelation) — PSA 10
Verified Sale: January 2025
$15,000
Part of the coveted Shining Pokemon series from Neo Revelation. First edition versions in mint condition are extremely scarce, and this card sold for $15,000 on eBay in January 2025. The red Gyarados artwork remains one of the most iconic in the hobby.
View Shining Gyarados Prices →15 Umbreon (Neo Discovery) — PSA 10
Estimated Value
$10,000 - $12,000
Umbreon has become one of the most popular Eeveelutions among collectors, and the Neo Discovery holo is where it all started. High-grade 1st Edition copies have appreciated significantly as Eeveelution collecting has surged in popularity.
View Umbreon Prices →Check Your Card's Value Instantly
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Search Card Prices Free →Complete Price Reference Table (2026)
Summary of all 15 cards with PSA 10 and PSA 9 values based on recent verified sales:
| # | Card | Set | PSA 10 Value | PSA 9 Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pikachu Illustrator | Promo (1998) | $5,275,000 | $1,275,000 |
| 2 | Trophy Pikachu Silver | Promo (1998) | $900,000 | $300,000+ |
| 3 | Charizard 1st Ed | Base Set | $550,000 | $50,000 - $80,000 |
| 4 | Lugia 1st Edition | Neo Genesis | $120,000 - $144,000 | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| 5 | Blastoise 1st Ed | Base Set | $88,000 | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| 6 | Charizard Gold Star | Dragon Frontiers | $50,000 - $60,000 | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| 7 | Venusaur 1st Ed | Base Set | $45,000 - $55,000 | $6,000 - $12,000 |
| 8 | Umbreon Gold Star | POP Series 5 | $48,500 | $15,000+ |
| 9 | Rayquaza Gold Star | EX Deoxys | $40,000 - $50,000 | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| 10 | Mewtwo 1st Ed | Base Set | $33,000 | $5,000 - $8,000 |
| 11 | Shining Charizard | Neo Destiny | $15,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $10,000 |
| 12 | Gyarados 1st Ed | Base Set | $15,000 - $18,000 | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| 13 | Shining Gyarados | Neo Revelation | $15,000 | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| 14 | Umbreon Holo | Neo Discovery | $10,000 - $12,000 | $2,000 - $4,000 |
Pokemon Card Investment Guide for 2026
The Pokemon card market has matured significantly since the pandemic-era boom, but blue-chip vintage cards continue to show strong returns. Here are the key factors driving value in 2026:
- Condition is king — The gap between PSA 9 and PSA 10 can be 3x to 10x. A Base Set Charizard jumps from ~$60K (PSA 9) to $550K (PSA 10). Always prioritize grade when investing.
- 1st Edition premium — First edition prints command 10-20x more than unlimited versions. Shadowless variants add another premium tier for Base Set cards.
- Iconic Pokemon dominate — Charizard, Pikachu, and legendary Pokemon (Lugia, Mewtwo, Rayquaza) consistently outperform the market. They have the widest collector base and strongest cultural recognition.
- Gold Stars are rising — EX-era Gold Star cards have seen consistent appreciation, with Umbreon and Rayquaza leading the way. Low PSA 10 populations make them especially attractive.
- Authentication matters — Always buy graded cards from PSA, BGS, or CGC for purchases over $500. Check our guide to spotting fakes before buying raw cards.
- 30th Anniversary hype — Pokemon's 30th anniversary in 2026 is driving renewed interest in vintage cards and creating demand pressure across the market.
Market Trends to Watch in 2026
Several key developments are shaping the Pokemon card market this year:
- Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator auction — Expected to fetch $7-12 million, this sale could reset the ceiling for the entire hobby and attract mainstream media attention.
- Heritage Auctions expansion — Major auction houses continue to add Pokemon card categories, bringing institutional credibility and new high-net-worth buyers.
- Modern Mega Evolution cards — Cards like Mega Lucario ex SIR ($719+ raw) and Umbreon ex SIR ($1,012+ raw) from Prismatic Evolutions are becoming the modern equivalents of vintage chase cards.
- Japanese card crossover — Increased Western interest in Japanese-exclusive cards and promos is creating new price records for previously overlooked items.
- Grading multiplier awareness — More collectors understand that grading can deliver 3-5x returns, driving demand for raw cards in gradeable condition. Learn more in our grading guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive Pokemon card ever sold?
The Pikachu Illustrator (PSA 10) holds the all-time record at $5,275,000, acquired by Logan Paul in 2022. He paid $4 million cash plus a PSA 9 copy valued at $1.275 million. Paul has announced plans to auction the card in early 2026 for an expected $7-12 million.
How much is a 1st Edition Charizard worth in 2026?
A PSA 10 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard sold for $550,000 at Heritage Auctions in December 2025 — a new record. PSA 9 copies sell for $50,000-$80,000. Raw unlimited Charizards average around $458 on TCGPlayer. Check live Charizard prices here.
What Pokemon cards are worth money?
The most valuable Pokemon cards are vintage 1st Edition holographics from Base Set, Neo Genesis, and early promo cards. Even raw vintage holos can be worth $50-$500. Use PokeTracker's free search to check any card's current market value across TCGPlayer, eBay, and CardMarket.
Are Pokemon cards a good investment in 2026?
Blue-chip vintage Pokemon cards have shown 15-25% annual appreciation. PSA 10 graded cards command the highest premiums. However, like any collectible investment, prices can fluctuate. Key factors include condition (PSA grade), edition (1st Edition vs Unlimited), and the Pokemon's cultural significance. Read our investment guide for detailed analysis.
What is the difference between PSA 9 and PSA 10 values?
The PSA 9 to PSA 10 jump can be 3x to 10x or more. For example, a 1st Edition Charizard in PSA 9 sells for ~$60,000 while PSA 10 fetches $550,000 — a 9x multiplier. This premium exists because PSA 10 requires perfect centering, sharp corners, and zero surface flaws. See our grading guide for details.
How do I check my Pokemon card's value?
Use PokeTracker's free price checker to search over 16,000 cards with real-time prices from TCGPlayer, eBay, and CardMarket. For high-value cards, always cross-reference with recent auction results and consider professional grading.
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