Rarest Pikachu Cards
Pokémon Illustrator: 1998 CoroCoro Comics Promo This extremely rare card was released in 1998 as a part of a CoroCoro Comics art competition. It was illustrated by Atsuko Nishida, one of Pikachu’s original creators, and only 39 copies are believed to exist, making it the rarest and most expensive Pokémon card in existence. Estimated ungraded value: Unknown, sold cards have been graded Estimated PSA 10 value: $6,000,000
Gold, Silver, & Bronze Trophy Pikachu: 1998 Lizardon Mega Battle Tournament These Pikachu cards were awarded to the first, second, and third place winners of the 1999 Lizardon Mega Battle Tournament in Japan. They feature Mitsuhiro Arita’s iconic red-cheek Pikachu art, and each commemorates a unique achievement in the Pokémon competitive game. Estimated ungraded value: $192,000 Estimated PSA 10 value: $444,000
No. 2 Trainer: 2006 Pokémon World Championships Promo This card was awarded to the finalists of the 2006 Pokémon World Championship, held in Anaheim, California. It features Pikachu holding a silver trophy and is highly sought after because so few copies exist. Estimated ungraded value: Unknown, sold cards have been graded Estimated PSA 10 value: Unknown, a PSA 9 card sold for $110,000
Gold Pikachu: 2016 20th Anniversary Promo This rare Pikachu card was released in 2016 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. The card is crafted from solid 24-karat gold and was created in collaboration with the jewelry company Ginza Tanaka. It was available exclusively through a lottery system, and winners paid approximately $2000 for the card. Estimated ungraded value: $29,500 Estimated PSA 10 value: Unknown
Poncho-Wearing Pikachu 231: XY Promos This card featuring Pikachu in a Shiny Rayquaza poncho was a Japan exclusive, only available to those who visited the opening of the Skytree Town Pokémon Center in Tokyo on July 6, 2016. Because of its rarity, it is one of the most expensive promo cards in the history of the Pokémon trading card game. Estimated ungraded value: $2,000 Estimated PSA 10 value: $5,000-$12,500
2015 Pokémon Art Academy Competition Cards In 2015, the Pokémon Company held three competitions for players of the Nintendo 3DS game Pokémon Art Academy, in Japan, North America, and Europe and Oceania. Each winner received 100 copies of an unnumbered promo card featuring their illustration in their native language. Because most of the winners have never sold a copy, these cards are extremely rare. Estimated ungraded value: Unknown, most winners have not sold their copies Estimated PSA 10 value: Depends on the card, approximately $10,000
Sample Pikachu: 2002 E-Reader Sample Set This card looks like Pikachu 124/165 from Expedition, except it has a “Sample” stamp where the set symbol should be. These cards were created to demonstrate the capabilities of the Pokémon E-Reader at a press conference held at the New York Pokémon Center in 2002. They were never meant to enter public circulation. Estimated ungraded value: Unknown, only about 50 copies in existence Estimated PSA 10 value: $2550-$12,500
Pikachu Star: Holon Phantoms (Ultra Rare) The Holon Phantoms card was the first Shiny Pikachu ever printed in English and is the most expensive English Pikachu card ever distributed in regular booster packs. Its popularity with fans also adds to its value. Estimated ungraded value: $465-$999 Estimated PSA 10 value: $7,200
Poncho-Wearing Pikachu 208: XY Promos This Japan exclusive card features Pikachu wearing a Mega Charizard Y poncho. It was only available for a limited time by purchasing a Special Box. Charizard’s popularity also increases this card’s value. Estimated ungraded value: $1,200 Estimated PSA 10 value: $5,700
Pikachu: Wizards of the Coast (Promo #1 Ivy Misprint) This card is supposed to feature Jungle Pikachu in a grassy terrain, like the first Pikachu card ever made. However, this misprint has a background of a field of ivy instead, making the card rare and valuable. Estimated ungraded value: $275-$600 Estimated PSA 10 value: $7,200
Mario & Luigi Pikachu: 2016 Pokémon XY Promos The Mario & Luigi Pikachu cards were a part of the Cosplay Pikachu promo line, which featured Pikachu dressed in themed outfits for contests and battles. These cards were only released in Japan, making them rare and hard to find outside of the country. Estimated ungraded value: $1900 (Mario), $780 (Luigi) Estimated PSA 10 value: $9500 (Mario), $2,100 (Luigi)
No Number Pikachu: 1997 Topsun Series Released by Top-Seika, this card is part of a rare series packaged with gum and featuring a total of 150 cards. The No Number Pikachu is particularly rare due to a printing error, in which it is missing a number. Estimated ungraded value: $1,000-$5,000 Estimated PSA 10 value: Unknown, highest value $6,800
Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rare: Sword & Shield Vivid Voltage This rare card is number 188 of 185 in the Vivid Voltage set. It features a rainbow holographic background and Pikachu’s Gigantamax form. The card is highly sought-after due to its visual appeal, high playability, and limited availability. Estimated ungraded value: $130 Estimated PSA 10 value: $300-$5,300
Pikachu: Legendary Collection 86/110 (Reverse Holo) The Legendary Collection reprint set contained Pokémon cards from Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket, and introduced the “Reverse Holofoil” art style, in which the holofoil covers everything on the card outside of the art frame. Because this set was the first to do so, many of these cards are valuable. Estimated ungraded value: $116 Estimated PSA 10 value: $4,050
Pikachu (Red Cheeks): Base Set First Edition The First Edition Jungle Pikachu is the first widespread Pikachu card on the market. What makes this version special is its first edition stamp and Pikachu’s red cheeks. The original Japanese card had yellow cheeks, and Wizards of the Coast allegedly changed the color to red to make the card better match Pikachu’s design. Estimated ungraded value: $185-$320 Estimated PSA 10 value: $3,000
(_____’s) Pikachu: Wizards of the Coast Promo Also known as Birthday Pikachu, this Black Star Promo card was distributed in North America to everyone who participated in the “Create a Baby Pokémon” illustration contest in 2001. The card features a blank space where you could write your name, which is why so few copies exist in pristine condition. Estimated ungraded value: $71 Estimated PSA 10 value: $2,640
Pikachu V: Prize Pack Series (Ultra Rare) Pikachu V was a part of a Sword & Shield promotion card series. The series was only available through small booster packs you could get by participating in Pokémon Organized Play events. Pikachu V: Prize Pack Series has alternate artwork from the original card, though it works the same as Pikachu V from the Vivid Voltage expansion. Estimated ungraded value: $221 Estimated PSA 10 value: $2,500
Pikachu: Kids’ WB #5 In 2004, Kids’ WB hosted a contest in which children got to illustrate their own Pokémon cards. The five Grand Prize winners had their illustrations printed on non-tournament-legal cards which were distributed to them and other contestants in special booster packs containing one of the five cards. #5 is the winning Pikachu card, illustrated by Sylvia Forrest, and is the most expensive of the five. Estimated ungraded value: $300 Estimated PSA 10 value: $2,000
Pikachu ex: Surging Sparks (Special Illustrations Rare) In addition to being the most valuable card in its set, this Special Illustrations Rare card is also one of the most valuable Pikachu cards in general. It is a very rare and sought-after pull, causing its resale value to skyrocket. Estimated ungraded value: $488 Estimated PSA 10 value: $1,100
Pikachu 277: Sword & Shield Promos This interesting card was a part of a unique collaboration between Pokémon and the Japan Post Service, during which a collection of Pokémon-themed stamps was also printed. The illustration on this card is an homage to the 17th-century style of woodblock prints called nikuhitsu-ga, specifically the work “Beauty Looking Back” by Hishikawa Moronobu. Estimated ungraded value: $350 Estimated PSA 10 value: $850
Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat: Scarlet & Violet Promos The Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat card was a part of a promotion exclusively available at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 2023. The art style is inspired by the work of Van Gogh, and the card was so highly sought after that many cases of theft were reported. Estimated ungraded value: $188 Estimated PSA 10 value: $815
Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu 98: XY Promos The Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu promo card was only available in Japan for about four weeks, as it was made to celebrate the Pokémon Center Tokyo’s move from its original location in Hamamatsucho to its new location in Ikebukuro. The only way to get the card was by visiting the new location. Estimated ungraded value: $170 Estimated PSA 10 value: $700
Pikachu ex: Surging Sparks (Hyper Rare) The Surging Sparks Hyper Rare card is often considered one of the most gorgeous Pikachu cards available, with its colorful background. The card began gaining monetary value after its pull rate was revealed to be much lower than the Pikachu ex Special Illustration Rare from Surging Sparks. Estimated ungraded value: $182 Estimated PSA 10 value: $600
Poncho-Wearing Pikachu: Sun & Moon Promos This Electric-type card features Pikachu wearing a poncho of an Alolan Vulpix. The card was one of two available in a special bundle that came with sleeves, a deck box, and other accessories. Estimated ungraded value: $270 Estimated PSA 10 value: $520
Poncho-Wearing Pikachu 203: XY Promos This Pikachu promo card features three Pikachus wearing ponchos inspired by other Pokémon. The card was only available to those who spent a certain amount of money at specific Pokémon Centers in Japan. Estimated ungraded value: $248 Estimated PSA 10 value: $520
San Diego Comic-Con Pikachu This card is identical to Pikachu 60/106 from Emerald, except this one features the San Diego Comic-Con logo in the bottom right corner of the art frame. Approximately 5000 copies are said to have been handed out during the 2005 convention. Estimated ungraded value: $123 Estimated PSA 10 value: No tracked PSA 10 sales
How are Pokémon cards valued?
Pokémon cards are valued by their rarity, set, and condition. To determine the value of a Pokémon card, evaluators look at the card’s rarity stamp to determine its scarcity. Certain sets are also worth more than others, and the earlier the set, the more valuable the cards usually are. A card’s condition also plays an important role, as cards in pristine condition are worth more than cards with noticeable imperfections. Evaluators also look at how in-demand the card is and often use previous sale prices to set their asking price. Common Pokémon cards are stamped with a circle, uncommon are stamped with a diamond, rare are stamped with a star, and extra rare are stamped with a star H or 3 stars. Usually, common and uncommon cards aren’t worth very much. Holo and Reverse Holo cards are also generally worth more than their matte counterparts. Evaluators also look at each card’s collector number (ex: 50/75). If the collector number exceeds the print number (ex: 78/75), it is a secret rare card that is usually worth more than the standard cards.
Pokémon cards have a higher value when they’re graded. When a trading card is graded, or quality-inspected by a reputable third-party grading service, it is given a PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) number. The PSA grading scale ranges from 1-10, with 10 being the highest grade (Gem Mint). The higher the grade, the more valuable the card is.
Where to Find Rare Pikachu Cards
Look for Pikachu cards on auction or collector sites like eBay. While it’s possible to find rare Pokémon cards in person at auction houses or pawn shops, your best bet will probably be to look online. Many people post rare cards on auction sites like eBay or Fanatics Collect, as well as specialty card shops like Da Card World and TCG Player. It can be more difficult to determine if a card is fake when shopping online. Be sure to ask for pictures from all angles, and compare the card to photos of cards that are known to be real.
How to Sell Your Rare Pokémon Cards
Research and value your cards. Before selling your Pokémon cards, understand what they’re worth so you can make a profit. If possible, have your cards professionally graded, as graded cards are worth more than ungraded cards. Check your collection for any first editions or limited print runs, as these cars are generally more valuable.
Choose a selling platform. Many collectors choose to sell their Pokémon cards on auction sites or online marketplaces like eBay or TCGPlayer. It’s a good idea to look through similar listings so you can price your card accurately. Other options include selling your cards in person at a local card shop or a convention or meetup. Your local card shop may also be able to tell you if and when any conventions are being held in your area.
Create a detailed listing. Take clear, well-lit photos of the front and the back of the card. Take close-up photos of any damage or interesting features. Provide a detailed description of the card, including its name, set, condition, notable features, and PSA grade (if available). Be as descriptive as possible, and don’t try to hide any damage. Be prepared to answer questions from potential buyers.
How do I know if my Pikachu card is rare?
Get your card professionally graded to know for certain how rare it is. When you get your Pokémon cards graded, they’re reviewed by a professional who knows their estimated value. This is the best way to know for sure how rare your card is. Additionally, look for unique features, like limited print runs, errors, or special editions. Take a look at the market price of other cards like yours to get an estimate of its ungraded value.
Rare Pokémon Card FAQs
What is the rarest Pikachu? The rarest Pikachu card officially released is the Pokémon Illustrator card, which is believed to have only 39 copies in existence. The 2002 E-Reader Sample Pikachu is also one of the rarest cards, as only about 50 copies are believed to exist, and they were never meant for public circulation.
Which Pokémon card is worth $1,000,000? Depending on its PSA grade, the Pikachu Illustrator card is worth well over $1,000,000. Most notably, YouTuber and professional wrestler Logan Paul bought a PSA 9 card for $1.275 million in June 2021. A year later, he traded that card, plus another 4 million in cash, for a PSA 10 card.
What is the rarest Charizard card? Like Pikachu, Charizard is another very popular Pokémon, so there are a lot of rare Charizard cards that collectors search for. One of the rarest and most valuable is the first edition Base Set Charizard. The most expensive card belongs to YouTuber and professional wrestler Logan Paul, who bought it for $420,000.
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