The recent boom has rocked the collecting world, and we can understand why you would now want to start searching for the best Pokémon trading cards. Whether here since the beginning or just getting started, we’ve got you covered.
We want to make it clear that collecting is for everyone and there is no right or wrong way to do so. This guide acts as an overview for all, offering some insights into what we would consider the very best Pokémon trading cards to buy. This doesn’t mean they are the most valuable, but iconic within the anime.
We aren’t trying to cause a divide here; we’re just trying to share some top picks that wouldn’t necessarily be considered as one of the most valuable Pokémon cards. It hasn’t been easy by any stretch, but we’ve conjured up this list of five fan favorites that are well worth looking out for.
Charizard 4/102 – Base set
A “basic” choice, perhaps. But what else could you have in its place? The base set Charizard ticks every box: Nostalgia, scarcity, graded population, value, and fan base. The ungraded value of this one has spiked over the last two years, with unlimited Charizards going from around $220 to $800. As we know, the shadowless are where the real money lies, but they may be out of the range for most. The card itself is from top Pokémon artist Mitsuhiro Arita, who has since gone on to provide artwork for more than 600 cards across the franchise.
Ancient Mew 001 – Pokémon Movie Promo, 2000
The Ancient Mew Pokémon movie promo is an interesting choice, as it doesn’t earn its place in our list due to scarcity or value. In fact, millions of these were handed out at cinemas during the release of the first movie, and they are now seen as relics. The card itself features as an artifact in the movie, and the text on the card is a historical guide to Lawrence III’s plans to capture the legendary birds. Of course, there is also the famous “Nintedo” misprint, which has since become a high-value version of this cult classic.
Lugia 9/111 – Neo Genesis
Yes – this is the one with that swirl. Any vintage collector will tell you what a brilliant set Neo Genesis is, and this is the expansion’s grail. It features Lugia, the guardian of the seas, and is a defining piece of early 2000s Pokémon history. Because of problems with print lines and centering of reprints, pristine copies are incredibly rare. Because of this, its PSA 10 is less shocking than it initially looks.
Pikachu Illustrator – Japanese Promo
We know some of you won’t be happy that this isn’t number one, but it isn’t just on value alone. Going for $16.5 million at the latest auction is unbelievable, even with just 39 official copies printed. This was initially awarded to winners of the CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan, and the card itself was designed by the original artist who created Pikachu (Atsuko Nishidia)
Umbreon VMax 215/203 – Evolving Skies
With pull rates as low as they were, Evolving Skies turned into Evolving Cries for many. Add on the debacle with the warehouse staff stealing original prints, and you can see why this Umbreon VMax is so sought-after. This, of course, is before you see the beautiful artwork of the Umbreon staring into the moonlight. Aptly known as the Moonbreon by collectors, we simply couldn’t leave this one off the list.
| Card | Number # | Set | Ungraded Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charizard | 4 | Base Set | $800 |
| Ancient Mew | 001 | Pokémon movie, 2000 | $102 |
| Lugia | 9 | Neo Genesis | $519 |
| Pikachu Illustrator | 032 | Japanese Promo | N/A |
| Umbreon VMax | 215 | Evolving Skies | $2,416 |
As we have mentioned, these aren’t necessarily the most valuable cards you will come across, but they are sought-after for various other reasons. When we build our comparisons, we take plenty into account, and we’ve covered how we came to these conclusions in this table.
| Verified auction sales | Price still plays a part, and we want to choose cards that are on an upward trajectory |
| Fan base/characters | Charizard, Mew, Pikachu. Umbreon and Lugia are all fan favorites, so there was no doubt that they needed to be in this list |
| Era and sets | There is a mix of vintage and modern in our final list, but there is no doubt that there is much to consider when judging the best era and sets |
| Scarcity | Reprints are a huge consideration, too. The best cards aren’t often easy to get hold of, but that is half of the fun |
| Graded population | This is of interest to those specifically after graded variations, but it is an important part of our vetting. A flooded market isn’t rising any time soon |
| Artists and artwork | For collectors, these aren’t just Pokémon cards; they are mini pieces of art. Some artists create fresh scenes to enjoy, and others take you back through time |
Of course, much like the changes in prices over recent months, we plan to keep our rankings updated, too. You never know; we may have yet to see the best Pokémon card sets be released, and that next grail could be looming.
Collecting isn’t quite like being a gym leader, and you aren’t confined to fire, grass, psychic, or another energy alone. Of course, you may have binders split in this fashion, or pages dedicated to these types; however, before you start checking out the best sites to rip Pokémon cards, have a think about how you really want to collect them.
Sets seem to be dropping left, right, and center, but that doesn’t stop the mastersetters. These collectors work tirelessly to pick up every card, protect it, and store it in an ever-growing binder. The final goal is to have every card from the set.
You’ve also got collectors who are focused solely on slabs. You’ll find them at card shows, snooping for Pokémon cards to be graded, hunting online, and you can find them ripping packs on card break sites. Slabs keep things in the same condition and are authenticated by respected companies.
We have covered quite a few vintage cards in our list of the best Pokémon trading cards, but that’s with good reason. Who wouldn’t wish for a hit of nostalgia, some classic artwork, and a timeless piece added to their collection?
Only Collector”]We all have our favorites. Whether it’s Charizard, Cubone, Mimikyu, or Arita, Sugimori, or Kanda, you’ll find many collectors focus their efforts on building mastersets of every card specific to their favorite Pokémon or artist.
We go from collecting all of one Pokémon to catching them all. You may wish to build your own Pokedex, adding one of every Pokémon to your binder. Things have moved on since that original 151, though. Now, you’ll need a binder that can store more than 1,000 cards – that’s a task in itself.
Many of you will have played the games and watched the anime, but what about your own collection? Being a collector provides you with a little more freedom to explore Pokémon and focus on what you actually like.
Our list of top Pokémon cards has been built based on a number of factors, including market value, scarcity, popularity, and more; however, we also appreciate that some of these areas may be more important to you than others. So, take this list, consider what resonates, and enjoy adding to your collection.
Whether you add cards through trades at a show, purchases at a store, or through recent wins at a card break site – just like those mentioned in the banners on this page – we hope you enjoy every step of the way.
Getting hold of Pokémon products is a difficult task for the average Pokémon fan, but you can still head down to local stores, visit card shows, join the Pokémon Center queue, and check out the latest card break sites.
There are hundreds of ways to answer this one, and it really depends on your collection. We have the original base set Charizard as our number-one pick, alongside Ancient Mew, the Pikachu Illustrator, the Umbreon, and Lugia from Neo Genesis.
Yes. There are numerous ways for you to get your hands on Pokémon cards online. Online stores and the Pokémon Center are obvious options, but you’ll now find card break sites offer chances to purchase tiered packs with the chance of landing some top-end grails.
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