Most Expensive Pokemon Card Ever Sold
What is the most expensive Pokemon card? The Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10 holds the record at $5,275,000. Below is the complete list of the top 10 most expensive Pokemon cards ever sold at auction with verified prices, grades, and sale details.
Pikachu Illustrator
CoroCoro Comics Promo • 1998
The "Holy Grail" of Pokemon cards. Awarded to winners of the 1998 CoroCoro illustration contest. Logan Paul famously wore this card on a chain at WrestleMania.
Pikachu Illustrator
CoroCoro Comics Promo • 1998
The "Holy Grail" of Pokemon cards. Awarded to winners of the 1998 CoroCoro illustration contest. Logan Paul famously wore this card on a chain at WrestleMania.
Trophy Pikachu No.1 Trainer
Lizardon Mega Battle Promo • 1998
Awarded to first place winners of the 1997-98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle tournament, the second official Pokemon TCG tournament ever held.
Trophy Pikachu No.1 Trainer
Lizardon Mega Battle Promo • 1998
Awarded to first place winners of the 1997-98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle tournament, the second official Pokemon TCG tournament ever held.
1999 1st Edition Base Set Charizard
Base Set • 1999
The most iconic Pokemon card sold for a new record $550,000 at Heritage Auctions in December 2025, besting the previous record of $420,000 set in 2022. This is the ninth public sale of a PSA 10 example in 2025.
1999 1st Edition Base Set Charizard
Base Set • 1999
The most iconic Pokemon card sold for a new record $550,000 at Heritage Auctions in December 2025, besting the previous record of $420,000 set in 2022. This is the ninth public sale of a PSA 10 example in 2025.
1999 Raichu Holo Prerelease
Prerelease Promo • 1999
One of the rarest Pokemon cards in existence. This prerelease error card was never officially released and only a handful are known to exist. The card features a "Prerelease" stamp and was mistakenly created during the Base Set production. Sold at Heritage Auctions in September 2025 for a record $550,000.
1999 Raichu Holo Prerelease
Prerelease Promo • 1999
One of the rarest Pokemon cards in existence. This prerelease error card was never officially released and only a handful are known to exist. The card features a "Prerelease" stamp and was mistakenly created during the Base Set production. Sold at Heritage Auctions in September 2025 for a record $550,000.
Topsun Charizard Blue Back
Topsun • 1995
Pre-Pokemon TCG card from the Topsun series released in Japan in 1995-1997, predating the official Pokemon Trading Card Game. The blue back variant is significantly rarer than the green back version. This PSA 10 example is one of the finest known.
Topsun Charizard Blue Back
Topsun • 1995
Pre-Pokemon TCG card from the Topsun series released in Japan in 1995-1997, predating the official Pokemon Trading Card Game. The blue back variant is significantly rarer than the green back version. This PSA 10 example is one of the finest known.
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Trophy Pikachu Silver 2nd Tournament
Lizardon Mega Battle Promo • 1998
Awarded to second place winners of the 1997-98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle tournament.
Trophy Pikachu Silver 2nd Tournament
Lizardon Mega Battle Promo • 1998
Awarded to second place winners of the 1997-98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle tournament.
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Base Set Charizard Holo (1st Ed Shadowless)
Base Set • 1999
The most iconic Pokemon card of all time. This first edition shadowless Base Set Charizard is the holy grail for collectors. The shadowless variant was only printed in the earliest Base Set runs, making it extremely scarce in PSA 10 condition.
Base Set Charizard Holo (1st Ed Shadowless)
Base Set • 1999
The most iconic Pokemon card of all time. This first edition shadowless Base Set Charizard is the holy grail for collectors. The shadowless variant was only printed in the earliest Base Set runs, making it extremely scarce in PSA 10 condition.
Blastoise WOTC Presentation Galaxy Star Holo
Presentation Cards • 1998
Presentation card with unique galaxy star holographic pattern.
Blastoise WOTC Presentation Galaxy Star Holo
Presentation Cards • 1998
Presentation card with unique galaxy star holographic pattern.
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Signed Base Set Charizard Holo (Japanese)
Base Set • 1996
Japanese Base Set Charizard signed by artist Mitsuhiro Arita.
Signed Base Set Charizard Holo (Japanese)
Base Set • 1996
Japanese Base Set Charizard signed by artist Mitsuhiro Arita.
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Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze Trophy
Lizardon Mega Battle Promo • 1998
Awarded to third place winners of the 1997-98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle tournament.
Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Bronze Trophy
Lizardon Mega Battle Promo • 1998
Awarded to third place winners of the 1997-98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle tournament.
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Images: Heritage Auctions (3,9), CGC (7), Goldin Auctions (4,5,10), Private Collection (1,2,6,8)