the Pokémon TCG has been publishing card sets in Japan since 1996, when the first edition of Pokémon cards was released for fans to collect. Since then, the industry has continued to develop and release new sets and expansions, bringing the total number of Pokémon sets to 74 in America and 68 in Japan. Over the years, the Pokémon franchise has grown bigger and more influential, with more Pokémon types, games, mangas, shows, and movies. This influence has given trade goods that count as select rare Pokémon card sets and collections higher value.
There are a few variables that determine the value of Pokémon card expansions and sets, although there have been a few exceptions over the years. It is known that the age, rarity, professional sports authority rating, and demand (popularity) of a set or an extension affect the rating value of various collections.
While the monetary value of these Pokémon TCG sets and expansions can change with the market and demand, these are the Pokémon collections that have the highest monetary value right now.
Older sets of the Pokémon TCG regularly sell for thousands of dollars
Basic set of the first edition
Unsurprisingly, the First Edition Base Set is perhaps the most valuable Pokémon TCG set on the market. As the very first collection, it is the origin of the Pokémon Trading Card Game phenomenon that contributed to the popularity of the franchise. Aside from the First Edition Shadowless Charizard card, which is one of the most valuable cards around, this pack also houses other extremely expensive cards. The Shadowless Blastoise and Venusaur cards included in this set sell for thousands of dollars at auction in like new or near mint condition (via TCGPlayer). The ability to get First Edition Starters and Legendary Pokémon is incentive enough to buy even a single sealed pack for hundreds of dollars. Booster packs are selling for even more, selling for over $ 408,000 at auctions according to price charting.
POP series 5
A lesser-known Pokémon TCG expansion that contains rare and valuable cards is POP Series 5. This expansion includes expensive cards depicting Espeon and Umbreon as Shinies, and was given away as an entry prize in Pokémon League tournaments. The most expensive cards in this collection are priced up to $ 175,000 based on current offers on sites like TCGPlayer and PokemonPrices. The POP series contained not only Eeveelutions, but also the title legends of Pokémon Silver and Gold. Ho-Oh and Lugia were both accompanied by a Delta Mew, each of which cost hundreds of dollars on average. While POP Series 5 does not include all of the cards in the POP Series set, it is still an extremely valuable find.
Skyridge Pokémon TCG Set
The Skyridge Pokémon TCG set was released in May 2003 and was the 16th set ever released in the game. Trainer booster boxes are regularly auctioned for over $ 50,000. This collection set is home to particularly valuable cards like the Crystal Charizard Card, which is one of the most valuable Charizard Pokémon TCG cards ever released and has sold for over $ 5,000 at various auction times and websites (via PokemonPrices). The Skyridge Pokémon Trading Card Game set also includes Ho-Oh, Gengar, and Celebi cards, each worth over $ 1,000 when new or near new.
While there are dozens of Pokémon TCG sets and expansions that can be auctioned and sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, collectors and fans of the franchise can expect the First Edition, POP Series 5, and Skyridge sets to be consistently more expensive than the market. the Pokémon TCG is still producing new sets, with the Evolving Skies Sword and Shield expansion being released on August 27, 2021.
Sources: TCGPlayer, Pricecharting, PokemonPrices
About the author
Natalie Lindner
(153 published articles)
Natalie Lindner is Game Features Writer for Screen Rant and creates content about the past, present and future of games in the industry. She previously worked in a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, helping college students improve their writing skills. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.
Natalie works in New Hampshire and spends the time she doesn’t write about games outside; Walking or cycling. On those rainy days, she’s in search of some action on the latest FPS or reading the latest comics.
More from Natalie Lindner
