Welcome to Rare Candy's "Questions Answered," series, where we look into your burning questions about the world of TCG and collectibles.
Looking to pick up some super rare cards of your own? Search Rare Candy's Legendary Grails listings to see cards for sale and keep an eye on our auctions where new exciting cards are made available every week!
Ever wondered how a Pokémon card can be worth more than a car? Or why some others are worth just a few pennies? In the Pokémon TCG, rarity, condition, and history aren't just part of the game—they form a complex market ecosystem and imbue cards with often staggering value! In this article, we’re going to pull back the curtain on what makes a Pokémon card so sought after. We’ll cover topics such as print rarity, card condition, and promotional releases before finally taking a look at some of the rarest Pokemon cards of all time!
Defining Rarity
First, let’s delve into what exactly contributes to a card’s rarity. Understanding the factors driving the Pokémon TCG collectors' market is crucial, whether you're a seasoned collector or new to the game. Here are some key aspects that can affect a card’s value:
Scarcity: The difficulty of obtaining a card directly influences its desirability. The most valuable cards tend to be ultra-rare printings or those from limited releases and promotional events.
Condition: A card's condition is paramount. Mint or near-mint conditions( especially those verified through grading) can significantly increase a card's value.
Historical Value: Cards linked to tournaments, promotional events or significant moments or in Pokémon TCG history often carry more weight in the collector's market.
Grade: A grade, assigned by a reputable third-party service, is a reliable measure of a card's condition and authenticity, which boosts its market value. While there may be a large total number of a particular card available, ones that are in mint condition are usually much more scarce. Because of this, a high grade can transform a rare card into a coveted investment.
Combining the Layers of Rarity in Pokémon TCG
Now that you've got the basics, we can see how rarity in the Pokémon TCG involves more than just the number of cards in circulation. It’s a combination of several factors impacting both collectors and players. Let's take a look at how these factors combine with a few examples.
Scarcity and Condition: The rarity of a card starts with how many copies were printed and how many remain in circulation. As mentioned above, though, the condition, especially those graded by third-party services, plays a critical role. For example, a grade 10 1999 1st Edition Charizard-Holo recently sold for $250,000, vastly out-pricing a grade 9 at $16,000.
Limited Releases and Promotional Events: Some of the rarest Pokémon TCG cards come from special promotions or limited releases. The Pokémon Illustrator card, awarded to winners of a CoroCoro Comic illustration contest, is a prime example. Its limited release and creation story make it one of the most sought-after cards, showing how history can enhance a card's rarity.
Competitive Viability: The usefulness of cards in competitive play can also affect their rarity and value. Cards that dominate tournaments often see increased demand, even if they are not as scarce. For instance, an uncommon Zorua from B&W Dark Explorers once had a market price over $20 due to many competitive players seeking out the card.
Historical Significance: Cards tied to pivotal moments in the Pokémon universe or representing advances in card design often have unique allure. These cards are prized not only for their scarcity but also for capturing the essence of Pokémon’s rich history and celebrating community milestones. The 2021 Creatures deck, released by Creatures Inc., to celebrate Pokémon's 25th anniversary, was only given as a gift to Pokémon TCG illustrators, staffers and friends of the franchise. Together with it's not-for-sale status, exciting cards like a prototype Chansey with different moves and stats from the one ultimately published in the base set make this a great example of a limited release that speaks directly to Pokémon's history and fandom.
Understanding how cards gain their value reveals that the quest for the rarest Pokémon cards is about more than just the cards themselves. It’s about the stories, history, and community surrounding them. As the collecting space evolves, it continues to offer new ways for everyone to connect, share, and pursue the treasures of the Pokémon TCG universe.
Pokémon TCG's Rarest Cards
In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, certain cards stand as testaments to the rich history and evolving nature of collecting. These cards, known for their scarcity, historical value, and unmatched appeal, are the “holy grails” of Pokemon TCG collecting. Here are some of the rarest and most culturally significant Pokemon cards of all time:
The 1999 1st Edition Charizard-Holo is one of the most legendary Pokemon cards of all time. A centerpiece of any premier collection, it commands attention with record-breaking auction sales, including a notable transaction where it fetched $420,000. Its allure isn't just in its stunning artwork or the nostalgia it evokes, but also in the difficulty of finding one in pristine condition. These cards become especially rare when we talk about the grade. There are only about 120 PSA 10 grade cards in existence, making it one of the rarest—and most iconic Pokémon cards—you could add to a collection.
The Pokémon Illustrator was awarded exclusively to winners of the CoroCoro Comic illustration contest and is as culturally significant as it is exclusive; the story of a competition that engaged the creative spirits of Pokémon fans makes it a charming piece of Pokémon history. Its limited release, combined with the story of its origin and an astounding 2022 sale price of $5,275,000 — the Guinness world record for most expensive Pokémon cards sale — has propelled the Illustrator to the upper echelons of Pokémon TCG rarity.
Alterations such as signatures from famous artists can also skyrocket the value of a card! The signatures of iconic artists such as Ken Sugimori and Mitsuhiro Arita can add thousands of dollars to the value of a card, especially considering how few signatures exist of Pokémon’s top celebrities.
The Magikarp Snap Contest 1999 is a rare card with a very unique backstory. This card, one of only 20 made, was a reward for contestants who captured compelling images in the Pokémon Snap video game. Its scarcity is highlighted by its infrequent appearances at public auctions, making it a sought-after gem for those intrigued by the lore and exclusivity of Pokémon TCG's history.
The No. 1 Trainer card is an exclusive promo card that can only be acquired by getting first place at the Pokemon World Championships! With each year featuring different artwork, this card is not only incredibly unique but also tied to some of the most iconic moments in the history of the circuit. They often fetch a high price, particularly with collectors who have an attachment to the tournaments.
The Secret Super Battle-Best promo cards are some of the most unique official cards ever printed, and some of even the most seasoned collectors are unaware that they exist! Held in Japan in 1999, this secret tournament gifted a special card to its top 3 performing players featuring a photo of themselves. Each of these cards is the only one of its kind in existence, making them technically the most rare a Pokémon card can be!
Each of these cards showcases a unique element of Pokemon TCG collecting and the diverse history which imbues them with so much significance and value. Cards like these breathe life into the community, and anyone lucky enough to have one in their personal collection is immediately aware that they own a piece of Pokemon mythology.
Looking to pick up some super rare cards of your own? Search Rare Candy's Legendary Grails listings to see cards for sale and keep an eye on our auctions where new exciting cards are made available every week!
