For over two decades, Pokémon cards have been more than just a game; they’ve become a global phenomenon and a highly sought-after collectible. While millions of cards have been printed, a few stand out from the crowd due to their extreme rarity and jaw-dropping value. So, what is the rarest Pokémon card?
The answer is, without a doubt, the Pikachu Illustrator card.
Why is the Pikachu Illustrator Card So Rare?
Unlike most Pokémon cards that are sold in booster packs, the Pikachu Illustrator card was never commercially released. It was a prize card, awarded to the winners of a series of art contests held by the Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic in 1998.
The card features an original illustration of Pikachu by Atsuko Nishida, one of the original illustrators for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The card’s unique “Illustrator” title and special pen symbol set it apart from all other cards.
Only 39 copies were ever given out to contest winners. With so few in existence, and even fewer in pristine condition, the Pikachu Illustrator has become the “holy grail” for serious Pokémon collectors.
The Value of the Rarest Card
The value of the Pikachu Illustrator card is truly astonishing. In 2021, a Gem Mint PSA 10 graded copy of the card sold for a record-breaking $5.275 million in a private sale. This sale cemented its status as the most expensive and rarest Pokémon card in the world.
Other Incredibly Rare Pokémon Cards
While the Pikachu Illustrator holds the top spot, several other cards are also considered extremely rare and valuable:
- First Edition Shadowless Charizard: This card is perhaps the most iconic and recognizable vintage Pokémon card. A pristine, first-edition, shadowless Charizard from the original 1999 Base Set can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, with a PSA 10 copy selling for around $420,000. Its value comes from its iconic status and a relatively small population of high-grade copies.
- Pokémon Blastoise #009/165R Commissioned Presentation Card: This card is so rare that only a handful are known to exist. It was a prototype created by Wizards of the Coast to pitch the TCG to Nintendo. One of these unique cards with a blank back and squared corners sold for $360,000 at auction.
- Trophy Cards: Many of the world’s most valuable cards are not from booster packs, but are trophy cards awarded to winners of official tournaments in Japan. These include cards like the “No. 1 Trainer” and “Kangaskhan-Holo Family Event Trophy” cards, which have incredibly low populations and can sell for six-figure prices.
The rarity of a Pokémon card is often a combination of its limited print run, historical significance, and the condition it’s in. Whether it’s a prize from a long-forgotten contest or a first-run printing, these cards represent a unique piece of Pokémon history that collectors are willing to pay a premium for.