PokéMarket: Best Pokémon Cards to Invest In 2023

Since the Pokémon company introduced Pokémon trading cards in 1996, prices for first-edition cards have appreciated by over 10,000%. Despite that, few know what makes some Pokemon cards excellent investments.

The best cards are worth more than you'd think—true collectibles are guaranteed to increase in value. There's a global market for Pokémon cards, and while it's easy to find out the price of vintage cards, there are plenty of collectors willing to shell out to buy the rare cards.

Pokémon cards can be a profitable investment due to limited supplies creating scarcity and increasing demand throughout the global market. Plus, it’s easy for anyone to start investing since information about card values and rarity is so accessible.

The value of Pokémon cards is determined by factors like nostalgia, rarity, demand, and supply. Nostalgia has a huge impact on Pokémon card collectors with expendable cash to spend on them. They’re willing to shell out a lot to relive a small slice of their childhood.

Rarity is another major factor—finding first edition cards, which were the earliest printed, are the trickiest to find and by far the most expensive. Demand for Pokémon cards has been consistently high for more than a decade as the popularity of the franchise has only gone up. The supply of certain Pokémon cards is also limited, as specific sets of Pokémon cards come and go.

Lastly, cards with printing mistakes are some of the most desirable as they’re unique and limited in supply. The rarest misprints are often the cards that take pokemon investing to the next level.

How much are Pokemon cards worth?

A Pokémon card can be worth as little as a few cents all the way up to seven figures. The most money ever spent on a Pokémon is $5.275 million, but most of the top cards are in the $1,000 to $100,000 range. Collecting Pokémon cards usually isn’t an investment, but the rarest and most coveted cards can perform as well as a Rolex watch or a rare vintage comic book.

When it comes to making a profitable investment, certain Pokémon cards stand out as being more valuable than others. Look for rare cards that are in high demand and have a limited supply. These will be the cards that offer the best return on investment.

Pokémon TCG can be a profitable investment due to their limited supply, increasing demand, global market, and easily accessible information about card values and rarity. Here are the best, rarest, and most sought-after Pokémon cards to invest in, from old school to new releases.

1. Pokemon Celebrations Shiny Mew Gold Holo

• Price Range: $38 to $95
• Highest Sale Price: $170
• Year: 2021

The Mew card from the Pokemon Celebrations Secret Rare set is an exclusive gold shiny version of the popular mascot from the Pokémon series. This Pokémon card is exclusive to the 25th Anniversary Collection, and there is no Japanese equivalent, making it highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

The full-art gold Pokémon card is extremely eye-catching and is considered a rare prize for those who are able to obtain it. This anniversary edition of Mew is the first of the Pokémon's 36 appearances in the Pokémon TCG to be featured as a Secret Rare shiny card.

2. Shining Fates #107 Shiny Charizard VMAX

• Price Range: $97 to $229
• Highest Sale Price: $2,400 (Japanese)
• Year: 2021

The Pokemon Shining Fates expansion set is one of the most popular sets among Pokémon card collectors and players, and one particular card is causing quite a stir. That card is the Charizard VMAX, which features a shiny Charizard in all of its black-scaled beauty.

This card is considered to be the most expensive and sought-after card in the set, and for good reason. Charizard is one of the most beloved Pokemon starters and has a long history in the Pokemon franchise, making it a must-have for any collector or player.

Currently, the prices of the Charizard VMAX card can vary depending on the quality and centering of the card. Prices can range from $181 and up, with some sellers asking for much higher prices. This is because Charizard cards are known to be highly sought after by collectors and often drive up the prices of the sets they’re in.

The Charizard VMAX is no different, with collectors trying their best to get their hands on this coveted Pokémon card.

3. 2006 Arcanine ex Legend Maker

• Price Range: $83 to $1,122
• Highest Sale Price: $1,775
• Year: 2006

Arcanine ex Legend Maker is a highly desirable card from the golden era of the Pokémon trading card game. It’s considered Ultra Rare, with average value currently around $86. Comparable cards sold from a low of $4, but a PSA 10 reached a high of $1,775.

Additionally, prices for this card have trended up by about 204%. It's a great card for collectors and players looking for a valuable and desirable addition to their deck.

4. Pokemon Promo Card Ash’s Pikachu SM108

• Price Range: $11 to $173
• Highest Sale Price: $500
• Year: 2017

Ash's Pikachu is a highly sought-after card for its design and allusion to the protagonist of the Pokemon cartoon. Investors can find this card valued under $15, making it one of the more valuable cards in the set. Collecting multiple Ash's Pikachu variations (SM109, SM110, SM111, SM112, SM113, and SM114) can increase the overall value of your collection and potentially lead to a higher return when you sell.

It's worth noting that the value of collectible cards can fluctuate over time, so do your research and stay informed about the current market trends. But overall, investing in a complete set of Ash's Pikachu cards could prove profitable.

5. Trainer Lillie Full Art Ultra Prism

• Price Range: $212 to $905
• Highest Sale Price: $1200
• Year: 2018

Lillie is considered one of the most valuable trainer Pokémon cards due to her role as the heroine in the Pokemon franchise and her well-drawn card art. In the Pokémon video game, she’s focused on protecting her buddy Cosmog and establishes herself as a main character in the franchise.

This 2018 release allows players to draw cards until they have six or eight in their hands. Overall, Lillie is a strong investment due to the character’s connection to the Pokemon Sun & Moon games and the appealing card art.

6. Pokemon POP Series 5 Espeon Gold Star 

• Price Range: $1,350 to $5,000
• Highest Sale Price: $20,100
• Year: 2007

The Gold Star Espeon from the Pokemon POP Series 5 set is tightly held in a desirable position amongst Pokemon trading card game enthusiasts. Its release year, 2007, marks it as an originally released promotional card that commands a price range between $1,350 and $5,000. However, it's noteworthy that its highest recorded sale price bolsters an astonishing $20,100.

This ultra-rare card showcases the brilliance of the Pokemon sword-carrying Espeon in a splendid design that leaves a mark on the hearts of fans. Its promotional card status, energy cards attached, and brilliant design earn it an essential spot in the card games, having, in the past, dealt opponents powerful blows in competitive matches.

Its beauty makes it one of the most beautiful Pokemon cards while its status as a promo card adds a touch of rarity and exclusivity. Therefore, whether for a game within the Pokemon world or to further strengthen a collection, the Pokemon POP Series 5 Espeon Gold Star card holds a capacity to draw attention.

7. Shadowless First Edition Charizard 

• Price Range: $3,204 to $50,100 
• Highest Sale Price: $420,000 
• Supply: 102
• Year: 1999

The Charizard card from the 1999 Base Set is considered to be the most iconic Pokemon trading card of all time. The original release is a highly sought-after card because Charizard was one of the most popular and powerful Pokemon in the game. The condition of these cards can vary greatly, as many were not well-preserved.

However, the PSA grading system helps keep track of the best condition Charizards, making it easier for collectors and investors to understand the market. The popularity of Charizard and its scarcity in near-mint condition makes it ultra desirable.

The Shadowless variation of the first edition holo Charizard card is considered one of the most valuable and sought-after cards in the Pokémon trading card game. One that sold for a record-breaking $420,000 at PWCC Auctions in March 2022 is graded PSA 10, so it’s considered one of the best Charizard cards in existence.

The card is highly sought after for its perfect centering, lack of whitening on the back, no imperfections in the holo feature, and of course, the missing shadow. The Charizard is also considered one of the most popular cards ever designed by artist Mitsuhiro Arita. Prices for the Charizard card have only increased over the years, making it the holy grail for collectors and a super valuable card for investors.

Investing in collectibles can be a tricky business, but classic Pokémon cards have been a safe bet for consistent value growth over the years. With the release of new generations, the demand for rare and sought-after cards continues to rise. While the prices of most cards have their ups and downs, the most coveted ones have set records in recent years.

One example of this is the PSA 10 Base Set Holo Shadowless Charizard, which fetched over $400,000. The 25th Celebration Pokémon packs are also a good investment, as they’re reprints of the original Wizards of the Coast set and have almost doubled in value since their initial release.

As the supply of original Pokémon TCG sets grow scarcer, more fans will likely flock to these readily available packs.

The prices of collectibles can fluctuate and are impacted by overprinting and demand among resellers and collectors. While it may be tempting to invest in assets with perceptions of rarity and value, you’ll do better in the Pokémon TCG market if you have a long-term outlook and are patient enough to wait for the next bull run.