Pokémon has built a long legacy of iconic cards as one of the oldest trading card games. There's a lot to sort through here, from Gen 1’s iconic original trio to modern expansions like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. We went through the Pokedex of the most special Pokémon cards to find the ones every collector should know about.
Discover the most iconic Pokémon cards with our definitive guide, from nostalgic classics to banned competitive cards.
What Do We Mean By ‘Iconic’?
The Pokémon TCG has been around since 1998, spawning an armada of beloved cards with every set. Ask a collector, and they’ll probably tell you half of the Gen 1 roster is iconic — they’re not entirely wrong either. Keeping that history in mind, we looked at more than just the price to curate this list of the rarest Pokemon cards ever.
#1: Pikachu Illustrator
The Pikachu Illustrator card hits all the right beats. It’s rare, old, and at $5.2 million, it’s the most expensive Pokémon card in the world.
- The History: This special Pokémon card is nearly as old as the TCG, dating back to 1998-1999. The Pikachu Illustrator card wasn’t available through the usual new Pokemon booster boxes and packs. Instead, less than thirty cards were produced as prizes for the winners of an art contest hosted by CoroCoro Comic, a Japanese magazine.
- The Rarity: Pikachu Illustrator is also considered one of the rarest Pokemon cards ever due to its exclusive artwork. Atsuko Nishida, the creator of many iconic Gen 1 designs, including Pikachu, designed this card herself. Atsuko’s elusive public persona and departure from Pokémon only generated more interest in the already exclusive Pokémon collectible. For old-school Pokémon TCG fans, this one’s a piece of history.
#2: Shadowless Charizard
Charizard has produced some of the most iconic Pokémon cards of all time. The original Charizard card was not just a collector's item, but also a competitive powerhouse. Its iconic Fire Spin ability was one of the most powerful in the game at the time, making it a particularly special Pokémon card for players.
This Charizard is one of the rarest Pokemon cards ever due to a simple misprint: a missing shadow. The manufacturer quickly corrected the error after the release, turning this valuable misprinted holo card into a must-have item. PSA 10 shadowless Charizards can fetch upwards of $400,000 on the market today.
The Paldean Fates expansion also includes a valuable Charizard ex card, perfect for newcomers looking for a more recent and affordable option.
#3: Japanese Promo Silver 2nd-2nd Pikachu
Just like the Pikachu Illustrator, the Silver 2nd Pikachu promo card was created explicitly as a prize. This exclusive promo card was a runners-up award for Lizardon Mega Battle tournament contestants. According to most estimates, only 14 of these cards were ever printed, making them one of the rarest Pokémon cards ever. This Japanese Pokémon card was last sold for over $440,000 in 2023.
#4: Neo Genesis Lugia
It’s not all about Gen 1. Lugia was one of the first introductions to Gen 2, making it a special Pokémon card for collectors. This card was part of the Neo Genesis set, notorious for misprints and being difficult to grade. The card also featured a holographic foil that was highly susceptible to physical damage. As a result, only three Neo Genesis Lugia cards have ever received a perfect 10 rating from BGS, putting it up there with the most iconic Pokémon cards in terms of rarity.
#5: Extra Battle Day Full Art Lille
This full-art promo card from 2019 is the newest release on our list. Most promo cards are given out as prizes to skilled contestants. JP Full Art Lille, however, could only be obtained by sheer luck, which is why it’s one of the rarest Pokémon cards ever.
This card could only be pulled from a special prize booster pack at the Extra Battle Day tournament, which included one of three full-art promo cards, Lille being the rarest. Even if you did win, there was no guarantee you would pull the card. The Japanese promo card’s rarity has even boosted the value of non-promo Full Art Lille cards, available in Pokémon 151 boxes.
Find Your Icons
Don’t let the high prices and private sales intimidate you. Special Pokémon cards drop with every new expansion, and rare promo cards like Special Delivery Bidoof can crop up at any moment. Many of the rarest Pokémon cards ever, like Charizard, started out as simple base cards. Try out new Pokémon expansions to diversify your collection, and you might pull tomorrow’s icons.
Building an iconic collection doesn’t have to be expensive. Shop Skybox Collectibles for great deals on upcoming Pokémon boxes, and enjoy free shipping on your order. If you’re looking for a specific card, browse our collection of rare singles at our trading card store in Norwalk, CT!
