The Pokémon Trading Card Game has amassed a wide variety of cards over the years, and some expansions and sets have become particularly valuable over that time. The first edition of Pokémon cards was released in Japan in 1996 for fans to collect, and throughout the years, the Pokémon franchise has only been growing larger and more influential with more Pokémon species, games, manga, shows, and movies. This influence has brought elevated value to its merchandise, like some of the most valuable Pokémon sets and collections.
There are a few variables that determine the value of the rarest Pokémon card expansions and sets, though there have been some exceptions throughout the years. A set or expansion's age, rarity, Professional Sports Authority grading, and demand (popularity) have all been known to affect the appraisal value of various collections. While the monetary worth of these Pokémon TCG sets and expansions is subject to change with the market and demand, these are the Pokémon collections that currently have the highest monetary value.
POP Series 5 Is One Of The Most Valuable Pokémon Sets
A lesser-known Pokémon TCG expansion that contains rare and valuable cards is POP Series 5. This expansion contains expensive cards depicting Espeon and Umbreon as Shinies and was distributed at Pokémon League tournaments as a participation award. The POP Series not only featured Pokémon TCG cards of Eeveelutions but also the title Legendaries of Pokémon Silver and Gold. Ho-Oh and Lugia were both ed by a Delta Mew, each of which sells for hundreds of dollars on average. While POP Series 5 does not include all the cards from the POP Series set, single booster packs tend to sell for around $500 according to PriceCharting.
The Skyridge Pokémon TCG Set Fetches A High Price
The Skyridge Pokémon Trading Card Game set was released in May 2003 and was the 16th set ever released in the game. This collection set is home to particularly valuable cards such as the prized Crystal Charizard card, which is one of the most valuable Charizard Pokémon TCG cards ever released.
The Skyridge Pokémon TCG set also has Ho-Oh, Gengar, and Celebi cards which are valued at over $1,000 each in mint or near-mint condition. A Skyridge Booster Box sold in 2022 for $40,800 without a factory seal in a PWCC auction.
The First Edition Base Set Is Worth The Most Money
Unsurprisingly, the First Edition Base Set is perhaps the most valuable Pokémon TCG set on the market as the origin of the Pokémon Trading Card Game phenomenon that contributed to the franchise's popularity. This pack is home to extremely expensive finds like the First Edition Shadowless Charizard card, perhaps one of the most overvalued Pokémon TCG cards today. The possibility of obtaining First Edition starters and Legendary Pokémon is enough of an incentive to purchase even a single sealed pack for hundreds of dollars. Booster packs will sell for even more, with one sealed box reaching a peak of $408,000 in a Heritage Auctions sale.
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 consistently be on the pricier side of the market. The Pokémon Trading Card Game is still producing new sets, but these classic options are likely to remain among the most valuable Pokémon sets that money can buy.
Sources: PriceCharting, PWCC, Heritage Auctions
