The Pokémon Trading Card Game’s Crown Zenith set features an abundance of Secret Rare cards worth a decent amount of money. Secret Rares featuring alternate artwork for previously released cards used to be quite few, but the Pokémon Company has begun releasing more of these beautiful cards into the Pokémon TCG to appeal to collectors. Unsurprisingly, these veritable works of art command a high price on online marketplaces.
The English Crown Zenith set is based on the Japanese VSTAR Universe Pokémon TCG set that had 71 Secret Rare cards. For the English release, all but one of these cards was released under a subset called Galarian Gallery which has its own numbering system. The only Secret Rare card outside this set is the Secret Pikachu card (pictured above) which sells for around $36 USD. For the purpose of this article, every card in the Galarian Gallery will be treated as a Secret Rare as they were in the original Japanese release.
Pokémon TCG Crown Zenith Secret Rare Cards - Legendary VSTARs
The Crown Zenith Secret Rare cards that command by far the highest prices are the VSTAR Legendary Pokémon from Pokémon Legends: Arceus: Giratina VSTAR ($130), Arceus VSTAR ($105), Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR ($73) and Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR ($55) (all prices via Pokémon Wizard and TCG Player). Legendary Pokémon cards always command high prices online due to their sheer power. But this set of four cards has one more obvious trait going for it: Their spectacular artwork. Each card is awash with a rich flow of oranges and browns that explode forth from the card. In Giratina’s case, gold drips down the card as Giratina oozes its way out of the darkness.
The other VSTAR Legendaries from Generation 4, Darkrai VSTAR ($24) and Deoxys VSTAR ($22), still fetch a decent price due to their powerful VSTAR abilities. VSTAR abilities are game-changing powers that can turn the tide of any game, but only one VSTAR ability can be used per game. For example, Darkrai VSTAR’s Star Abyss mechanic in Pokémon TCG allows the trainer to recover two used items from their discard pile. Darkrai VSTAR and Deoxys VSTAR also boast incredible artwork, using bright blues, oranges and purples to echo Deoxys’ own color scheme and to make Darkrai’s monotone body stand out.
Crown Zenith also boasts new Legendary VSTARs from outside of Pokémon Legends: Arceus: Mewtwo VSTAR ($81) and Zeraora VSTAR ($15). Mewtwo unsurprisingly always goes for a high price as it is one of the more popular Pokémon.
Additionally, its art combines the spiraling energy swirl of Mewtwo’s Psy Purge with the curve of its tail to create an aesthetically pleasing card. Putting Charizard in the background is certain to get diehard Charizard fans to buy the card as well. Although Zeraora is a more recent Pokémon, its sleek design and cute-yet-powerful personality have attracted a number of new fans.
Pokémon TCG Crown Zenith Secret Rare Cards - Non-Legendary VSTARs
Even non-Legendary VSTARs are incredibly powerful cards, commanding relatively high prices. Combining VSTAR power with popular mascot Pokémon like the Eeveelutions is a surefire recipe for success. Leafeon VSTAR ($38) and Glaceon VSTAR ($29) are both well-priced, with Leafeon perhaps having a slightly higher value due either to the utility of its VSTAR move or the increased detail in its artwork. The beautiful greenhouse with its assembly of botanical curios is a feast for the eyes.
The remaining VSTARs primarily draw on the popularity of Pokémon Legends: Arceus to find their fans. Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR ($24) has incredibly ambitious full artwork even for a Secret Rare VSTAR Pokémon TCG card, blending Zoroark's bright curling shocks of hair with twisting columns of black shadow. The artwork for Hisuian Samurott VSTAR ($16) references that this form of Samurott lacks the honor of its previously-discovered relative, showing an evil aura radiating out from the center of the card. Finally, Simisear VSTAR ($17) shows that it’s not always about having epic artwork: The comical and quirky art style on display has its own fringe appeal.
Pokémon TCG Crown Zenith Secret Rare Cards - Legendary V Cards
Despite the introduction of luxuriously enticing VSTAR cards, regular V cards still fetch high prices when featuring Legendaries. The Crown Zenith set features a new set of Legendary dog cards including Suicune V ($35), Raikou V ($28) and Entei V ($21). Each of these feature relatively simple artwork that best captures the elemental might of Pokémon’s three Legendary dogs, with Suicune’s aurora-themed landscape taking the prize for most visually stunning design. Two other Legendary dogs also have new V cards: Zacian V ($17) and Zamazenta V ($14). Given that this is the last Pokémon TCG set for Sword and Shield, it’s fitting to give these Legendaries one last hurrah.
Pokémon TCG Crown Zenith Secret Rare Cards: Trainer Cards
Although Pokémon are the main attraction, various Trainers such as Gym Leaders and Rivals also have their fans. The eighth most expensive card in the Crown Zenith set is the Irida Trainer card ($32) followed closely by other Trainer cards like Cynthia’s Ambition ($27), Melony ($19), and Gardenia’s Vigor ($14).
Trainer cards that help with drawing more cards tend to go for higher prices. Every Pokémon TCG card listed except for Melony allows the player to draw more cards, with Cynthia’s Ambition allowing the player to draw up to a massive eight cards - a complete game changer. Irida and Melony also go hand-in-hand since they both work around getting the best Water-type Pokémon and Water-type energy. Their abilities form a nice loop with the newly introduced Lumineon V Secret Rare card ($12).
In fairness, it’s not purely for aesthetic reasons that these particular cards are more valuable. Trainer cards that help with drawing more cards tend to go for higher prices. Every card listed except for Melony allows the player to draw more cards, with Cynthia’s Ambition allowing the player to draw up to a massive eight cards - a complete game changer. Irida and Melony also go hand-in-hand since they both work around getting the best Water-type Pokémon and Water-type energy. Their abilities form a nice loop with the newly introduced Lumineon V Secret Rare card ($12).
Although new Pokémon cards lack the antique value and lost-to-the-ages rarity of original Pokémon cards, the Crown Zenith set makes a great case for why modern artwork should be worth top dollar. The Secret Rare cards of the Crown Zenith set, primarily composed of V and VSTAR cards, all display expert illustrations that warm the heart of whichever lucky trainer gets to use them. While the Pokémon TCG is competitive, the value of Pokémon cards ultimately comes down to their aesthetic and collectability.
Sources: Pokémon Wizard, TCG Player
