Pokemon TCG: 12 Most Valuable Sets of All Time
By Chris Guest
The Pokemon TCG has released over 100 sets since the game debuted in English in January of 1999. While it took some time before the game took off, when it did, Pokémania gripped the U.S. for years.
And with good reason, as the first few sets of the TCG featured extremely fun cards – many of which powered the best decks from the game's early years – as well as highly sought-after cards among collectors.
Speaking of collecting, because the TCG is now 25 years old, there are thousands upon thousands of cards that have been designed and printed, and some of them are far more valuable than others – and the same can be said of specific sets in the Pokemon TCG.
These 12 Pokemon TCG sets feature a number of chase cards worth big money on the secondary market
There are multiple reasons why specific Pokemon TCG sets are more valuable than others, but these 12 sets feature the highest average price per card among all expansions. Read on to peruse the most valuable Pokemon TCG sets ever.
Note: The average price per card information comes from PriceCharting.com, but any individual market prices quoted come via TCGPlayer.com data, with no first edition cards included in the pricing – though, of course, those cards are far rarer and pricier than their unlimited counterparts.
12. Expedition
Average Price per Card: $15.16
The first expansion in the e-Reader series, which featured three sets, kicks off this list with an average value per card of just over $15. This set was released in September of 2002 and features a bevy of notable cards, including new versions of the original Kanto starters and their respective evolution lines.
As such, this set’s most expensive is, of course, a Charizard variant – though it just missed being one of the 18 most valuable Charizard cards of all time, slotting in at the 19th-priciest ‘Zard card ever. This Charizard was the first one since Base Set to be simply named “Charizard,” as the others were themed (Dark, Blaine’s and Shining, respectively), and its holofoil version holds a market price of a cool $221.46.
11. Neo Revelation
Average Price per Card: $15.29
The third of four sets in the Neo series, which introduced Generation Two Pokemon to the TCG, marked the debut of shiny card variants – or in the parlance of the TCG, “shining.” The first two shiny TCG cards were of beloved water-type ‘mon Magikarp and its ultra-strong evolved form Gyarados.
While the entire Neo Revelation set has an average price per card of $15.29, the top line of the set are those two shinies, with a holofoil Shining Magikarp card fetching a market price of $175.16 and Shining Gyarados weighing in at a shocking $374.98 – making it one of the most valuable water-type cards of all time. Beyond that, this set has some other awesome cards that aren’t worth as much, such as a sweet-looking Houndoom ($300), an absolutely adorable Celebi ($86) and a goofy-looking Delibird ($51).
10. Evolving Skies
Average Price per Card: $17.23
The most recent set on this list was only released in the summer of 2021, but it already cracks into the top of most valuable Pokemon TCG sets ever. Why? Likely because it holds one of the most valuable Eeveelution cards of all time (the third most valuable, in fact): Moonbreon.
A nickname given to the gorgeous Evolving Skies Umbreon VMAX with secret alternate art, this card alone commands nearly $900 on the secondary market. Beyond that, the set is littered with big-ticket chase cards, such as a secret alternate art version of beloved dragon-type legendary Rayquaza as well as more Eeveelutions with secret alternate art in the form of Leafeon, Glaceon and Sylveon.