Pokemon TCG: 12 Most Valuable Sets of All Time
By Chris Guest
3. Neo Destiny
Average Price per Card: $26.33
The final expansion from the Neo series, this set marked the first time that “Light” versions of specific ‘mons debuted to break up the uber-popular dark sub-type. Of course, the “Shining” cards are the big-ticket items from this set, led by chase card of all chase cards Shining Charizard, which holds a modern-day market price of (gulp) $1,500.98.
‘Zard isn’t the only Shining ‘mon from this set worth beaucoup of cash, however, as both Shining Raichu and Shining Tyranitar – which features one of the best works of art ever on a Pokemon TCG card – hover near the $400 mark. An intriguing set, and one that certainly holds up value-wise among collectors.
2. Aquapolis
Average Price per Card: $30.23
The top two sets on this list were the final two from the e-Reader series and were also the last two that were designed and published by Wizards of the Coast (the company responsible for pioneering card game Magic: The Gathering). Because of this, there were limited print runs of this set, with Skyridge only receiving one.
As such, Aquapolis and Skyridge cards are worth a fortune – as Aquapolis’s over-$30 average price per card indicates. The chase card from this set is likely holofoil Lugia, which holds a market price of nearly $2,400, but there’s plenty of other big-ticket holofoil cards here, such as a colorless Nidoking ($454), a colorless Kingdra ($395) and a gorgeously illustrated Tyranitar ($250). Still though, these cards pale in comparison to the cards featured in the TCG’s most valuable set.
1. Skyridge
Average Price per Card: $68.92
More than doubling up the average price per card of Aquapolis is the ultra-scarce and highly desirable Skyridge set. The chase card, of course, is Charizard, as this is the only rendition of the card that is colorless – and it is far and away the most valuable Charizard card of all time.
Elsewhere reverse holofoils and holofoils jockey for position in terms of value, with notable cards such as holofoil Alakazam ($498), a colorless holofoil Golem ($460), reverse holofoil Arcanine ($473) and colorless holofoil Ho-oh ($360) all delivering staggering price points for collectors.
If you were one of the lucky few who collected this set when it released in May 2003, you could likely retire upon selling just a few of these cards – especially if they get graded highly by a professional grading service.