Introduction
This article lists the most valuable and collectible Pikachu Pokemon cards in order of most affordable to most valuable. In other words, the rarest to most available. Because there are hundreds of Pikachu cards, it is impossible to list them all, so I chose the best ones. Comment below and let me know which Pikachu Pokemon card you think should be on the list. Remember, collect what you like and buy what you can afford.
If you have Pokemon cards and want to submit them to PSA, check out this article on how to grade Pokemon cards.
2003 Pokemon Skyridge
Pikachu reverse foil #84
PSA 10 sold for $900
1997 Pocket Monsters
Pikachu Carddass prism #025
PSA 10 sold for $1,230
Released in 1996 and 1997 by Bandai, Carddass cards were obtainable from vending machines approximately one month before the Pokemon Trading Card Game release in Japan. Available for 20 yen each, the purchaser would randomly receive one card from the machine, with the prism cards being the most coveted and valuable. This PSA 10 example was sold at auction by PWCC Auctions in April 2022 for $1,500.
2018 Pokemon Japanese SM Promo
Munch: A Retrospective Scream Pikachu #288
PSA 10 sold for $1,775
As part of a promotion with the Tokyo Art Museum to help promote the artwork of Edvard Munch, The Pokemon Co. gave out the Scream promo cards while Munch’s, The Scream was in Japan for the first time. The Scream Pikachu was difficult to obtain because it was only given out to museum visitors during Pokemon Week and was limited to one per visitor.
This card features some of the best artworks for a modern Pokemon and is sure to be a fantastic addition to any Pokemon collection in the short and long term.
1996 Japanese Bandai
Carddass Vending Pikachu #25
PSA 10 sold for $2,400
Released in 1996 by Bandai, Carddass cards were obtainable from vending machines costing twenty yen each. The buyer would randomly receive one card from the machine, with the prism cards being the most coveted and valuable. Featured here is the first Pikachu card in print and illustrated by Ken Sugimori; extremely difficult to grade due to how Bandai distributed them from the vending machines along with their age and popularity, this is one of the oldest and rarest Pikachu cards in this condition in existence.
1997 Japanese MT. Fuji Stamp Rally
Surfing Pikachu #25
PSA 10 sold for $2,550
2016 Pokemon Japanese XY Promo
Battle Festa Holo Pikachu
PSA 10 sold for $3,000
Illustrated by famed Base Set Charizard and Pikachu artist Mitsuhiro Arita, this uniquely designed Pikachu depicts the famous Electric Mouse Pokemon joyfully frolicking through the forest, encapsulating the joy that the Pokemon mascot has brought to hundreds of millions of fans worldwide. Furthermore, with an entirely holographic cardstock with twinkling stars of varying sizes, this is simply one of the most dazzling Pikachu cards ever and a perfect piece of Pokemon’s 20th anniversary to add to your collection.
The Pokemon Co. gave this gorgeous Pikachu card to participants of the 20th Anniversary Fest events held in Japan in 2016. To receive one, you had to accumulate 12 Play Points; however, participants were given two points for participating and additional bonus points for various criteria, so it wasn’t too diificult.
2001 Japanese Promo
Natta Wake Vol. 6 Birthday Pikachu #25
PSA 10 sold for $3,480
Given out as a promotional card in the 6th volume of Natta Wake, this Birthday Pikachu illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno was exclusively released in Japan, unlike the other Birthday Pikachu artwork he illustrated that had a much wider distribution and multiple reprints. One of only 72 PSA 10 copies currently graded, the unique artwork combined with the market’s scarcity of gem mint copies make the Natta Wake Birthday Pikachu an instant classic.
2000 Topps Chrome
Tekno Pikachu #25
PSA 10 sold for $3,500
The 2000 Topps Chrome Pokemon set has three parallels, including Tekno, Sparkle, and Spectra, with Tekno being the rarest. PSA has graded 17 of Pikachu’s Tekno parallels, with six grading gem mint 10, seven mint 9, and the remaining PSA 8 or less. So, to say these are rare is an understatement. PWCC Auctions sold the last PSA 10 example in August 2021 at the buy-it-now price of $3,500.
2000 Topps Chrome
Sparkle Pikachu #25
PSA 10 sold for $3,500
The second rarest parallel in the Topps Chrome Pokemon T.V. set is the Sparkle. Similar to the Tekno parallel, Sparkle parallels are challenging to find. PSA graded 24 of the Pikachu Sparkle, with seven grading gem mint 10, nine mint 9, and the remaining PSA 8 or less. Because they are so rare, they sell for a lot when put up for auction. The most recent PSA 10 example was sold at the buy-it-now price of $3,500 by PWCC Auctions.
2001 Pokemon Promo
Black Star Birthday Pikachu #24
PSA 10 sold for $4,500
1999 Pokemon 1st edition
Red Cheeks Pikachu holo #58
PSA 10 sold for $4,550
1999 Pokemon 1st edition
Yellow Cheeks Pikachu holo #58
PSA 10 sold for $1,825
2016 Pokemon Japanese XY Promo
Mega Charizard x Poncho Pikachu #207
PSA 10 sold for $5,400
2016 Pokemon Japanese XY Promo
Mega Charizard x Poncho Pikachu #208
PSA 10 sold for $2,700
2016 Pokemon Japanese XY Promo
Special Box Mario Pikachu #294
PSA 10 sold for $3,650
2016 Pokemon Japanese XY Promo
Special Box Mario Pikachu #296
PSA 10 sold for $2,834
2016 Pokemon Japanese XY Promo
20th Anniversary Festa Holo Pikachu #279
PSA 10 sold for $5,500
2006 Pokemon EX Holon Phantoms
Pikachu Gold Star holo #104
PSA 10 sold for $6,600
2002 Pokemon Legendary Collection
Pikachu reverse foil #86
PSA 10 sold for $6,900
2015 Pokemon Art Competition
Lily Chan Pikachu
PSA 10 sold for $11,000
2015 Pokemon Art Competition
Rhivern Pikachu
PSA 10 sold for $10,800
Following the success of the 2014 Japanese Art Academy competition, the Pokemon company extended it to both the North American and Oceania/Europe regions in early 2015. Allowing artists to design a card around the premise of either a Cosplay Pikachu or their favorite Pokemon, this Rhivern Pikachu was one of the winners for the Oceania/Europe region and was designed by artist Rhivern.
With only 100 copies awarded to the original artists, their creators dictate the entire supply, making them some of the rarest and most collectible Pokemon cards in modern history.
2015 Pokemon Art Competition
Meli Pikachu
PSA 10 sold for $11,000
After the success of the 2014 Japanese Art Academy competition, the Pokemon company extended it to both the North American and Oceania/Europe regions in early 2015. Allowing artists to design a card around the premise of either a Cosplay Pikachu or their favorite Pokemon.
This Meli Pikachu was one of the winners for the Oceania/Europe region. Featuring a tremendously cute illustration of Pikachu dressed up as a baker plating off some cupcakes, the comically small size of the hat combined with Pikachu’s expression makes your heart melt like delicate French pastries would in your mouth.
1995 Pokemon Topsun
Pikachu holofoil #25
PSA 10 sold for $15,005
2015 XY Promo Event
Battle Fest Pikachu #175
PSA 10 sold for $15,600
Given out to participants of the four different 2015 Battle Festas held in Japan, this fully holographic promotional card features both mega evolutions of Mewtwo, Zoroark BREAK, Hoopa, and Pikachu on its gorgeous cardstock. This illustration by 5ban Graphics truly utilizes the holographic pattern of the card to full effect, making the entire card shine like a gemstone in the light.
To determine the event holo from the regular XY set, there is a maroon-colored event stamp at the bottom right of the card, directly on Mewtwo’s shoulder. The most recent PSA 10 example was sold at auction in May 2022 by PWCC Auctions for $15,600.
2005 Spring Battle Road
Pikachu Victory Ring Trophy Card
PSA 10 sold for $15,600
A re-design of the trophy card given out for 2003 & 2004, the one for 2005 & 2006, was designed by Takumi Akabane exclusively for these tournaments and showcases Pikachu with the Victory Ring from the earlier version of the card. Home to a simply stunning holographic design that seemingly pops off the cardstock, this beautiful piece was only awarded to the top three competitors in each age bracket for these regional tournaments. Only 27 of these trophy cards have ever been graded by PSA, with this copy being one of only 19 to receive their coveted PSA 10 Gem Mint designation.
1998 Pokemon Trophy Card
Pikachu Bronze 3rd-2nd Tournament #3
PSA 9 sold for $192,000
Only awarded to the third-place winners in the regional qualifiers for the Lizardon Mega Battle in Japan in late 1997 & early 1998, the Bronze Trophy Pikachu has approximately 15 copies known to have been given to the winners. Across the six different regional qualifiers, nine junior league and six senior league copies were awarded, with the cards inside an acrylic plaque denoting which tournament they won.
The Lizardon Mega Battle championships are the first official national championships for Japan, with over 20,000 people in attendance, where the winners of the Junior and Senior League tournaments received trophies instead of prize cards like the regional qualifiers. As a result, these regional Trophy Pikachu cards have been coveted by card collectors for their historical importance and a truly museum-quality investment piece.
Illustrated by legendary Base Set Charizard artist Mitsuhiro Arita, this card’s artistic attention to detail can not be understated. Featuring the original design of the “chubby” Pikachu hoisting a bronze trophy proud as a peacock with a holographic unparalleled in its’ beauty, these illustrations are where the modern Trophy Pikachu cards drew inspiration from in their design.
One of the most desirable and historically significant cards ever created, and ranking among the Pikachu Illustrator for its aesthetic and historical value, this Bronze Trophy Pikachu comes with our highest recommendation. The most recent PSA 9 example was sold at auction by PWCC Auctions in July 2022 for s staggering $192,000.
1998 Pokemon Japanese
Pikachu Illustrator holo
PSA 8 sold for $192,000
Featuring the elusive double star rarity found only in the rarest and most iconic Japanese Pokemon cards is the Illustrator Pikachu holo. The Illustrator Pikachu consistently ranks atop the upper echelons of Pokemon collecting and is the hobby’s holy grail card. Moreover, no other Pokemon card combines rarity, unique artwork, story, history, and singularity more than the Illustrator Pikachu holo.
Illustrated by artist Atsuko Nishida, the original character designer of Pikachu for the Game Boy Games, the Pikachu Illustrator was initially given to first and second-place winners of a CoroCoro Comic drawing contest in January 1998, awarding 23 copies of the card. Subsequent art contests requiring participants to design Pokemon cards would further award another 16 copies, bringing the number of copies of this card officially released to 39.
Tying the card’s design to the art contest, Pikachu is depicted gleefully illustrating Charmander and Mew, simultaneously showcasing the fun they wanted the contest participants to have while breathing life into the backstory of the card itself. Drawing comparisons to the Honus Wagner of Pokemon cards, this is one of the hobby’s most recognizable and desired cards, consistently outpacing even the base set 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard in value.
This PSA 8 example was sold at auction by Goldin Auctions in October 2022 for $400,000.
Conclusion
This article lists the most valuable and rare Pikachu Pokemon cards to collect. The list shows that the most valuable Pikachu cards are the Trophy cards, promo cards, and rare event cards. The most valuable Pikachu card is the 1998 Illustrator trophy card, which sells for over $1,000,000 when in gem mint condition. When in PSA 8 condition, the value of the Illustrator Pikachu card is roughly $400,000. There are plenty of Pikachu cards to collect and invest in, and I hope this list helps you on your journey. Remember to collect what you like and spend what you can afford. Cheers and happy collecting!
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From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
