Gotta Catch 'Em All...

As an Official Pokemon Stockist, Flux stocks great range of Pokemon Cards & Collectables and the best place to Catch 'Em All!

Whether you’re a nostalgic fan who kept your childhood binder tucked away, or a serious collector hunting investment-grade TCG cards, 2025 was a wild time for Pokémon card collecting. Some of the earliest cards, once traded at school, now fetch six- and even seven-figure sums. In this guide, we walk through the 10 rarest Pokémon cards in existence as of 2025/2026, exploring what makes them so special, and why they remain the holy grails for collectors worldwide.

1. Pikachu Illustrator (1998) - the holy grail

Arguably the single most famous Pokémon card. Awarded to winners of an illustration contest in Japan, only a very small number exist (estimates vary) and one PSA-graded high-grade copy has sold for multi-million-dollar sums. It tops most “rarest” lists because of extreme scarcity, historic importance and record auction results.

2. Base Set 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard (1999) - the icon

The Base Set Charizard (1st Edition, shadowless holographic) is the poster child of rare vintage cards. Not that many survived in gem condition because kids played with them,  so high-grade examples sell for five- and sometimes six-figure prices. It’s rare because of condition scarcity and huge collector demand.

3. Kangaskhan - Family Event / Parent & Child trophy (1998)

A tournament trophy from a 1998 Japanese family event; only a handful were given out, and PSA-graded GEM-MT copies have reached very significant prices. These event trophies are prized because they were exclusive, not sold in shops.

4. Tropical Mega Battle / “Tropical Wind” promos (1999)

Cards awarded at Tropical Mega Battle (late-90s international tournaments, especially participation/trophy Tropical Wind examples, are extremely scarce outside Japan and fetch top prices when one appears. They’re tournament memorabilia with very low print numbers.

5. Super Secret / No. 1 Trainer trophy cards (various late-90s events)

“No. 1 Trainer” / Super Secret Battle trophies were given to top competitors at elite events; only very few copies exist of some runs. They’re sought after for rarity and tournament provenance.

6. Trophy Pikachu (No. 1 / No. 2 / No. 3) - 1997-1998 tournament trophies

Early-era Trophy Pikachu promos (the original tournament trophies) have become legendary, a No.3 example, for example, drove big sums at auction. These are historically important (first competitive events) and very scarce.

7. Tsunekazu Ishihara GX promo (Ishihara GX, 2017) - signed/employee promos

Made for The Pokémon Company’s internal celebrations (the president’s 60th birthday), only a tiny number went to staff. Some were signed and signed graded copies have achieved huge auction prices. A modern example of how scarcity + provenance = value.

8. Prerelease / factory-error Raichu (English 1999 “Prerelese” error)

A factory/test-print anomaly that wasn’t supposed to exist: a small number of Base Set Raichu cards were marked “Prerelese” (misspelled) or otherwise issued as tests. When genuine graded examples surface they command six-figure prices, proof that errors and one-offs are incredibly valuable. (Recent high-profile sales in 2025 pushed this into “must-watch” territory.)

9. Umbreon Gold Star / other Player’s Club Gold Star promos

Gold Star promos (Japanese Player’s Club/points-reward cards like Umbreon) had tiny print runs and were only available to dedicated fans. High-grade examples, especially with special “PLAY” or points stamps, are extremely rare and collectible.

10. Shining / “Holo” rarities (e.g., Shining Charizard - Neo Destiny era)

Shining Charizard and similar 'Shinies' from Neo sets are very desirable in mint condition and comparatively scarce. They’re not single-digit production like trophies, but the combination of rarity, nostalgia and strong demand places certain shining cards among the top prized vintage pieces.