The 10 Most Graded Pokemon Cards Of All Time.. Most Liquid As Well
- Patrice Journ
- Nov 12, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
PSA reigns supreme as the undisputed leader in Pokémon TCG grading, handling the highest volume of slabs for both vintage and modern cards. Looking at the aggregated data from Gemrate, these graded collectibles remain among the most liquid assets for investors and resellers, with PSA’s reputation as the marketability standard cementing its dominance—but CGC is gaining tremendous traction this year, and should definitely be considered as they’re currently trading 30% below PSA 10 prices, offering rare value in a market where gem mint premiums dominate.
Pro Tip: For a more affordable entry, prioritize CGC 10-graded or Pristine copies of cards. While PSA slabs still command higher prices, CGC is rapidly closing the gap—boasting the fastest growth among grading companies this year—and gaining significant trust and momentum in the TCG market. Gem rate percentages (e.g., PSA/CGC 10 grades) are crucial for savvy collectors. Cards below with 50%+ gem rates—graded hundreds of thousands of times—serve as benchmarks: prioritize raw copies in pristine condition, grade them yourself to slash costs, and maximize long-term ROI. If you’re budget-conscious, target PSA 9-graded cards—their lower cost reflects PSA’s scrutinized grading consistency. However, the market increasingly prioritizes PSA 10s (or rival slabs like CGC Pristine 10) for premium value, collectors have started to see top-tier grades as a whole, including 9s, to hold long-term appeal.
Averaged prices below are based only on PSA10 sales sourced from eBay, as of this article’s publication.
1/ 2025 POKEMON JAPANESE M-P PROMO MCDONALD'S #020 PIKACHU
Total graded: 105,000 Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 90% Average price: $66
Promotional Pikachu cards, especially Japanese-exclusive releases, have consistently sparked frenzies due to their limited, high-volume production runs.
The McDonald’s collaboration instantly supercharged the card’s popularity, blending nostalgia with fast-food fandom. The audacious artwork of Pikachu clutching a McDonald’s meal—complete with fries and a drink—became an instant cultural icon, cementing these cards as chase-worthy grails.
Not only is this a region-exclusive promo, but its limited 3.5-million print run sparked a collecting frenzy—McDonald’s ended the campaign early after stores were overwhelmed by families scrambling to claim meal packs. All cards vanished in just 48 hours, cementing its status as a modern TCG legend.
2/ 2023 POKEMON SVP EN-SV BLACK STAR PROMO # 085 PIKACHU WITH GREY FELT HAT
Total graded: 96,811
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 46%
Average price: $1,575
This card's price went up 5 times since its release, and was released in 2023 as part of a limited and highly popular collaboration between The Pokémon Company and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The card's artwork is a direct homage to Vincent van Gogh's 1887 Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat.
3/ 1999 POKEMON GAME # 4 CHARIZARD-HOLO
Total graded: 88,547
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 1%
Average price: Non-available
This card’s value has rebounded to its COVID-era peak, underscoring its enduring demand. With only 490 PSA 10 Gem Mint copies graded and scarce public sales data (see eBay listings above), its high-grade variants are ultra-competitive. For budget collectors, PSA 4-5 copies hover around $300—a steal compared to its 1st Edition Holo sibling (distinguished by the "1st print" logo).
Pro Tip: Attending a trading card show with illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita? Prioritize signatures paired with a hand-drawn Charizard (black/red ink). While his kanji autographs are trendy, original artwork quadruples value—auction houses Goldin & Heritage clamor for these rarities.
4/ 2020 POKEMON SWSH BLACK STAR PROMO # 050 CHARIZARD V
Total graded: 85,031
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 57% Average price: $75
The 2020 Pokémon Sword & Shield Black Star Promo Charizard V (SWSH050) is a highly popular and significant collectible card, primarily known as a guaranteed inclusion in the much-anticipated Champion's Path Elite Trainer Box (ETB), a special set released in September 2020.
It remains an affordable yet exclusive promo with steady liquidity—ideal for collectors balancing rarity and budget.
Pro Tip: With a 57% gem mint rate (PSA/CGC 10), prioritize pack sealed raw copies in pristine condition (often found for ~$10). Grading these yourself slashes costs versus buying pre-graded slabs, maximizing long-term ROI.
5/ 2023 POKEMON MEW EN-151 SPECIAL ILLUSTRATION RARE # 199 CHARIZARD EX
Total graded: 79,516
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 30%
Average price: $1,100
The story of the 2023 Pokémon Mew EN-151 Special Illustration Rare #199 Charizard ex card lies in its connecting artwork with the other two Pokémon in its evolutionary line: Charmander and Charmeleon, all illustrated by Miki Kudo.
This artistic choice makes the three cards a highly sought-after collectible set, as they tell a complete story from the depths of a cavern to the heights of the Kanto sky, a love letter to the nostalgia of the original generation 1 Pokémon. The card itself is the centerpiece and most valuable pull of the Scarlet & Violet 151 set due to its popularity and the artistry behind the design.
Pro Tip: With a 30% gem mint rate (PSA/CGC 10), buying raw cards (~$300) is risky when PSA 9s sell for the same price. Instead, target CGC 10 slabs—they trade at ~$600 (half the cost of PSA 10s) and are severely undervalued as CGC gains market trust.
The 2025 Mega Evolution Set’s iconic Charizard has taken the spotlight as we write this article, making now a good time to invest if you keep watching in the lows. As a centerpiece of Pokémon TCG’s most hyped modern era, its long-term appeal is undeniable—grab one before the next surge.
6/ 2000 POKEMON GAME MOVIE POKEMON 2000 MOVIE ANCIENT MEW
Total graded: 64,165
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 6%
Average price: $1,400
Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One is the second film in the Pokémon franchise, released in Japanese theaters on July 17, 1999, and in the United States on July 21, 2000. A key part of its history is the associated "Ancient Mew" promotional trading card, distributed to audiences during its theatrical run.
The card's most distinctive feature is its unreadable text, written in a mix of medieval Anglo-Saxon, Runic, and hieroglyphic-style symbols. It acts as a cipher for the Latin alphabet, which players could decode at official Pokémon Leagues or on the official website. The text reveals Mew's name, HP, and attack details, and the unique artwork has deep symbolic meaning related to birth, death, enthronement, and succession.
Pro Tip: Since August 2025, PSA 10 prices spiked 30% due to scarcity—but PSA 9s hover around $150 (with deals as low as $130), making them the smartest buy currently. For higher-grade seekers, CGC Pristine 10s trade near PSA 9 prices—a stealth value play as CGC’s market credibility grows.
7/ 2022 POKEMON JAPANESE SV PROMO SCARLET & VIOLET PRE-ORDER # 001 PIKACHU
Total graded: 61,993
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 85%
Average price: $75
The #001/SV-P Pikachu promo card was a limited-edition early purchase bonus for the Japanese release of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video games for the Nintendo Switch. The card features full artwork of Pikachu alongside the three first partner Pokémon from the Paldea region: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
Pro Tip: Stay patient—with such high gem mint rates (PSA/CGC 10s), listings periodically dip to ~$60. You can also target raw copies in pristine condition to grade yourself and maximize value!
8/ 2024 POKEMON JPN SV8A-TERASTAL FEST EX SPECIAL ART RARE # 217 UMBREON EX
Total graded: 60,822
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 88%
Average price: $500
The card is part of the high-class special Japanese set SV8a: Terastal Festival EX, which was the final Japanese set release of 2024 for the Scarlet & Violet era.
It features unique, full-card artwork that is highly sought after by collectors. The artwork for this specific card was illustrated by 5ban Graphics. It is one of the "chase" cards of the set.
Pro Tip: Another contender for grading if you want to cut cost (raws sell around $300).
10/ 2019 Pokemon SM Black Star Promo SM120 Full Art Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno GX
Total graded: 54,387
Gem Rate Percent (Average of 10's): 59%
Average price: $300
The SM210 card was released in 2019 as a special promotional card tied to the Hidden Fates expansion. Unlike cards found in regular booster packs, promo cards are typically distributed through specific products or events. The SM210 card was notably included in the Hidden Fates Elite Trainer Box.
Pro Tip: The card’s value has skyrocketed, with raw copies surging from $20 to $100+—a meteoric 400% gain. However, this peak likely signals a speculative bubble; expect a market correction in the coming months as hype cools and supply catches up.
If chasing this card, prioritize PSA 9/CGC 10 slabs (currently undervalued vs. raw) or wait for the inevitable post-boom dip to buy low.
Conclusion:
Slab-Z’s Vintage Obsession: While modern cards ride the grading boom (thanks to PSA’s dominance), nothing rivals the 1999 Base Set Charizard—the undisputed king of Pokémon TCG nostalgia.
2025’s Junk Slab Surge: This year smashed records for low-grade submissions amid another Pokémon frenzy. Yet even “junk” slabs fuel the market’s unmatched liquidity—cash out fast, but tread carefully.
Collector Strategy:
Cautious Buyers: Focus on time-tested staples like Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat (averaged 132% annual growth since release) or newer hits below $60—the current sweet spot for risk-averse budgets.
High-Rollers: Target 1999 Charizard, 2000 Mew Movie Promo, and the 2023 Mew EN-151 Special Illustration Rare Charizard ex (undervalued due to its sub-30% gem rate).
Craving more pack-cracking wisdom? Dive into our TCG series for pro tips, meta breakdowns, and hidden gem alerts!
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