There are thousands of beautiful cards in thePokemon TCGthat stand out as obviously more valuable based on their impressive or iconic artwork. However, for every expensive card with remarkable artwork, there’s another that looks unsuspecting but costs just as much.
Promo cards are often some of the most likely choices for cards that might not wow you with their visual appeal, but actually boast high price tags due to their rarity or exclusivity. However, you’ll also be surprised to see that some seemingly common-looking vintage cards are in high demand. Can you guess whichunusual Secret Rare rises above its appearanceto make the list?
Cards are ordered according to theirTCGplayermarket price and are subject to change over time. Any cards without a market price are not included.
8Mudkip: Kids WB Promos (Promo) – $300.00
Kids Love Mudkip
One look at this card might not knock your socks off, but you’ll jump out of your seat when you see the massive price tag sitting beside it. I promise I didn’t add an extra zero, and neither did the folks at TCGplayer, as this Mudkip card genuinely earns the massive valuation.
This rare Kids WB is incredibly rare, as it was distributed as part of the Pokemon Card Creator contest in early 2004, as Grand Prize and First Place winners each received an assortment of Card Creator packs, which could randomly contain one of five cards, like this incredibly valuable Mudkip.
7Pikachu 60/106 (SDCC 2005): Miscellaneous Cards & Products (Promo) – $300.00
A Comic Con Curiosity
Pikachu pops up alongside Mudkip as another incredibly valuable promo card that doesn’t necessarily pass the eye test. This card looks like it could be a random common card, but a closer look at the bottom right corner of the artwork will reveal the ‘San Diego Comic Con’ logo, indicating its status as an exclusively distributed promo card.
This card was distributed to attendees of the event between July 15-17, 2005, and shares the same artwork as the Pikachu card from EX Emerald. The only difference from that card is the stamp, so inspect copies carefully to check for the difference.
6Gardevoir: Dark Explorers (Secret Rare) – $335.20
More Than A Rare
The Gardevoir from Dark Explorers features a beautiful shiny version of this Fairy and Psychic-type Pokemon, although the artwork and card itself don’t really stand out as more than a standard Rare. However, this Secret Rare shiny Pokemon has a surprise up its sleeve to the tune of a price tag above $330.
A closer look at the card might tip you off to its special status, but many cards from this era share similar designs and are far from valuable or distinct, so this one is a bit of a surprise unless you’re familiar with it.
5Gyarados XY60: XY Promos (Staff Promo) – $360.55
Hard To Find
Gyarados is probably the coolest-looking of these average cards, and the Ancient Origins stamp alongside the Staff distinction gives you a clue that this card is unusual. However, given how typically artwork like this appeared during the XY era, you’d be forgiven for mistaking this card for a standard $20 full art, or cheaper.
However, if you’re well-versed in the desirability of Staff promo cards, then the stamps were likely enough to betray this card’s true value, which hovers above the $350 mark. Despite this massive value, there are even higher prices to come.
4Treecko (POP Tournament): Nintendo Promos (Promo) – $417.30
A Dwindling Promo Population
Treecko stands out as themost valuable Nintendo Promo card,but this card keeps a very low profile for something that costs over $400. Treecko’s holo is beautiful, but the devil is in the details, as the stamp on the bottom right is the key factor that indicates this card’s status as a Nintendo promo.
These cards boast immense rarity and thus desirability, but none can surpass Treecko, which strikes a rather tame pose, with a blank expression that contrasts with how you might look when you see this card’s price.
3Dragonair: First Edition Base Set (Rare) – $516.63
Back To The Beginning
If you’re familiar with the First Edition Base Set totem pole, you’re probably shocked to see this Dragonair rare standing out at an incredibly high market price. However, don’t be fooled into thinking your first edition Rare Dragonair is a $500 card. It’s important to point out that a near-mint (NM) copy sold for $950, completely rocketing the market price.
While the sale might be legitimate and paid for a card that someone believes could receive a high grade, it should be considered an outlier until more sales continue in a similar range. For now, take this card’s price tag with a grain of salt until you see more sales.
2Pokemon Center: WoTC Promos (Promo) – $800.95
A Piece Of History
This Pokemon Center promo stands tall as perhaps one of the most legendary ever made, but a glance at it wouldn’t tell you the whole story. Thisvaluable WoTC promo cardwas distributed at the grand opening of the Pokemon Center in New York, which lasted under five years before closing down.
Despite the Pokemon Center’s short lifespan, this card lives on as its legacy, with a Lucky Stadium companion card hovering around a similar value.
Since both cards share similar value and were distributed for the same event, this one was chosen as the less visually vibrant option, making it more average-looking.
1Voltorb: Professor Program Promos (Promo) – $2,000.00
Excuse Me, Professor
The Professor Program is home to a valuable collection of cards,led by this Voltorb, which shares the same artwork as the standard common version. This particular card soared to unprecedented heights in late 2024 and has maintained its price tag since, with graded copies eclipsing $5,000.
As a fairly new inclusion in the Pokemon TCG, this subset of cards has a lot of time to make its mark, and might garner more hype or fall out of favor as a ‘flavor of the month’ kind of card. For now, this card easily stands out as the most valuable Pokemon TCG card that looks average.
