Thinking back on your childhoodPokemon TCGcollections can inspire immense joy, especially if you were smart enough to keep all of your cards and store them properly to maintain their good condition. However, if you, like many others, no longer own your childhood cards thanks to someone throwing them all away, then you might shudder at seeing some of these cards.
While they weren’t strictly common cards, anyone who enjoyed Pokemon in the late 90s or early 2000s probably had at least one of these valuable Wizards of the Coast (WoTC) era promo cards. Wizards of the Coast no longer prints Pokemon cards, so these rare promo cards are the last of their kind.
Cards are ordered according to theirTCGplayermarket price, which is subject to change. Only cards with a market price are included; thus, any with no market price or recent sales do not appear.
8Charizard (WoTC Legendary Collection): Deck Exclusives (Rare) – $86.33
A Legend Returns
Charizard finds itself in an extremely unusual spot, as it doesn’t make the top spots among the most valuable WoTC promo cards, despite constantly snatching titles away from deserving contenders. If you’re a Charizard hater, then this is as close as you’re ever going to get to a victory, so enjoy it.
If you prefer to admireCharizard’s laundry list of valuable cards,this Legendary Collection promo unfortunately won’t be making the list, despite boasting an iconic artwork.
This same artwork was reprinted from the original Base Set, which is why you might recognize it.
7Snorlax: WoTC Promo (Promo) – $111.44
Losing Sleep
It’s no secret that Snorlax is always sleeping, and has been ever since we came across this giant obstacle in Kanto. This hysterical promo card calls attention to that fact and pays homage to Snorlax’s sleepy personality with a giant ‘Z’ behind it, followed by several smaller ones, indicating its restful slumber.
Aside from Snorlax, Eevee also earns a spot on this card and enjoys a relaxing nap with its fellow Normal-type Pokemon.
This card is referenced in the Sun & Moon era, as you’ll see another promo version there among some of themost underrated Tag Team cards.
6Venusaur: WoTC Promo (Promo) – $120.62
Back To 1999
Venusaur might not earn much attention when featured alongside its fellow starter evolutions, but this depiction of the Pokemon is particularly appealing due to its rare appearance and reference to its associated Game Boy game.
This Venusaur design was used as a sprite for the original video game, and appeared in the official guidebook for the Pokemon TCG Game Boy Color game in 1999.
Venusaur might not be able to claim many victories over Charizard, but this is a special case, and Venusaur’s artwork is deservedly appreciated to the tune of a market price well above $100.
5Blank’s Pikachu: WoTC Promo (Promo) – $133.20
It’s All Yours
You’ve likely seen this blank Pikachu card before, with its name left intentionally open for you to fill in your own, claiming it as your Pikachu (which is also here to offer you a delicious birthday cake). Also known as the Happy Birthday Pikachu, this card was originally intended to be filled out and returned to Wizards of the Coast as part of their Create-a-Card campaign.
As you might expect, the campaign invited you to create your own personalized Pikachu card by filling in your name, mailing the card back, and receiving a printed version for your collection.
4Dark Charmeleon (W Stamped): WoTC Promo (Promo) – $210.00
Take The W
This is probably the weirdest instance of a promo distribution on this list, as Dark Charmeleon (known as Bad Lizardo in Japanese) was distributed as part of a Kraft Foods giveaway in Australia.
If you may find a stranger, more specific circumstance for a giveaway, we’d really love to know about it.
Aside from the bizarre way of acquiring this card, its price tag is no joke, sitting at over $200 for a raw copy, with those in top quality condition capable of commanding even more when graded.
3Clefable (Prerelease): WoTC Promo (Promo) – $298.00
A Step Ahead
Clefable makes massive waves as one ofthe most valuable prerelease promo cardsever distributed, and was associated with the Jungle set. If you don’t know, you may tell what set a card is from by looking at the symbol at the bottom right side of the card art (not the bottom right near the yellow border, the symbol to the right of the Pokemon’s height and weight).
Aside from its clear appeal as a rare card only distributed during the hype leading up to the release of this now-iconic set, one look at Clefable’s goofy expression will send you.
2Lucky Stadium: WoTC Promo (Promo) – $625.81
Stacking The Deck
Lucky doesn’t begin to describe your fortune if you happen to still own this rare WoTC promo, as Lucky Stadium has quite an interesting story. This card was also printed in Japanese, and a non-promo was included in Neo Destiny. Later, the card was released as a Japanese promo in the Intro Pack Neo.
Lucky Stadium’s only English promotional release, the one pictured, was distributed to coincide with the opening of the New York Pokemon Center location in 2001. Unfortunately, that store closed before it could reach its fifth anniversary, but its legacy lives on through this incredibly valuable card.
1Pokemon Center: WoTC Promo (Promo) – $800.95
Where It All Began
From one promo that celebrated the opening of a Pokemon Center, to the Pokemon Center itself, this immensely valuable WoTC promo claims the crown as the most expensive ever made. It’s a companion card to the Lucky Stadium promo, as both were distributed at New York’s now-closed Pokemon Center location back in 2001.
While the Lucky Stadium sets a nearly impossible standard to reach, this simple scene inside a Pokemon Center serves as the perfect promo card for a grand opening. While the location’s lifespan was short, your money better be long if you want to buy this card.
