Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration is packed with valuable cards, from nostalgic Classic Collection reprints to brand-new Special Illustration Rares and the extraordinarily scarce RGB Mew Secret Rares. With the set now in collectors’ hands, these are the 15 most valuable 30th Celebration cards based on current market prices.
The list includes cards from both the main 30th Celebration set and its Classic Collection, with prices ranging from around $50 to several thousand dollars for the release’s biggest grail. Of course, market price only tells part of the story, as plenty of the most wanted cards from 30th Celebration are desirable for reasons beyond pure secondary-market value.
Market prices are sourced from TCGplayer where available, with PriceCharting used for cards without a reliable TCGplayer market price. For collectors still hunting for sealed product, check out where to buy Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration.
15
Pikachu & Zekrom GX (Team Up) – Classic Collection, 33/181
Market Price: $48.95
The 30th Celebration Classic Collection makes up a full third of this list, as five of the 15 entries here hail from reprints of some of the most famous Pokémon cards from across the game’s existence.
First up is the Pikachu & Zekrom GX Tag Team card, which was first printed in 2019’s Team Up expansion and represented one of the first instances of the Tag Team mechanic, which made for some powerful (and eminently collectible) cards over the years.
14
Jirachi ex – Special Illustration Rare, 155/128
Market Price: $70.67
30th Celebration is replete with a plethora of top-flight SIRs, the first of which is illustrated to perfection by full-art card master AKIRA EGAWA – the artist responsible for the stunning illustrations of the God Pokémon from Crown Zenith’s Galarian Gallery, as well as the more recent SIR rendition of Mega Darkrai ex (aka the biggest chase card from Pitch Black).
13
Sylveon ex – Special Illustration Rare, 153/128
Market Price: $72.62
Eeveelutions are always a hot ticket on the secondary market for Pokémon card collectors, and their valuations have skyrocketed in recent years thanks in part to eminently desirable sets such as Evolving Skies and Prismatic Evolutions.
30th Celebration gets in on that fun with a Sylveon ex SIR illustrated by artist You Iribi with all the requisite soft pinks and floral designs one would expect for Eevee’s Fairy-type evolution. This isn’t Iribi’s first rodeo when it comes to full-art Eeveelution cards, as they previously produced the Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery Flareon as well as the highly sought-after Leafeon V Alternate Art card from Evolving Skies.
12
Mewtwo ex – Futuristic Rare, 157/128
Market Price: $74.25
The newest rarity introduced by The Pokémon Company is well represented here, as both Mew and its clone Mewtwo have valuable Futuristic Rare cards in 30th Celebration. While Mew boasts the more valuable card, roughly $75 is still rock-solid… though it doesn’t quite compare to the SIR version’s valuation below.
11
Mewtwo ex – Special Illustration Rare, 151/128
Market Price: $85.38
With a stunning Art Deco-style illustration courtesy of Yano Keiji, it’s no surprise that this is the most valuable Mewtwo card in the set at over $85. Beyond that, this card is notable for being Keiji’s 11th illustration. All of them, surprisingly, are full-art cards (an exceedingly rare occurrence across the game’s history).
10
Pikachu ex – Special Illustration Rare, 149/128
Market Price: $91.24
Seeing as there is a complete set of 30 “Pikachu Rares” in 30th Celebration (one for each year – get it?), you just knew TPCi wouldn’t be able to resist cramming even more Pikas into this release beyond those cards.
Fittingly, Pikachu gets not one, but two SIR renditions – one set in the daytime, and one at night. The daytime rendition is the less valuable option, though its artwork is arguably more beautiful: it’s more colorful and extremely detailed. A beautiful full-art, even if the market currently prefers its nighttime counterpart.
9
Gengar (Triumphant) – Classic Collection, 94/102
Market Price: $97.25
This Gengar Prime re-release was always going to be a pricey one to obtain on the secondary market, as Gastly’s final evolution has long been a fan-favorite thanks to its place among Kanto’s original 151 and its enduring status as a competitive powerhouse in the video games.
The Prime series of cards debuted in the HeartGold and SoulSilver era of the TCG and have not been seen since, so this reprint is sorely needed by Gengar master-setters and 30th Celebration completionists alike.
8
Magikarp (Paldea Evolved Illustration Rare) – Classic Collection, 203/193
Market Price: $102.05
The newest Classic Collection reprint in 30th Celebration is this staggering work of art that was first printed fairly recently in 2023’s Paldea Evolved expansion.
This stunning Magikarp IR’s value exploded over the past year or so, and it’s easy to see why, as its brilliant black-and-white background, chiaroscuro lighting, and looming Gyarados in the distance combine to make it an all-time modern PTCG classic.
7
Mew ex – Futuristic Rare, 158/128
Market Price: $110.96
The second and final pricey Futuristic Rare features Mew with a striking, neon-saturated illustration by modern artist YOSHIROTTEN. Interestingly, YOSHIROTTEN is also responsible for the holofoil Basic Energy cards from 30th Celebration – giving you an easy way to upgrade the visuals of your next Pokémon TCG League deck.
6
Pikachu ex – Special Illustration Rare, 150/128
Market Price: $111.22
The more valuable Pikachu ex SIR is the nighttime rendition, and both the day and night Pikachu cards feature remarkably detailed artwork courtesy of kantaro. The “Pika at night” card sees the franchise’s mascot celebrating a fireworks display alongside Eevee, Hisuian Zorua, Gengar, Lycanroc and many, many others. A stunning SIR deserving of its over-$100 price tag.
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