Feeling a bit nostalgic? Believe it or not, the beloved Pokémon franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary today. While the series continues to dominate with billions of cards sold annually, the real gem lies in a select few rare cards that fetch eye-popping prices at auctions.

These treasures, ranging from ultra-rare Charizards to exclusive, one-of-a-kind editions, have the potential to transform you into a millionaire overnight. The fervor surrounding these collectibles shows no signs of waning.

Earlier this month, YouTube sensation Logan Paul made headlines by selling a single ‘Pikachu Illustrator’ card for a staggering $16.492 million (£12.244 million), setting a new record in the process. Meanwhile, another coveted card—the revered first-edition shadowless base set Charizard—is expected to fetch between $40,400 (£30,000) and $54,880 (£40,000) at an upcoming auction.

It’s not only the rarest cards that are hitting high notes in the market. Enthusiastic collectors are driving up prices for even the more common cards, turning what was once a simple hobby into a lucrative venture for many.

Meanwhile, a ‘holy grail’ first–edition shadowless base set Charizard is set to auction with an expected sale price between $40,400 (£30,000) and $54,880 (£40,000).

But it isn’t just the most unique cards that can be worth a fortune, as a legion of avid collectors have sent prices for relatively common cards soaring.

David Wilson–Turner, Pokémon expert at Derby–based Hansons Auctioneers, told the Daily Mail: ‘Back in 1999, you could buy a pack of 11 Pokémon cards at any Woolworths for anything between £1.50 and £2. If you have grown–up children, it is worth going through their old toy boxes. You could be sitting on a goldmine.’

So, do you have any of these cards gathering dust in your attic? 

It’s time to feel old – as believe it or not, Pokémon turns 30 today

YouTube superstar Logan Paul sold a single ‘Pikachu Illustrator’ card for a record–breaking $16.492 million (£12.244 million)

Pikachu Illustrator

Avid Pokémon collector Logan Paul is no stranger to splashing vast amounts of cash on collectable cards.

But the most notable of his record–breaking sales is the ‘Pikachu Illustrator’ card.

While most Pokémon cards come from sealed packs, the Pikachu Illustrator was originally given to the winners of a 1998 drawing competition.

Only 39 of these cards were ever created, and only 10 have ever been graded as ‘mint condition’.

In 2021, Paul smashed the previous records for card price when he brought the only ‘PSA 10’ – the highest grading for card condition – copy.

To top it off, he then sold the card to AJ Scaramucci, son of former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, for $16.492 million (£12.244 million).

Trophy Pikachu No. 1 Trainer

The Pikachu ‘trophy’ cards were given to the winners of the first official Pokémon tournament in 1997. In September last year, a mint condition ‘Trophy Pikachu No. 1 Trainer’ sold for £3 million (£2.23 million) on eBay

Coming in as the second most valuable Pokémon card is another rare card that was only given out to a select few individuals.

These extremely rare cards were only handed out to the top players at the first–ever official tournament, the 1997–98 Japanese Lizardon Mega Battle Pokémon competition.

There are reportedly just 14 copies of this card in existence, but many have become damaged over the years, reducing their price significantly.

In September last year, a mint condition ‘Trophy Pikachu No. 1 Trainer’ sold for $3 million (£2.23 million) on eBay.

Other cards in a similar condition have fetched thousands, but none have quite matched that astronomical price.

First edition Charizard

However, it isn’t just unique cards that have fetched staggering prices at auction.

Among those, the shadowless base set Charizard in a holographic finish is considered the ‘holy grail’ of Pokémon cards.

Today, a ‘holy grail’ first–edition shadowless base set Charizard is set to auction with an expected sale price between $40,400 (£30,000) and $54,880 (£40,000)

The term ‘shadowless’ refers to the fact that the card is printed without the dark border found on all later cards, identifying it as a true first edition.

Mr Wilson–Turner says: ‘A Charizard was the rarest holographic in Base Set, so pulling one from a pack was like winning a mini lottery.

Only 4,000 to 10,000 cards were produced, most of which were played with and are now dog–eared – so to find one in mint condition is vanishingly rare.’

Previously, a PSA 10 copy sold for $420,000 (£334,000) in 2022.

Hansons Auctioneers are currently preparing to sell a mint condition copy of the card as the centrepiece of their Pokémon Day auction.

The auction house currently expects the rare card to sell for between $40,400 (£30,000) and $54,880 (£40,000).

First Edition Neo Genesis Holo Lugia

Another card that has reached bizarre heights of value since its initial release is the First Edition Neo Genesis Holo Lugia.

Very few First Edition Neo Genesis Holo Lugia cards have survived in good condition, pushing up the price. In May 2021, a First Edition Neo Genesis Holo Lugia sold for a whopping $144,300 (£105,200)

Just like Charizard, this is a rare first–edition card from some of the earliest sets ever released.

Having launched all the way back in 2000, most copies have since been torn, tattered, or lost by young Pokémon fans.

It is now estimated that just 41 PSA 10 copies of the card have ever been graded, and only three have ever received the maximum grading of ‘pristine’.

In May 2021, a First Edition Neo Genesis Holo Lugia sold for a whopping $144,300 (£105,200).

While the price has fallen since that record high, eBay still has dozens of listings for this card – with one currently sitting at $35,491.26 (£26,349.95).

Even cards in relatively bad conditions can still fetch hundreds, so it is well worth checking to see if you have one of these gathering dust in an old drawer.

Gengar & Mimikyu GX

Although old cards and familiar favourites fetch the highest prices at auction, Pokémon’s renewed popularity has sent the prices of some modern cards through the roof.

Even modern cards have exploded in price over recent years. If you were lucky enough to pick up a ‘Gengar & Mimikyu GX’ back in 2019, that card would now be worth $1,323.56 (£982.24) 

‘Demand for Pokémon memorabilia has exploded in recent years, sparked by lockdown when many adults revisited the playground favourite, boosting nostalgia–driven purchases,’ says Mr Wilson–Turner.

‘Pokémon is a market that has grown rapidly in recent years. It is the strongest it has ever been right now and will only continue to grow.’

According to the Card Ladder Index, which tracks the value of Pokémon cards, a selection of popular cards is now worth 6,208 per cent more than they were in May 2004.

In January this year alone, fans spent $450 million (£333.95 million) on cards.

This means that the value of some relatively common cards has absolutely exploded.

For example, if you were lucky enough to pick up a ‘Gengar & Mimikyu GX’ back in 2019, that card would now be worth $1,323.56 (£982.24) – more than double what it was worth last year.

Umbreon ex

Another relatively common modern card that has seen unbelievable growth is the Umbrean ex from the recent SV: Prismatic Evolutions expansion.

Umbreon ex was released last January in packs that retailed for just $9.99. It is now worth $1,091 (£809.65) 

On eBay, one Umbreon ex card is currently selling for $4,311 (£3,199.30). Even unopened packs that could contain the card are retailing for hundreds 

This card was released in January last year and could be found in packs that started at just $9.99.

As of today, the card is worth $1,091 (£809.65), which is actually down from its peak price of $1,600 (£1,187) back in March.

On eBay, a PSA 10 edition of the card is currently retailing for $4,311 (£3,199.30).

Even the packs that this card could be found in are now selling for incredible amounts of cash.

On eBay, 100 ‘Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundles’, originally priced at $26.94 (£19.99), is now selling for $9,400 (£7,000).