Which Pokémon Is the Most Valuable to Collect? (It Is Not Charizard)
Everyone assumes Charizard is the most valuable Pokémon. The data says it is only number 5, with Mew on top. Here is the full ranking and how to value yours.
In this guide
Ask anyone which Pokemon is the most valuable and the answer is instant: Charizard. So we measured it, taking the median price of every printing of 21 of the most iconic Pokemon.
Charizard is iconic, but card for card it is only fifth. Four others cost more at the median.
The most valuable Pokemon, ranked
We ranked each Pokemon by the median trend price across all of its printings, so a single Gold Star or Base Set grail cannot skew the result. The top ten:
- Mew, typical card €91
- Rayquaza, €84
- Lugia, €76
- Umbreon, €75
- Charizard, €67
- Gengar, €56
- Mewtwo, €41
- Ho-Oh, €30
- Sylveon, €28
- Dragonite, €23
The full ranking of all 21 is in the most valuable Pokémon study. Mew, not Charizard, sits at the top.
Places two to five are close and can swap under other checks.
Why Mew beats Charizard
We measured the order, not the reason. Each of these has cheap commons and expensive chases, and they differ in how many printings they have and from which eras.
Umbreon, which leads its own family of Eeveelutions, is close behind at fourth, and the same question comes up in why Charizard costs more than its rivals.
Typical value is not the chase ceiling
These are typical (median) values, and every Pokemon on the list has a chase card far above its median: the Umbreon Gold Star trends around €6,135, the Skyridge Charizard €4,918, the Rayquaza Gold Star €6,986, all on few sales. So a random Mew is not automatically worth a fortune.
The exact printing decides everything, which is exactly why the vintage grails like the Gold Stars are a separate conversation from the typical card.
The most consistent: Mew
Mew also has the highest share of expensive printings: 48% trend at €100 or more, with Rayquaza next at 47%.
How to value your Pokemon
- Pin the exact printing: the set, card number, holo or non-holo, and edition.
- Filter to English, Near Mint or better.
- Average the four lowest current offers for that exact card. That is what it genuinely sells for.
That is the method from what's my Pokémon card worth. To identify the exact card and pull its live value fast, scan a card →.
Selling your Pokemon
Name the exact printing and condition, and price the right market, because a modern Umbreon and a vintage Umbreon Gold Star are worlds apart. Then open a free shop and list your cards → with no marketplace fee, and if it is a chase card, ship it safely so it arrives as described.