Summary
In thePokemon TCG, there are a ton of rarity levels, and over the years, it’s only gotten more complicated. If you’re new to collecting or playing, this can be a bit confusing. Gold Rare, also known as Hyper Rare, cards are decked out with a golden background and golden borders. You can also spot them by the three golden star symbols at the bottom left.
What makes these cards special isn’t just their looks—it’s their rarity. They’re tough to pull and incredibly valuable. Plus, their illustrations are super cool, making them perfect for both your deck and display. Curious about the most valuable Gold Rare cards? Let’s dive in!
All these prices are fromTCGplayer.com’s Market Value and are subject to change at any time.
11Charizard ex - $21.15
Obsidian Flames - 228
One of the biggest reasons this card is so valuable—aside from its rarity—is, of course, the fact that it’s a Charizard. Some Pokemon are just more iconic than others, and Charizard is definitely one of them. That’s why it has Mega and Gigantamax forms and keeps appearing in almost every game.
On top of that, this Charizard is also a Tera Pokemon, meaning it takes no damage while on the Bench. Plus, it’s a Darkness type. And let’s not forget—this card is actually strong! The further behind you are, the more damage it deals based on Prize Cards. Oh, and the artwork? Just another reason why everyone wants this card in their collection.
10Pecharunt ex - $23.68
Shrouded Fable - 095
Pecharunt may look small and adorable, but don’t let that fool you—this Pokemon is all about deception! It feeds others toxic mochi, drawing out their desires and capabilities… and that’s not even the scary part. Those who eat it fall under Pecharunt’s control, basically turning into zombies. Yikes!
On the bright side, its ability is pretty handy—it lets you swap one of your Pokemon between the Bench and Active Spot every turn. The catch? It only works on Darkness types. Meanwhile, Irritated Outburst gets stronger based on your opponent’s Prize cards, making it a perfect comeback move. Maybe it’s the mix of all these traits that makes this card so valuable—or maybe it’s just the mochi.
9Night Stretcher - $24.01
Surging Sparks - 251
A deck full of only Pokemon cards is doomed to lose—there’s no way around it. That’s why having asolid amount of Trainer Cardsis a must! Night Stretcher is one of those lifesavers, letting you grab a Pokemon or Energy from your discard pile. Sure, the effect seems small, but it’s incredibly useful. Bringing your strongest Pokemon back into play? Yes, please!
As for the card’s value… well, it’s probably not because of the illustration. It’s literally just a stretcher with a Poke Ball logo on it. Not exactly thrilling. But hey, if you like flashy Trainer Cards, this one’s got some serious flex potential!
8Buddy-Buddy Poffin - $25.50
Surging Sparks - 223
When picking Trainer Cards, synergy is key—you want them to work well with your deck so you can use them efficiently and feel like a true Pokemon Trainer. Buddy-Buddy Poffin is as adorable as its name suggests (and possibly hunger-inducing).
This card lets you bring two Pokemon with 70 HP or less straight onto the battlefield, skipping the hassle of drawing them. It’s a game-changer, especially early on, helping you set up much faster. And the illustration? Just two cute little poffins sitting there—symbolizing the two Pokemon you get to call into action. Functional and delicious-looking? Now that’s a win-win!
7Basic Metal Energy - $29.95
Shrouded Fable - 099
Energy cards are the lifeblood of your deck—without them, your Pokemon are just standing around looking cool. Since you play them constantly, they’re also some of the most common cards you’ll see. But let’s be honest, compared to flashy Pokemon illustrations, Energy cards tend to be… well, pretty boring. A simple symbol on a background isn’t exactly thrilling.
But what if they could be? Enter Gold Rare cards. With their golden borders and foil effects, even the humblest Energy card becomes a showstopper. That’s why Basic Metal Energy holds its place among the most valuable Gold Rares—it proves that even the simplest card can have a little bling!
6Iono’s Bellibolt ex - $30.46
Journey Together - 188
With theJourney Together set, the Trainer-and-Pokemon synergy makes a grand return, bringing us cards centered around fan-favorite Trainers like N, Hop, Lillie, and Iono. Speaking of Iono, she’s both stylish and hilarious—an Electric-type Gym Leader with undeniable charm.
Bellibolt, on the other hand, isn’t exactly topping the “coolest Pokemon” lists. People can’t even agree on where its eyes are! But don’t be fooled by its goofy looks. Thunderous Bolt deals big damage, though it does leave Bellibolt unable to attack next turn. Fortunately, its ability lets you attach as many Lightning Energy cards as you want to Iono’s Pokemon, making it the perfect partner for other Iono-themed cards. Shocking, right?
5Basic Darkness Energy - $34.50
Shrouded Fable - 098
This list proves one thing—people absolutely love Hyper Rare Energy cards, and that love drives their value up. But why is Darkness Energy worth more than the others? There’s no single answer, but it might have something to do with the Pokemon released alongside it.
Of course, the biggest reason is simple: these cards are Secret Rares, making them incredibly hard to pull. What makes Basic Darkness Energy stand out from regular Darkness Energy? Its golden rare treatment, of course! That shimmering border and flashy foil make it look way too fancy for a basic resource card—but hey, that’s exactly why it’s so valuable!
4N’s Zoroark ex - $43.70
Journey Together - 189
N and Zoroark are the faces of most Journey Together products, and for good reason. First,they’re an iconic duo. Second—and more importantly—they just look cool. Their card features golden outlines, making it visually stunning. But it’s not just a pretty card—it’s highly functional too.
Thanks to the Trade ability, you can discard a card each turn to draw two more, helping you cycle through your deck faster and find key pieces. But that’s not all! Night Joker lets Zoroark copy an attack from one of N’s other Pokemon on your Bench, making it a tricky and unpredictable card. Stylish and powerful—what’s not to love?
3Earthen Vessel - $46.55
Shrouded Fable - 096
Earthen Vessel is one of those handy item cards you don’t want to overlook. By discarding another card, it helps you find two Energy cards from your deck—because let’s face it, no Energy means your Pokemon aren’t reaching their full potential. And we all know how important Energy is.
While its Ancient tag doesn’t really mean much in terms of synergy, it’s still a card you’ll appreciate. Plus, if you’re into Ancient themes or just enjoy cool, historical art, this card might be your gem. Not just useful, but with a touch of class—this little vessel can certainly carry your deck to victory!
2Pikachu ex - $71.52
Prismatic Evolutions - 179
Of course, there’s one Pokemon that is the mascot of Pokémon and is recognized by everyone: none other than Pikachu. It’s no surprise that the gold rare version of the Pikachu ex card, which is the face of Pokemon, is so valuable. This Pikachu in its Tera form has a unique illustration featuring a Holo finish.
Apart from that, its ability and attack are pretty solid. Its ability prevents it from being knocked out in one hit when at full HP, leaving it with 10 HP. Its attack, Topaz Bolt, is quite destructive, dealing 300 damage, but using it is both energy-intensive and requires discarding three energy cards from this Pokemon.
