Ninetails Illustration Rare

Here’s something else that’s fascinating about the valuation of this set, if you’re a nerd like me: The audience has quite strongly disagreed with The Pokémon Company when it comes to which cards they see as most valuable. While we’ve got a couple of two-gold-star Special Illustration Rares to come in this list, many of the others in the category are nowhere to be seen.

For instance, the Eiscue ex SIR by Flying Pikachu artist Toshinao Aoki has been deemed a miss, currently fetching under $8. The lusciously illustrated Revavroom ex is about the same price, as is the adorable special version of Poppy. In other sets, these are cards that would have easily fetched $20+, especially in the first few weeks. And as for the once sought-after Gold Hyper Rares? Both the Fire Energy and the Artazon golds are yours for $6.50.

Beating all of them is the single-gold-starred Ninetails Illustration Rare, at just over $15, proving that rarity can be easily made less important than beauty. Because oh wow, this card is a stunner. This is by artist Shie Nanahara, whose incredible work has been seen on Magic and One Piece cards, and as of this year is making waves in the Pokémon TCG. Her break-out Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR was one of the best cards in the incredible Crown Zenith, while Paldea Evolved’s Gothorita showed a whole other style. This Ninetails is just breathtaking.