Gold Pokémon cards
The three kinds of gold Pokémon card (Gold Stars, gold pack cards and gold-plated or metal novelties), every Gold Star priced, the most valuable modern gold cards, and how to spot a fake.
“Gold” on a Pokémon card means one of three things. Gold Star cards (2004 to 2007) carry a ★ after the Pokémon's name but are holofoil, not gold. Gold-foil pack cards are pulled from booster packs: secret rares in older sets, Hyper Rares in Scarlet & Violet, Mega Hyper Rares since 2025. Gold-plated or metal cards, from the 1999 Burger King cards to Ultra-Premium Collection metal cards, are collectibles sold outside packs. Below, they are sorted by era and priced by PriceCharting as of November 2, 2026, with ungraded and PSA 10 prices in separate columns. This is a reference, not buying or investment advice.
Gold cards by era
The table covers English cards. Rarity is the label the Pokémon TCG API gives. The API has no separate label for the gold cards of the Black & White to Sword & Shield years: it files them as Rare Secret, together with the other cards numbered above their set's printed total.
| Era | Years | What is gold | Rarity (API) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EX (Gold Star) | Nov. 2004 – Mar. 2007 | Nothing: a ★ after the name marks the card, which is holofoil | Rare Holo Star (POP Series 5 promos: Rare) | Charizard ★ δ, Dragon Frontiers 100/101 |
| Black & White | 2013 examples | Gold-foil cards numbered above the set | Rare Secret | Ultra Ball 122/116 (Plasma Freeze); Reshiram 114/113 (Legendary Treasures) |
| Sun & Moon | 2017 example | Gold-foil cards numbered above the set | Rare Secret | Rare Candy 165/145 (Guardians Rising) |
| Sword & Shield | 2020 example | Gold-foil cards numbered above the set, including Pokémon V | Rare Secret | Zacian V 211/202 (Sword & Shield) |
| Scarlet & Violet | Mar. 2023 – May 2025 | Hyper Rare: a gilded card with a gold background and a three-gold-star rarity symbol | Hyper Rare (74 cards) | Miraidon ex 253/198 (Scarlet & Violet) |
| Mega Evolution | Sept. 2025 on | Mega Hyper Rare: a Mega Evolution Pokémon ex in an all-gold, embossed finish | Mega Hyper Rare (8 cards) | Mega Charizard X ex 130/094 (Phantasmal Flames) |
- Gold Star is a symbol, not a finish. The API lists 25 cards with its Rare Holo Star rarity in nine sets, from Team Rocket Returns (November 2004) to Power Keepers (February 2007), plus Espeon ★ and Umbreon ★ from POP Series 5 (March 2007), which it labels Rare. The API credits all 27 to Masakazu Fukuda. CGC notes that Gold Star cards show the Pokémon in its shiny colors.
- Before Hyper Rare. Bulbapedia notes that such cards were usually classed as secret rares before the Hyper Rare rarity existed.
- Hyper Rares. The API lists 74 (Pokémon ex, Trainers, Stadiums and Energy) in 14 sets from Scarlet & Violet to Destined Rivals, and none for Black Bolt or White Flare.
- Mega Hyper Rares. The API lists eight, one or two per set from Mega Evolution to Pitch Black; all eight are in the value table below. CGC describes them as “totally embossed in gold finishes” and puts their pull rate as low as 1 in 1,260 packs; the pack study behind that figure is on the Mega Evolution set page.
- Gold Star cards: November 2004 (Team Rocket Returns) to March 2007 (POP Series 5); 27 English cards.
- Gold secret rares: example cards only, from Plasma Freeze and Legendary Treasures (2013), Guardians Rising (2017) and Sword & Shield (2020); the API files them as Rare Secret, so no full span is drawn.
- Hyper Rare: Scarlet & Violet (March 31, 2023) to Destined Rivals (May 30, 2025); 74 cards.
- Mega Hyper Rare: Mega Evolution (September 26, 2025) to Pitch Black (July 17, 2026); 8 cards so far.
- Gold-plated and metal novelties: Burger King gold-plated cards (November 1999), Japanese Gold Pikachu (2016, drawn mid-year), Celebrations Ultra-Premium Collection metal cards (Q4 2021) and 151 Ultra-Premium Collection metal Mew ex (October 2023).
Rayquaza ★Deoxys, 2005 · Gold Star · $9,394.74 ungraded
Umbreon ★POP Series 5, 2007 · Gold Star · $6,736.21 ungraded
Charizard ★ δDragon Frontiers, 2006 · Gold Star · $6,125.00 ungraded
Ultra BallPlasma Freeze, 2013 · gold secret rare
ReshiramLegendary Treasures, 2013 · gold secret rare
Rare CandyGuardians Rising, 2017 · gold secret rare
Zacian VSword & Shield, 2020 · gold secret rare
Miraidon exScarlet & Violet, 2023 · $7.23 ungraded
Charizard exObsidian Flames, 2023 · $35.00 ungraded
Pikachu exSurging Sparks, 2024 · $65.59 ungraded
Mega Charizard X exPhantasmal Flames, 2025 · $212.49 ungraded
Mega Charizard Y exAscended Heroes, 2026 · $273.72 ungraded
Every Gold Star card, by price
All 27 English Gold Star cards, ranked by PriceCharting's ungraded price as of November 2, 2026. Set, number and release month come from the Pokémon TCG API. PSA 10 is shown for comparison; many PSA 10 figures rest on few sales (about three a year for the Dragon Frontiers Charizard ★ δ).
| # | Card | Set (released) | Number | Ungraded | PSA 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rayquaza ★ | Deoxys (Feb. 2005) | 107/107 | $9,394.74 | $365,750.00 |
| 2 | Umbreon ★ | POP Series 5 (Mar. 2007) | 17/17 | $6,736.21 | $477,050.00 |
| 3 | Charizard ★ δ | Dragon Frontiers (Nov. 2006) | 100/101 | $6,125.00 | $181,415.00 |
| 4 | Torchic ★ | Team Rocket Returns (Nov. 2004) | 108/109 | $5,840.22 | $194,197.72 |
| 5 | Espeon ★ | POP Series 5 (Mar. 2007) | 16/17 | $5,550.69 | $167,360.56 |
| 6 | Pikachu ★ | Holon Phantoms (May 2006) | 104/110 | $4,052.63 | $427,000.00 |
| 7 | Mudkip ★ | Team Rocket Returns (Nov. 2004) | 107/109 | $3,973.33 | $350,954.68 |
| 8 | Gyarados ★ δ | Holon Phantoms (May 2006) | 102/110 | $3,899.90 | $36,605.30 |
| 9 | Mew ★ δ | Dragon Frontiers (Nov. 2006) | 101/101 | $3,608.50 | $192,000.00 |
| 10 | Treecko ★ | Team Rocket Returns (Nov. 2004) | 109/109 | $3,444.52 | $71,950.00 |
| 11 | Mewtwo ★ | Holon Phantoms (May 2006) | 103/110 | $2,750.00 | $108,000.00 |
| 12 | Latios ★ | Deoxys (Feb. 2005) | 106/107 | $2,237.50 | $32,800.00 |
| 13 | Kyogre ★ | Delta Species (Oct. 2005) | 112/113 | $2,003.74 | $40,366.37 |
| 14 | Metagross ★ | Delta Species (Oct. 2005) | 113/113 | $1,590.01 | $26,500.00 |
| 15 | Latias ★ | Deoxys (Feb. 2005) | 105/107 | $1,504.00 | $364,882.77 |
| 16 | Alakazam ★ | Crystal Guardians (Aug. 2006) | 99/100 | $1,499.01 | $47,015.76 |
| 17 | Jolteon ★ | Power Keepers (Feb. 2007) | 101/108 | $1,450.00 | $40,000.00 |
| 18 | Regirock ★ | Legend Maker (Feb. 2006) | 91/92 | $1,353.50 | $30,031.47 |
| 19 | Registeel ★ | Legend Maker (Feb. 2006) | 92/92 | $1,325.93 | $44,640.57 |
| 20 | Flareon ★ | Power Keepers (Feb. 2007) | 100/108 | $1,308.94 | $27,426.22 |
| 21 | Raikou ★ | Unseen Forces (Aug. 2005) | 114/115 | $1,275.00 | $20,200.00 |
| 22 | Celebi ★ | Crystal Guardians (Aug. 2006) | 100/100 | $1,238.50 | $16,261.17 |
| 23 | Groudon ★ | Delta Species (Oct. 2005) | 111/113 | $1,212.50 | $23,175.24 |
| 24 | Vaporeon ★ | Power Keepers (Feb. 2007) | 102/108 | $1,029.00 | $23,000.00 |
| 25 | Entei ★ | Unseen Forces (Aug. 2005) | 113/115 | $950.00 | $21,050.00 |
| 26 | Suicune ★ | Unseen Forces (Aug. 2005) | 115/115 | $932.88 | $24,413.04 |
| 27 | Regice ★ | Legend Maker (Feb. 2006) | 90/92 | $660.54 | $65,000.00 |
- Rayquaza leads raw. Rayquaza ★ from Deoxys is the only Gold Star above $9,000 ungraded ($9,394.74). The two POP Series 5 promos, Umbreon ★ and Espeon ★, rank second and fifth.
- The PSA 10 order is different. By PSA 10 price, Umbreon ★ ($477,050.00) leads, followed by Pikachu ★ ($427,000.00), Rayquaza ★ ($365,750.00), Latias ★ ($364,882.77) and Mudkip ★ ($350,954.68). Latias is 15th ungraded but fourth in PSA 10.
- More on Gold Stars. Public auction records for single copies are on the most expensive Pokémon cards, grade-10 population counts on the rarest Pokémon cards, and the five Eeveelution Gold Stars on the Eeveelution cards page.
Most valuable modern gold cards
This ranking covers the Hyper Rares and Mega Hyper Rares in the API, 82 cards in all. PriceCharting's set price guides gave prices for 80 of them on November 2, 2026; Fighting Energy (Scarlet & Violet #258) and Counter Catcher (Paradox Rift #264) were not found on the pages as read and are left out. Older gold secret rares are not ranked, because the API does not separate them from other secret rares. Ungraded prices set the order; PSA 10 is shown for comparison.
| # | Card | Set (year) | Rarity (API) | Ungraded | PSA 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mega Charizard Y ex #294 | Ascended Heroes (2026) | Mega Hyper Rare | $273.72 | $1,965.71 |
| 2 | Mega Charizard X ex #130 | Phantasmal Flames (2025) | Mega Hyper Rare | $212.49 | $2,043.64 |
| 3 | Mega Lucario ex #188 | Mega Evolution (2025) | Mega Hyper Rare | $181.71 | $640.76 |
| 4 | Mega Dragonite ex #295 | Ascended Heroes (2026) | Mega Hyper Rare | $160.00 | $860.00 |
| 5 | Mega Gardevoir ex #187 | Mega Evolution (2025) | Mega Hyper Rare | $150.13 | $495.00 |
| 6 | Mega Darkrai ex #120 | Pitch Black (2026) | Mega Hyper Rare | $140.18 | $1,300.00 |
| 7 | Mega Greninja ex #122 | Chaos Rising (2026) | Mega Hyper Rare | $119.53 | $606.50 |
| 8 | Mega Zygarde ex #124 | Perfect Order (2026) | Mega Hyper Rare | $94.00 | $397.50 |
| 9 | Pikachu ex #247 | Surging Sparks (2024) | Hyper Rare | $65.59 | $297.00 |
| 10 | Basic Darkness Energy #98 | Shrouded Fable (2024) | Hyper Rare | $54.92 | $72.87 |
| 11 | Pikachu ex #179 | Prismatic Evolutions (2025) | Hyper Rare | $48.88 | $310.00 |
| 12 | Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex #240 | Destined Rivals (2025) | Hyper Rare | $45.03 | $148.70 |
| 13 | Charizard ex #228 | Obsidian Flames (2023) | Hyper Rare | $35.00 | $249.79 |
- The eight Mega Hyper Rares come first. Every Mega Hyper Rare is priced above every Scarlet & Violet Hyper Rare ungraded, from $94.00 (Mega Zygarde ex) to $273.72 (Mega Charizard Y ex).
- Most Hyper Rares are cheap raw. 62 of the 72 Hyper Rares priced were under $20 ungraded; the lowest was Artazon (Obsidian Flames #229) at $1.78 and the highest Pikachu ex from Surging Sparks at $65.59.
- Gold Stars sit in another price range. The cheapest Gold Star ungraded ($660.54) cost more than twice the most valuable modern gold card ($273.72).
- PSA 10. Mega Charizard X ex has the highest PSA 10 price among the modern gold cards ($2,043.64), just above Mega Charizard Y ex ($1,965.71). The gold Charizards are compared with every other Charizard on the Charizard cards page.
Real gold cards vs novelty gold and metal cards
Some gold Pokémon cards never came out of a booster pack: they were restaurant promotions or extras in premium boxes, collectibles rather than cards from a set.
| Item | Year | How it was sold | What it is | Price, as of Nov. 2, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King gold-plated cards (6) | 1999 | $1.99 each with a value meal, Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, 1999, while supplies lasted | 23K gold-plated card in a Poké Ball, with a certificate of authenticity | $19.00 – $55.59 ungraded |
| Gold Pikachu (Japan) | 2016 | 20th-anniversary lottery, 216,000 yen | Solid 24-karat gold card made with the jeweler Ginza Tanaka | One copy $29,500 at Goldin (2022) |
| Celebrations Ultra-Premium Collection | 2021 | Premium box | Two commemorative metal cards (Base Set Pikachu and Charizard), plus gold Pikachu V and Poké Ball promos | Not priced here |
| 151 Ultra-Premium Collection | 2023 | Premium box, launched Oct. 6, 2023 | One etched metal Mew ex card, plus an etched foil Mew ex promo | Mew ex [Metal] #205: $24.97 ungraded |
- Burger King's six cards. QSR Magazine's report of November 8, 1999 described “one of six collectable 23K gold plated trading cards”, sold for $1.99 with any value meal from November 15 through December 31, each in a Poké Ball with a certificate of authenticity. PriceCharting lists them as Charizard, Pikachu, Mewtwo, Togepi, Jigglypuff and Poliwhirl, under Pokémon Burger King rather than under a card set. Bulbapedia describes each as a thick metal card in a plastic cover, with a picture on both sides and Pokédex data on the back. As of November 2, 2026, Charizard had the highest ungraded price of the six ($55.59) and Pikachu the highest PSA 10 price ($6,324.00).
- Metal cards in premium boxes. Pokémon.com calls the Celebrations metal cards “commemorative” and the gold Pikachu V and Poké Ball in the same box “playable promo cards”. In the 151 box, the metal Mew ex sits next to a playable etched foil Mew ex.
- The 2016 Gold Pikachu. CGC describes this Japanese 20th-anniversary card as solid 24-karat gold, sold by lottery, and reports the $29,500 Goldin sale.
Fake gold cards
A gold-colored card that matches none of the cards and products above should be treated as unofficial until it can be matched: a gold pack card carries a set symbol and a collector number that fits a set, and an official metal card belongs to a named product. Wargamer's counterfeit checks apply too: matching fonts, energy symbols of the right size and position, a 2.5 by 3.5 inch card with a matte rather than glossy feel, and a back with dark blue dappling rather than flat light blue. It advises against the rip test, which destroys the card, and calls the light test inconclusive for modern fakes. For a graded gold card, check the holder as well: see how to spot a fake slab.
Questions collectors ask
Are gold Pokémon cards real?
Many are. Gold Hyper Rares, Mega Hyper Rares and older gold secret rares come from booster packs and have a set and number. The Burger King and Ultra-Premium Collection metal cards were official promotional items, though not cards from a set. A gold card with no set symbol, no fitting collector number and no known product behind it matches no official card.
How much are gold Pokémon cards worth?
It depends on the kind. As of November 2, 2026, ungraded: Gold Stars $660.54 to $9,394.74, Mega Hyper Rares $94.00 to $273.72, most Hyper Rares under $20, Burger King gold-plated cards $19.00 to $55.59. Compare sold prices for the exact card and condition; the method is in where to check sold prices.
What is the gold Charizard card?
Usually one of four pack cards: Charizard ★ δ from Dragon Frontiers (Gold Star), Charizard ex 228/197 from Obsidian Flames (Hyper Rare), or the Mega Hyper Rares Mega Charizard X ex 130/094 from Phantasmal Flames and Mega Charizard Y ex 294/217 from Ascended Heroes. Their prices are in the tables above. The Burger King Charizard is a gold-plated novelty, not a card from a set.
What do the gold stars on a Pokémon card mean?
Two different things. A ★ after the Pokémon's name marks an EX-era Gold Star card. Gold stars in the rarity symbol of a Scarlet & Violet card mark its rarity; CGC's guide reads one as Illustration Rare, two as Special Illustration Rare and three as Hyper Rare, the all-gold card.
Checklist before you price a gold card
- ☐ The kind of gold is clear: Gold Star, gold pack card or gold-plated/metal piece.
- ☐ The set symbol and collector number match a real card; gold pack cards are numbered above their set's printed total.
- ☐ A metal card is matched to its product.
- ☐ Raw is compared with raw and PSA 10 with PSA 10, each with an “as of” date.
- ☐ The sales volume is checked; a PSA 10 price that rests on a few sales a year is a weak guide.
- ☐ A raw copy passes the counterfeit checks (fonts, energy symbols, size, back) before its price is taken at face value.
Sources
- Pokémon TCG API — searches by rarity (Rare Holo Star, Hyper Rare, Mega Hyper Rare) and single-card records for the cards shown (sets, numbers, release dates, images; read Nov. 2, 2026)
- PriceCharting — set price guides for the nine Gold Star sets and POP Series 5, the Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution sets, and Pokémon Burger King (ungraded and PSA 10 prices, read Nov. 2, 2026)
- Pokémon.com — product pages for the Celebrations Ultra-Premium Collection (Q4 2021) and the Scarlet & Violet—151 Ultra-Premium Collection (Oct. 6, 2023)
- CGC — “Understanding Pokémon Rarity Symbols and Card Features” (Jan. 10, 2024; updated Mar. 26, 2026)
- CGC — “The Rarest and Most Expensive Pokémon Cards” (posted Aug. 12, 2022, since updated): 2016 Gold Pikachu and Gold Star cards
- QSR Magazine — “Pokémon Coming to Burger King” (Nov. 8, 1999)
- Bulbapedia (secondary) — “1999 Burger King promotional Pokémon toys” and “Hyper rare card (TCG)”
- Wargamer — “How to identify fake Pokémon cards” (Alex Evans, Jan. 31, 2025)
Sources checked October 2026.