5 Pokémon Cards Quietly Rising in Value in 2025

Not every valuable card comes with flames and fanfare. Some Pokémon cards quietly rise in value while the spotlight is on the usual suspects like Charizard and Pikachu.

Here are five cards that are flying under the radar — but gaining serious attention from savvy collectors in 2025.

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1. Espeon Gold Star (POP Series 5)

• Set: Pokémon Organized Play Series 5 (2007)
• Rarity: Gold Star
• Why It’s Rising: Low population, fan-favorite Eeveelution, and nearly impossible to pull from POP packs. PSA 9s have seen a 30%+ rise since late 2024.

Estimated Value (PSA 9): ~$6,000
Estimated Value (PSA 10): ~$14,000

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2. Lugia (Neo Genesis 1st Edition Holo)

• Set: Neo Genesis (2000)
• Rarity: Holo Rare
• Why It’s Rising: Long considered the “Silver Charizard,” this card has broken through collector ceilings recently, with graded 10s reaching five figures.

Estimated Value (PSA 9): ~$3,500
Estimated Value (PSA 10): ~$12,000

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3. Cynthia’s Ambition (Full Art, Brilliant Stars)

• Set: Brilliant Stars (2022)
• Rarity: Trainer Full Art
• Why It’s Rising: Popular Trainer cards are trending hard — and this one combines gameplay usefulness with a beloved character. Graded versions and sealed singles are trending up in early 2025.

Estimated Value (Raw NM): ~$20
PSA 10: $100–150+

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4. Umbreon VMAX (Alternate Art, Evolving Skies)

• Set: Evolving Skies (2021)
• Rarity: Secret Rare / Alt Art
• Why It’s Rising: “Moonbreon” is arguably the most iconic modern chase card. After a dip in late 2023, it’s back with a vengeance. Low pop PSA 10s are rising.

Raw Value: ~$450
PSA 10: ~$1,200+

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5. Tropical Wind (World Championships Promo)

• Set: 2004 World Championships
• Rarity: Trophy Promo
• Why It’s Rising: Ultra-limited release, given only to Worlds participants. Niche but increasingly desirable among high-end collectors.

PSA 9: ~$3,000
PSA 10: $7,000+

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🔍 Final Thoughts

The Pokémon TCG market is deeper than just Base Set Charizard. These five cards are proof that rarity, nostalgia, and player appeal can quietly build value over time.

Always do your own research and watch price trends on platforms like:

• TCGPlayer
• PSA Pop Report
• eBay’s sold listings
• Auction houses like PWCC

Looking for more? Check out our Rare Card Spotlights for deep dives on iconic collectibles.