A new special set has been released for the Pokémon TCG and it harkens back to the good old days of Generation 1. Pokémon Card 151 (or more simply just Pokémon 151) is a special set in the Scarlet and Violet era of the TCG made to celebrate that original Generation of Pokémon from 1996. As the smallest set so far in Scarlet and Violet and one of the smallest sets in general, Pokémon 151 pull rates are relatively high, especially with the addition of rare official English God Packs which include all three Alternative Arts of either the Bulbasaur, Squirtle or Charmander lines. However, like with any Pokémon set, especially one driven by nostalgia, there are some cards which are simply more desirable and more valuable than others.
It should also be noted that the Japanese and English releases of 151 have some pretty significant differences this time around. The most important thing is that the English set doesn’t have the Poké Ball and Master Ball holos that the Japanese set has: these special holos were some of the most valuable cards in the Japanese 151 release and, so far at least, English 151 doesn’t have an equivalent. Still, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t rare and valuable cards in the English release of Pokémon Card 151.
Here are the 10 most valuable and expensive cards in the newest Pokémon Scarlet and Violet TCG expansion, Pokémon 151.
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10 Most Expensive Cards in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet 151
Mew EX, Full Art
Beginning our list is the mascot of Pokémon 151, the legendary Pokémon Mew. This first appearance of Mew in the list is in the Full Art version of Mew EX, which is number 193 out of 207 in the total setlist. In terms of rarity, Full Art Mew EX follows the same theme as all the other Full Arts and is considered an Ultra Rare.
Created by aky CG Works, the Full Art version of Mew translates the cute and mischievous nature of the Legendary’s half-art EX card into a complete image. From the almost overwhelming amount of sweet cotton-candy pink to the simple yet iconic pose of Mew itself, this card is a perfect example of not needing to go overboard to make something very appealing.
As the first card on our 10 most expensive Pokémon 151 cards list, Mew EX Full Art is by no means a massive investment if you want to get it for your binder. Currently, this pretty pink version of Mew is going for about $20.
Mew EX, Full Art
Mew EX, Secret Rare
In ninth place, we have… another Mew. In fact, this next version of Mew will look eerily similar to the last one because it is the Secret Rare version of Mew EX, the only Hyper Rare gold Pokémon card in Pokémon 151. This card is one of the final ones in the entire set, sitting at number 205 out of 207 total cards.
Once again created by aky CG Works, the Secret Rare Mew EX variant does away with the pretty pink background in favour of that classic gold colouration we’ve had for a few years now. While gold cards may not be the most desirable or the most expensive (likely on account of them simply sharing art with the Full Art cards) this version of Mew is definitely an eye-catcher and remains a strong and worthy addition to Pokémon 151.
If you want to add this special gold version of Mew EX to your Pokémon Card 151 collection, you won’t have to spend that much: in fact, it’s going for around the same price as the regular Full Art, continuing the tradition of most Secret Rares being quite cheap despite their rarity. You’ll find the Mew EX Secret Rare selling for around $20 to $30.
Mew EX, Hyper Rare
Erika’s Invitation, Full Art
Next up we have another Full Art card, only this time it’s a Full Art Trainer card from Pokemon 151. That card is the Full Art version of Erika’s Invitation, which is number 196 in the 151 set list.
Like a lot of cards in Pokémon 151, this depiction of Erika in her Full Art card highlights her gentle nature. Illustrated by Saino Misaki, this card has Erika standing alone amidst a grove of beautiful trees with lavender leaves, bathing the entire card in this serene, calming glow as a few pastel leaves drift past Erika herself. This is one of the nicest Full Art Trainer cards in the entire Scarlet and Violet era of the TCG, never mind just Pokémon 151.
As the only Full Art Trainer card to make the list, this version of Erika is going for a very respectable price a few days following the official English 151 release date. Erika’s Invitation Full Art is hovering around $25 to $30.
Erika’s Invitation, Full Art
Charizard EX, Full Art
Closing out our selection of Full Arts for Pokemon 151 is the veritable king of Pokémon, Charizard. The Full Art version of Charizard EX is the seventh most valuable card in 151, likely due to the status and prestige of our Generation 1 starter. In terms of where it places in the set, Charizard EX Full Art is number 183 and is an Ultra Rare.
Created by PLANETA Mochizuki, this Full Art shows the more ferocious, battle-hungry version of Charizard that we’ve previously seen in other Pokémon TCG sets. With a striking blue outline which matches the colour of the Venasaur and Blastoise Full Arts, Charizard stands out amidst a sea of light reds to make another simple but very effective card for Pokémon 151.
Currently, the Full Art version of Charizard EX is selling for anywhere between $25 to $35, making it a relatively cheap pick-up when compared to some other Pokémon 151 cards, especially the other version of Charizard.
Charizard EX, Full Art
Venasaur EX, Alternative Art (Special Illustration Rare)
In sixth place, we have the Alternative Art of the final evolution of the first Pokémon: Venasaur EX Special Illustration Rare. This is the first, but certainly not the last, Alternative Art card to make the list, so it is quite fitting to have it be the gentle giant who started it all. Just like how the Bulbasaur line began Pokémon 151, Venasaur EX’s Alt Art is the first Special Illustration Rare in the set, coming in at number 198 out of 207.
Venasur EX Special Illustration Rare is the conclusion to the Bulbasaur line’s set of storytime cards, which starts in the Illustration Rare versions of both Bulbasaur (166) and Ivysaur (167). All three cards are masterfully illustrated by the incredibly talented Yoriyuki Ikegami who paints the blossoming Grass-types in an array of beautiful and vast forest landscapes, with the Venasaur card depicting the Seed Pokémon almost hiding amongst an array of vibrant, almost alien plantlife. These storytime cards are the best things to come out of the Scarlet and Violet era of the TCG and the Pokémon 151 starter cards are proof of that.
While it may not be as high on the list as many would expect, the Alternative Art of Venasaur EX is still going for a very good price right now. A few days after release, Special Illustration Rare Venasaur is going for around $40 and seems to be staying steady at that price point.
Venasaur EX, Alternative Art
Blastoise EX, Alternative Art (Special Illustration Rare)
Following its starter brethren and coming in at number 5 on the list is the Alternative Art version of Blastoise EX. This card sits at number 200 in the Pokemon 151 set list.
Similar to how the Venasaur and Charizard Alt Arts are, the Blastoise EX Special Illustration Rare is connected to the Illustration Rares of both Squirtle (170) and Wartortle (171). Mitsuhiro Arita is responsible for the art on all three cards and they perfectly showcase the Water starter’s journey from the beach to the shallows the abyss-like depths of the ocean. Following the gentle and calm theme of most 151 cards, the Blastoise Alternative Art mixes tranquillity with a looming sense of foreboding as the Shellfish Pokémon aimlessly drifts alone above the looming darkness of the ocean floor.
The final evolution of the Kanto Water starter is certainly very special, meaning that it’s currently going for a decent chunk of change. Blastoise EX Special Illustration Rare is, at the moment, selling for anywhere from $40 to $45, but prices do seem to climbing as high as $60 or even $70. If you want to ensure that you get this beloved Gen 1 turtle in your collection as soon and as cheap as possible, it’s probably best to buy it sooner rather than later.
Blastoise EX, Alternative Art
Alakazam EX, Alternative Art (Special Illustration Rare)
Just narrowly missing out on the top 3 list is Alakazam EX’s Special Illustration Rare. This card, and the entire Alakazam line, are a very special part of Pokémon 151, so seeing this great card so high on the list is really nice. In terms of where it sits on the set list, Alakazam EX’s Alternative Art is number 201 out of 207 in Pokémon 151.
Illustrated by Shinya Komatsu, this card depicts Alakazam in an almost storybook fashion, working diligently with their telekinetic powers in a house full of oddities and knickknacks. While it certainly isn’t the most exciting card, Alakazam EX Special Illustration Rare has a massive amount of charm, with its relative mundanity allowing it to stand out amongst the other Alternative Arts in the set.
A few days after the release of Pokemon Card 151, this Alternative Art variant of Alakazam EX is going for around $45 to $50. While this isn’t the first time Alakazam has had a nice card, it’s fitting that, in the set where the whole Alakazam line is reunited for the first time in over 20 years, it scores one of the most valuable cards there is.
Zapdos EX, Alternative Art (Special Illustration Rare)
In third place on the best Pokémon 151 cards list, we have one of the best cards in the entire set with the Zapdos EX Special Illustration Rare. Sitting at number 202 out of 165, this Special Illustration Rare is unique and stands out amongst the already stacked roster of great cards in this set.
Illustrated by Shiburingaru, Zapdos’ Alt Art is easily the most vibrant and striking card in the entirety of Pokémon 151. Between that bright shock of blue sky in the background and the vivid shapes of all three Legendary birds, as they dash through the air, this card manages to elicit feelings of energy and excitement while also staying true to that theme of quietness that permeates a lot of 151. It’s an absolutely gorgeous card and well deserving of its place so high on the list.
Of course, as one of the most highly desired and best-looking cards in all of Pokémon 151, Zapdos EX Special Illustration Rare is going to cost you a pretty penny. To be more exact, Zapdos EX’s Alternative Art is currently selling for around $50, give or take. For a card as nice and striking as this one, that’s honestly a pretty good deal.
Zapdos EX, Alternative Art
Erika’s Invitation, Alternative Art (Special Illustration Rare)
In second place we have a surprising runner-up in the Alternative Art version of Erika’s Invitation. This is the only Alt Art Trainer Card to make the list (with the other one belonging to Team Rocket boss Giovanni) and is number 203 in the Pokemon 151 setlist.
Erika returns to steal the second-place spot, ditching her Full Art card for an elegantly styled Alternative Art illustrated by Cona Nitanda. Just like that first card, this Special Illustration Rare captures Erika in a moment of peaceful nothingness, of extreme normality. Between the soft, graceful style of the entire card and the bright pops of colour sprinkled in with bottles and perfumes, this card is a treat to look at.
If you’re looking to add this beautiful card to your binder, you’re in luck. Right now, a few days after 151’s release, Erika’s Invitation Special Illustration Rare is going for around $55 to $60, a reasonable amount for a card as nice as this one.
Erika’s Invitation, Alternative Art
Charizard EX, Alternative Art (Special Illustration Rare)
To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the most expensive card from the Pokémon Card 151 expansion is, of course, the Charizard EX Special Illustration Rare variant. Just like how it dominated the top 10 of Obsidian Flames, Charizard has returned to claim its crown as the most popular Pokémon of all time once again in 151. The Alternative Art version of Charizard EX is number 199 out of 207.
Like all the other starter Alternative Arts, this version of Charizard finishes the story told by the Illustration Rare versions of Charmander (168) and Charmeleon (169). All three cards were beautifully illustrated by Miki Kudo who depicts the Generation 1 Fire starters in a simple, calming pastel style, one where Charmander goes from the bottom of a craggy ravine to coasting the skyline far above. The Charizard card, in particular, has such as sense of bliss and serenity about it, from the cool colours to the paradoxically peaceful volcano in the backdrop, this is a version of Charizard we often don’t get to see.
As for how much this Charizard EX Special Illustration Rare costs, it is significantly more expensive than any other card in 151. If you want to get this gorgeous card in your collection, you’re looking at easily over $100, maybe even up to $130. Once again, Charizard has risen to the occasion in yet another Pokémon TCG set and proven why, if you have any doubts, you should always bet on a Charizard card.
Charizard EX, Alternative Art
Those were the 10 most valuable and expensive cards from the latest Pokémon TCG expansion, Pokémon Card 151. As always with trading cards, the price of certain cards is bound to fluctuate and change as time passes and more copies of each card are pulled, even if the overall order of which cards are most valuable stays the same. Good luck with your pulls!
