Pokémon cards had some great sets released in 2023. There were 6 total including Crown Zenith, Scarlet & Violet, Paldea Evolved, Obsidian Flames, 151, and Paradox Rift.
Crown Zenith was the only set released in 2023 that was from the Sword and Shield series. All of the rest were the first sets released in the Scarlet & Violet series. While the most noteworthy was definitely the 151 set, there were a lot of other incredibly cool and collectible cards released within the year.
This list then will cover the top 15 Pokémon cards released within the year 2023. They will be the most expensive cards, excluding specialty or Staff releases.
Let’s get to it!
#15 – Raichu #211 – Paldea Evolved
~$35
Coming in at $15 is Raichu from the Paldea Evolved set. While it is pretty darn cute, it is also one of the harder and more expensive cards to pull from the Paldea Evolved set.
If you’d like to make this card your own, check out the link above and pick it up for yourself!
#14 – Tyranitar #222 – Paldea Evolved
~$35
Tyranitar that looks like it’s trying to fill the role for Godzilla? Yes please.
The unique perspective of the art makes Tyranitar look humongous, and the setting sun with numerous Staraptors flying over give this card an intense look.
One more score for Paldea Evolved.
#13 – Zapdos ex #202 – Scarlet & Violet 151
~$45
Coming in at #13 is the first card from the 151 set. The Zapdos ex is a beautiful card that is unfortunately overshadowed by some of the other Pokémon cards in the 151 set.
If the background, flowing wind, and lighting surrounding Zapdos isn’t cool enough, then take note of the other two legendary partners, Moltres and Articuno, flying alongside.
While it falls outside of the 3 most expensive in this set, it’s absolutely a great card worth picking up.
#12 – Origin Forme Palkia + Dialga VSTAR #GG67/GG68- Crown Zenith
~$50
Yes, I doubled up on this one and counted it as one. Please don’t hate me.
Next up is our first Crown Zenith cards and our first golden cards to enter the top Pokémon cards of 2023 list. The Origin Forme Palkia and Dialga VSTAR interestingly enough were one number after the other in the Crown Zenith set and are nearly exactly the same price.
While they aren’t the only golden looking cards in the set, nor are they the top of the list for Crown Zenith(cough spoiler alert), they have more than earned their spots on this list and both are definitely worth picking up if you’re trying to fill out a golden Pokémon card page.
#11 – Iono #269 – Paldea Evolved
~$50
Coming in at #11 is our first Trainer card on the list. While trainer cards weren’t worth much in the original sets, they have most certainly made a noteworthy appearance in modern sets.
And while Iono wasn’t quite cute enough to make the top cutest cards list, it certainly had a good showing. If this version isn’t impressive enough for you, the Japanese version of Iono was at one point a $1000+ card.
While the Japanese version has dropped since then, that one still sits at a pretty respectable $230+. Too pricey for you? Guess you’ll just have to pick up the English version instead!
#10 – Roaring Moon ex #251 – Paradox Rift
~$50
At #10, we have the Roaring Moon ex from the Paradox Rift set. The Paradox Rift set was the last Pokémon card set released in 2023 and focused on Generation 9 Paradox Pokémon.
The Roaring Moon ex card shows the power of the Roaring Moon with a fierce whirlwind around it. Not only that, but it emphasizes this by showing a number of frightened Pokémon in the background.
Regardless of your take, this is certainly a highly collectible Pokémon card from 2023.
#9 – Charizard ex #223 – Obsidian Flames
~$55
The Charizard ex from the Obsidian Flames set shows the Charizard in its “Tera” or Terastal form, which was a concept introduced in the Scarlet and Violet sets.
While there are other Tera Charizard cards out there that certainly give this one a run for it’s money, the silver background with wings spread wide certainly make this a great Charizard to have. If you’re looking for some cheaper Charizard cards, then I’ve got you covered there.
Fortunately or unfortunately, this is the only card that made the list from the Obsidian Flames set. Onto bigger and better things I suppose.
#8 – Mewtwo VSTAR #GG44 – Crown Zenith
~$60
While this list contains a lot of really cool Pokémon cards from 2023, the Mewtwo VSTAR will certainly take the cake for some. While Mewtwo is already a highly popular Pokémon, the art on this particular Mewtwo has some incredibly detail that other cards just can’t compete with.
First you see Mewtwo gathering energy to essentially go Super Saiyan, then you notice the Charizard across the way working to blast back its own attack. This detail and clash in particular is part of what makes this Mewtwo VSTAR card so great.
And if that’s not enough? The GG44 Mewtwo VSTAR card has a counterpart Charizard card facing the other way that you can also purchase. Pretty sweet huh?
#7 – Blastoise ex #200 – Scarlet & Violet 151
~$60
Next up on the list is the Blastoise ex #200 from the 151 set. This Blastoise is a Special Illustration Rare or SIR and is the second card from the 151 set.
Unlike most other Blastoise cards, this one shows Blastoise underneath the water seemingly looking for trouble. What makes this card so cool is that the holo pattern actually looks like rippling water. The background may looks simple but until you see this card in person, it’s hard to appreciate how cool it is.
#6 – Venusaur ex #198 – Scarlet & Violet 151
~$60
How can Blastoise be on this list without its big 3 companion Venusaur? It can’t and shouldn’t, so fortunately we can move forward.
The Venusaur ex SIR from the 151 set could be described as more tranquil than a lot of others on this list. The 151 set in total was incredibly popular and the art on these cards are a major part of why they are so sought after.
So if you are someone who likes to collect the Big 3 Pokémon cards, this set is a must-have for that collection. And if you are interested in investing in Pokémon cards, the 151 set is certainly one that is worth having.
#5 – Groudon #199 – Paradox Rift
~$60
Remember how we talked about how serene the 151 set was? Well, the Groudon #199 from Paradox rift is bringing it back towards Godzilla action vibes.
The Groudon #199 is the most expensive card from the Paradox rift set, and it’s another with some pretty amazing art in the background.
The waves crashing on the molten lava shore as volcanoes erupt in the background is a sight to behold. And if you like crossovers, it is certainly reminiscent of Godzilla or Power Rangers. All the more reason to pick up this bad boy.
#4 – Arceus VSTAR #GG70 – Crown Zenith
~$65
At #4 is our next Crown Zenith entrant and another golden card for your viewing pleasure. This time, it is the Arceus VSTAR card .
While this is not the most expensive card in the Crown Zenith set it has a pretty incredible background that emphasizes the power of Arceus. Not only is the art great, but it is a highly competitive card for play as well.
Don’t be shy. The Arceus VSTAR is worth adding to any collection regardless of what you want to use it for.
#3 – Giratina VSTAR #GG69 – Crown Zenith
~$100
Tired of sweet golden looking cards? Neither am I. At #3 on the list, the Giratina VSTAR is the most expensive card in the Crown Zenith set.
Despite being next to the 151 set in 2023, the Crown Zenith set has a respectable 4 cards in the top 15 of the year 2023. Each one of them also being of the golden variety.
What better page to add to your collection than the 4 golden Legendary cards, topping it off with a gold Giratina card?
#2 – Magikarp #203 – Paldea Evolved
~$170
Coming in at #2 in the Top Pokémon cards of 2023 list is none other than the Magikarp #203 from the Paldea Evolved set.
The Magikarp #203 was an instant hit with it’s intricate but quirky artwork, all surrounding one of the most useless original 151 Pokémon. While its evolved form Gyarados usually steals the spotlight, this Magikarp quickly became highly collectible and has only continued to gain value and popularity since its release in 2023.
If you were ever going to sleep on Magikarp, this is not the card to do it on.
#1 – Charizard ex #199 – Scarlet & Violet 151
~$180
It may come as no surprise that the 151 Charizard ex #199 is the most expensive Pokémon card released in 2023. The 151 set in total was one of the most sought after sets released in the past few years and this Charizard certainly sits at the pinnacle of the set.
While it’s not one of the top most expensive Charizard cards, it spiked in value in late 2024 and collectors still seem to believe that this will be a great card to hold onto into the future. And with artwork like that, how can you disagree?
Better pick this one up before it spikes even more!
Conclusion
2023 was a great year for Pokémon cards. While the majority of the year began the Scarlet and Violet set, it also included cards from Crown Zenith, which gave 2023 a wide variety of Pokémon and artwork.
Regardless of your taste, 2023 Pokémon sets had something for everyone. Hopefully you have a few of these amazing cards in your own personal collection.
Thanks for reading!
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