Some of the best cards from the E-Reader era of thePokemon TCGhave become iconic among collectors. The original 151 are represented well among the most expensive cards in Expedition, as you’ll find everything from starters to legendaries here.
As such an early set in the life of the Pokemon TCG, you won’t find anyexpensive full-art Trainer cardshere, as Pokemon are the sole focus of this set. We’re going back to the days when Holo Rares and Secret Rares were the best cards you could get, well before the age of modern cards that feature alternate arts, likethe Sword & Shield era.
Cards are valued according to theirTCGPlayerMarket Price,which is what you mightpay for a near-mintcopy of the cards below.
Given their age and rarity,sale prices are vastly different depending on condition,so this is just a rough idea of the card’s value.
10Typhlosion (Holo Rare) – $101.87
Starting Hot
We kick things off with this fiery Typhlosion artwork, capturing this starter Pokemon during a menacing moment. The fierce look in Typhlosion’s eye is scarier than its scorching hot price tag, kicking things off in the triple digits.
Luckily, if you’re just a fan of Typhlosion and aren’t bothered about the condition, this card canbe had for a relatively cheap price in HP condition (heavily played),hovering closer to the $30 range, rather than the roughly $100 you would need to pay for a clean copy.
9Venusaur (Holo Rare) – $108.33
A Playful Slice Of Life
Venusaur very rarely finds itself ahead of a Fire-type starter, as it often competes with Charizard as some ofthe most valuable cards in vintage sets like Gym Challenge. While Charizard is nowhere to be seen for now, Venusaur falls well short of its eternal rival.
Despite settling for second (well, third) fiddle again, Venusaur boasts a beautiful artwork of it playing with its Pokeball, a wonderful moment in a style we’ve rarely seen. With such a beautiful design and color palette, this verdant Venusaur art is a perfect depiction of this Pokemon.
8Alakazam (Holo Rare) – $109.99
A Very Unusual Depiction
Alakazam isone of the most recognizable Pokemon from Generation One,as this Psychic-type dominated the early days with its powerful typing and moves. Although this artwork gives Alakazam a slightly different look than the one we know today, the meditative pose is extremely familiar.
Considering the price ranges for the other cards in Expedition, this card maintains a relatively strong price tag, even commanding $25 in damaged condition, which is the same as some of the other, more valuable cards. Alakazam impresses among the most expensive cards in Expedition.
7Mew (Holo Rare) – $124.13
Floating Up The Charts
Mew, the first Mythical legendary Pokemon makes its presence known in Expedition as this gorgeous artwork gets the ball rolling, as its value jumps into the $125 range.
Mew’s positioning and pose allow plenty of room forbeautiful holo blotch patternsto appear on the background, making this card even more collectible.
If you’re looking to buy this card in near-perfect condition, it might run you even more than the market price would indicate, assome sales reached more than $200,capping out with an older sale around $400.
6Gengar (Holo Rare) – $134.24
Mischievous But Cute
Gengar isone of the most popular Pokemon from Generation One in the Pokemon TCG,as it still commands high value for its modern cards.
The Gengar VMAX alternate art isone of the most valuable cards in Fusion Strike, illustrating Gengar’s longevity as a popular Pokemon to collect across generations.
This artwork gives Gengar an unusually friendly appearance, though its signature smirk might ward off any desire to approach it. Considering the height of Gengar’s popularity, it’s somewhat surprising to see this card this low on the list of valuable Expedition cards.
5Blastoise (Holo Rare) – $160.36
Surfacing From The Depths
Blastoise blows Gengar out of the water, eclipsing the ferocious Ghost-type by over $25 to claim a leg up among the best Expedition cards.Near-mint copies are rock solid at $160 for now,and LP (lightly played) isn’t much cheaper, but you can pick Blastoise up for as little as$25 for a damaged copy.
This Blastoise card features a beautiful misty artwork of the turtle Pokemon emerging from the water. This rare action shot features Blastoise from a different angle than we can usually expect, giving it plenty of eye appeal to appreciate.
4Mewtwo (Holo Rare) – $170.08
A Majestic Mewtwo Pose
Mewtwo is another Pokemon from Generation One that boasts a host of valuable cards, especially given itsbase set version is one of the most valuable cardsin that set.
This card’s value fluctuates heavily, as one can be bought for below $50 if you find it in HP condition, but it’s no surprise considering how difficult it is to find cards from this era still in superb condition. While it’s not the most expensive Mewtwo card ever, this art might be the most majestic, given Mewtwo’s pose.
3Tyranitar (Holo Rare) – $191.00
Shining Through The Dark
Tyranitar is another powerful and popular Pokemon from the first two generations of Pokemon that asserts itself with a respectable podium finish.
While this list is dominated by Kantonian classics, Tyranitar is only the second representative from Johto, demonstrating just how much weight it carries among collectors.
Much like Mewtwo, Tyranitar can bebought for about $50 if you aim for one in HP or worse condition,but getting your hands on a near-mint copy will cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $200, making this one of the most valuable Expedition cards.
2Dragonite (Holo Rare) – $209.97
Dragonite’s Dragon Tales Moment
Dragonite is already a bit goofy compared to some of the more intimidating Pokemon, like Tyranitar, but this artwork leans into this Dragon’s silly side.
It’s difficult to find this card in ungraded, near-mint condition, so its market price is subject to more volatile changes than some other cards on this list with a higher sales volume.
The lighthearted depiction of Dragonite endears this card to fans, collectors, and investors, as one of the most popular Kantonian Pokemon makes a big impact with this unique artwork.
1Charizard (Holo Rare) – $619.99
Soaring Into The Stratosphere
If one card was going to soar high above the $200 plateau, surpassing even the incredible heights of $500, thenCharizardwould be the one Pokemon who couldcommand such incredibly high value.
This iconic card is one ofthe most expensive Charizard cards of all timeand a must-have for any Charizard collector.
If you’re collecting an Expedition master set, don’t let this massive price tag deter you, as you can buy this card for roughly $200 if you don’t mind the wear and tear. If you can accept a damaged copy, then you might find one for around $100.
