The Most Valuable Gyarados Cards In Pokemon TCG

It's no longer such a shock to see the resurgence of the Pokemon TCGas a popular hobby and an attraction to many of the world's foremost collectors. For some, it's nostalgia. For others, it's the simple thrill of opening a booster pack and catching them all.

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And for others, still, it's all about their favorite monsters. Among those, Gyarados'popularity has never diminished. The fierce dragon-like sea creature, as well as its ironically pathetic origins, combines to fuel collector desire. Let's take a look at the most expensive Gyarados cards currently in the Pokemon TCG market.

Cards are ordered according to their TCGPlayer Market Price, which represents what you might pay on average for a copy of the (first edition, where applicable) cards below.

Given the age and rarity of these cards, only those with an established market price on TCGplayer are included.

However, sale prices are vastly different depending on the card's condition, so this market price is just a rough idea of the card's value.

Updated on September 8, 2024, by Andrew Scariati: While the best Gyarados cards may remain similar over time, their prices are constantly changing. From the most valuable Gyarados first edition cards, to rare Gold Stars, some of the best Gyarados cards in the Pokemon TCG will blow you away.

7 Giovanni’s Gyarados: Gym Challenge (Holo Rare) – $153.61

Team Rocket To The Moon

The fight for Gyarados supremacy in Gym Challenge is a hotly contested battle between two popular trainers. Giovanni is up first, with his Gyarados leaving plenty of room for holo blotches and swirls in the background, as the Pokemon is viewed from a distance, giving it a small appearance.

However, there's nothing small about this Pokemon's price tag, as even cards that are heavily played (HP) have posted sales at $60, while moderately played (MP) copies will only run you a little more – about $75. Upgrading to lightly played (LP) will be a bigger jump at $100+, with near-mint (NM) copies ripe for grading going for $128 to $199 depending on how clean the card is.

6 Gyarados Ex: FireRed & LeafGreen (Ultra Rare) – $158.50

Emerging From The Depths

FireRed & LeafGreen's graphical improvement over Red & Blue may not come across as substantial to modern eyes, but there was nothing like seeing a Gyarados in brand-new graphics way back in 2004. This set captures the magic of those remakes with this detailed, intimidating depiction of this ferocious sea monster.

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NM copies are difficult to track down, with sales ranging from $150 to nearly $200, given how rare it is to see well-preserved cards from the valuable sets in the EX-era. LP will cost anywhere from $130 to $150, as sales will fluctuate within the same category when cards seem to be in better (or worse) condition than stated.

5 Misty’s Gyarados: Gym Challenge (Holo Rare) – $174.10

Triumph Over Giovanni

Misty was a part of the games but was an even more important character in the popular anime. As the Water-type Gym Leader, getting a card with Gyarados was the pinnacle of pairings based on the available options during the time, so it's no surprise to see this as one of the most valuable Gyarados cards.

Misty's Gyarados even makes an impression on the most valuable cards in Gym Challenge, breaking into the top spots.

This first-edition card sells for a whopping $175+ in NM condition, with LP copies only offering a slight discount, with sales registering $155 and $158. There aren't many discounts offered on this card in clean condition, as grading it can be a very lucrative choice.

4 Gyarados XY60 (Staff Prerelease): XY Promos (Promo) – $274.51

A Gorgeous Staff Exclusive

Newcomers to the Pokemon TCG might see Ancient Origins Gyarados and find it hard to believe that it was a tournament-winning ace back in the Pokemon X & Y era. However, it's easy to see why a promo released exclusively to staff members at Pokemon events commands such a high price.

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This promo is one of the rarest Gyarados cards on the list, with barely a handful of available sales to reference. Most are in LP condition, ranging from $170 to $205. NM copies soar into the stratosphere, reaching heights of $275, though LP copies have made up the last four sales.

3 Gyarados: Base Set First Edition (Holo Rare) – $650.00

Gyarados is one of the most iconic Pokemon of the original 151, with this card being one of the best artworks of any Gyarados card thus far. The most valuable base set cards are highly collected, as Pokemon like Gyarados are some of the all-time greats.

A first edition will boost its value significantly above a Shadowless copy, especially if it's in good condition.

Even damaged copies of this card can command in the region of $150, as LP copies of this first edition Gyarados soar to $650 or more. With one sale setting the current market price, there's likely to be a major price movement the moment an NM copy sells on TCGplayer.

2 Shining Gyarados: Neo Revelation (Secret Rare) – $852.99

March Of The Shinies

The combination of the majestic, infamous shiny Gyarados and the terrified person in the boat is an incredible juxtaposition that gives this card a complex art that evokes terror and laughter simultaneously. Shining Gyarados is one of the most valuable cards in Neo Revelation, and probably the most iconic.

First edition copies are a huge test to track down via TCGplayer, with an HP copy setting the current bar at $372. Given that the unlimited version commands up to $480 in NM condition, it seems fair for TCGplayer to estimate a first edition NM copy at $852, though a sale is needed to confirm how accurate that figure is.

1 Gyarados Star: Holon Phantoms (Ultra Rare) – $949.50

The Shiny Pinnacle

Perhaps the most spectacular piece of worldbuilding the Pokemon TCG has ever done for the overarching franchise is the creation of a region outside the games, called Holon, where "Delta Species" Pokemon exist with exclusive powers.

These strange Pokemon developed as a result of electromagnetic waves broadcast by scientists seeking the ever-elusive Mew.

This unique Gold Star Gyarados is incredibly difficult to find, though a flurry of sales took place from July through September 2024. Two incredibly clean NM copies sold for $899 and $999, setting a high bar for all other Gyarados cards to aspire to. However, it's unlikely this card's value will be equaled by its peers if it remains steady.

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