There is no non-holographic version of the Secret Wonders Raikou card (16/132). This card, from the Diamond & Pearl—Secret Wonders set released in November 2007, exists exclusively in holographic form as a Rare Holo. Collectors searching for a “non-holo” variant of this specific card are likely looking for a different card entirely, or they may be confusing it with the reverse-holo version, which has a different appearance but is still technically holographic.
The Secret Wonders Raikou is a Lightning-type card with 80 HP, illustrated by Ryo Ueda. According to current pricing data from TCGPlayer and PriceCharting (July 2026), Near Mint holo copies trade between $18.00 and $21.84, with an average price around $9.62 when accounting for mixed-condition sales. Understanding which variant you actually own is essential for pricing accuracy and for finding comparable sales.
Table of Contents
- Does a Secret Wonders Raikou Non-Holo Exist?
- The Three Actual Variants of Secret Wonders Raikou
- Market Pricing for Secret Wonders Raikou Variants
- How to Identify Your Raikou Card
- Common Misidentifications and Market Confusion
- Where to Find Authentic Secret Wonders Raikou
- Grading and Condition Considerations for Secret Wonders Raikou
Does a Secret Wonders Raikou Non-Holo Exist?
The short answer is no. The secret Wonders Raikou appears in no official Pokémon TCG database as a non-holographic card. Serebii, Bulbapedia, TCGPlayer, PriceCharting, and MAVIN all list only the standard Rare Holo, the Reverse Holo, and the Cracked Ice Holo variants.
When searching across multiple pricing aggregators and collector databases, a non-holo version simply does not appear in the catalog for this specific card number (16/132). This confusion arises frequently in the market because many collectors use “non-holo” and “reverse holo” interchangeably, which is technically incorrect. A reverse-holo card is still holographic—it just has a different holofoil pattern that extends to the card border instead of being concentrated on the image. If you have a Secret Wonders Raikou that appears duller or lacks the traditional sparkle, it is almost certainly a reverse-holo variant, not a true non-holo.
The Three Actual Variants of Secret Wonders Raikou
The Secret Wonders Raikou exists in three documented variants: the standard Rare Holo, the Reverse Holo, and the Cracked Ice Holo. The standard holo is the most common release, featuring a traditional holofoil pattern concentrated on the illustration area. The reverse-holo version, released as part of the standard booster distribution, reverses the foil pattern so that only the borders, text box, and card frame have the sparkle effect, while the illustration itself appears flat.
The Cracked Ice Holo variant is the rarest of the three. This version was an exclusive to the Fall 2010 Collector’s Tin and features a distinctive cracked-ice holofoil pattern that differs visually from both the standard holo and reverse holo. A key limitation to note: the Cracked Ice Holo variant commands higher prices precisely because of its limited distribution, often selling 40-50% above the standard holo when both are in comparable condition. However, supply for Cracked Ice variants is significantly lower, making them harder to locate in the market.
Market Pricing for Secret Wonders Raikou Variants
Current market data as of July 2026 shows the following pricing structure: a near mint standard holo Raikou ranges from $18.00 to $21.84 on TCGPlayer, with mixed-condition copies averaging $9.62 according to MAVIN. Recent eBay sold listings show PSA 8 graded copies selling around $19.99. The price trend is negative, showing a -3.31% decline over recent months according to PriceCharting.
For reverse-holo copies, pricing typically falls 15-25% below the standard holo in the same grade, though this can vary depending on eye appeal and whether the reverse pattern is considered attractive by the buyer. Cracked Ice variants, when available, sell significantly higher—often in the $25-35 range for Near Mint copies, though fewer transactions occur in the market compared to standard holos. A warning: sellers occasionally list reverse-holo or damaged standard holos as “non-holo,” inflating asking prices below legitimate holos but claiming rarity. Always verify the holofoil pattern before purchasing.
How to Identify Your Raikou Card
Identifying which variant you own requires careful examination of the holofoil pattern. Hold the card at an angle under light and observe where the sparkle occurs. On a standard Rare Holo, the holofoil is concentrated primarily on Raikou’s illustration and extends partially into the borders. The text box and lower frame remain relatively matte.
On a reverse-holo variant, this pattern is inverted: the borders, Pokédex entry, and frame all contain sparkle, while the central illustration is matte or has minimal foil. The Cracked Ice variant has a distinctive texture that looks like small broken glass across the entire card surface, including both holofoil areas and non-holofoil areas. The artist credit at the bottom reads “Ryo Ueda” on all three variants. If you truly have a card with zero holographic shine anywhere on the card—meaning no sparkle on the borders, text, or illustration—then your card is either heavily damaged, a counterfeit, or not a Secret Wonders card at all. Secret Wonders booster packs released in 2007 did not include non-holographic rare cards.
Common Misidentifications and Market Confusion
Many collectors confuse reverse-holo cards with non-holo cards, particularly when reverse holos are in lower grades and the matte illustration makes them appear non-holographic at first glance. This confusion has led to mislabeled listings on secondhand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, where sellers sometimes advertise reverse holos as “non-holo Raikou” or “rare variant.” A warning: these mislabeled listings often undercut actual market value, tempting buyers who believe they’re getting a bargain, when in reality they’re simply purchasing a reverse holo at a discount. Another source of misidentification occurs when collectors examine damaged holos that have been played heavily or stored in poor conditions.
Surface wear and crease damage can make the holofoil pattern difficult to detect, leading someone to incorrectly assume they have a non-holo. If the card shows visible play wear but you cannot detect any holofoil anywhere on it, the card is either severely damaged or not from Secret Wonders. Always compare your card directly against high-resolution photos of confirmed Secret Wonders Raikou variants before making assumptions about rarity.
Where to Find Authentic Secret Wonders Raikou
TCGPlayer remains the most reliable source for purchasing Secret Wonders Raikou, offering both standard holo and reverse-holo listings from verified sellers with transaction history and ratings. PriceCharting aggregates data from multiple sellers and provides historical pricing trends, useful for tracking whether you’re buying at a good price. eBay’s sold listings (not active listings) provide actual transaction data and are invaluable for verifying realistic market values, particularly for graded PSA copies.
For Cracked Ice Holo variants, inventory is sporadic, and specialized Pokémon card forums like PokéBeach or r/PokemonTCG are better resources for locating sellers than general marketplaces. Always request multiple high-resolution photos showing the holofoil pattern at an angle before committing to a purchase. A specific example: a seller on TCGPlayer listing a “Secret Wonders Raikou” at $6.99 is almost certainly selling a reverse-holo in fair condition, not a bargain on a standard holo, so verify the listing photos carefully.
Grading and Condition Considerations for Secret Wonders Raikou
PSA grading data provides the most reliable pricing benchmarks for Secret Wonders Raikou. A PSA 8 (Near Mint-Mint) standard holo recently sold for $19.99 on eBay, while PSA 7 (Near Mint) copies typically sell in the $13-16 range. PSA 9 and PSA 10 copies are significantly rarer for this card, with only occasional sales in the $30+ range.
Condition matters substantially here—the difference between a PSA 7 and PSA 8 represents approximately a $6 swing in market value. The specific characteristics that determine grade for Secret Wonders Raikou include centering (how evenly the image aligns within the borders), corner wear (a major factor for 25-year-old cards), and surface quality (scratches on the holofoil are especially visible). If you own an ungraded copy and are considering professional grading, factor in the $10-12 grading fee when deciding whether a card worth $18-21 is worth the cost of authentication. For raw cards in Near Mint condition, the $18-21 market price already reflects a premium, so grading expenses may not be justified unless you plan to hold the card as a long-term collectible or believe it may grade higher than expected.
