Gold Star Charizard and Gold Star Rayquaza prices depend mainly on the exact issue, grade, graded supply, character demand, and sale venue. The evidence does not establish a permanent winner because those factors change the comparison. Gold Star cards are scarce inserts identified by a gold star and distinctive artwork. Here, the comparison is limited to the English 2006 EX Dragon Frontiers Charizard #100 and English 2005 EX Deoxys Rayquaza #107.
Table of Contents
- Population numbers tell two different stories
- Grade can move the price by five figures
- Why collectors pay for each character
- How to make a defensible comparison
Population numbers tell two different stories
Card identity is a pricing input, not a technicality. Japanese releases, other gold Star cards, and differently numbered copies are not valid substitutes for this comparison. PSA reports 99 Gem Mint 10 Charizards among 3,169 submissions, compared with 48 PSA 10 Rayquazas among 1,069 submissions.
That gives Rayquaza roughly half as many top-grade copies, while Charizard has the lower PSA 10 hit rate—about 3.1% versus 4.5% based on those totals. PSA's comparison identifies both cards and their populations. These statistics measure PSA's census, not every surviving card. A smaller PSA 10 population can support scarcity, but it does not determine price without demand and sale evidence.
Grade can move the price by five figures
Rayquaza's recent psa prices show a steep condition ladder. As of August 11, 2026, PSA CardFacts listed $34,440 for PSA 10, $25,153 for PSA 9, and $16,612.75 for PSA 8. PSA's Rayquaza CardFacts entry documents those prices. That is a $9,287 difference between PSA 10 and PSA 9, followed by an $8,540.25 difference between PSA 9 and PSA 8.
Buyers should therefore compare the same grade instead of using one headline sale to price every copy. Charizard provides an even larger headline result: Heritage sold a PSA 10 for $65,625 on December 12, 2025. Heritage highlighted Charizard's popularity, Gold Star rarity, and the 98 PSA 10 certifications recorded at the time. That result should not be treated as a direct premium over Rayquaza's $34,440 figure. The prices come from different dates and sale contexts, so they do not prove that every comparable Charizard is worth more.
Why collectors pay for each character
Charizard #100 has differentiation beyond the character's broad popularity. It was the first Dark-type Charizard, and PSA says another Dark-type Charizard did not appear until 2023. Its design also combines the gold star with border-breaking, three-dimensional artwork. Rayquaza #107 has its own first: it is Rayquaza's first Shiny tcg appearance, featuring the black-colored Shiny Rayquaza. PSA describes it as a leading grail for Rayquaza collectors, linking demand to a distinctive character milestone rather than scarcity alone.
Its set also matters. PSA's historical account says EX Deoxys arrived during a low point in Pokémon's popularity and estimates Gold Star inserts at roughly one per 72 packs, creating a set-level supply constraint. PSA also documented cohort demand from collectors who viewed Rayquaza as their childhood hero. That 2020 observation explains why Rayquaza could separate from Charizard in demand at the time. It does not prove that the same price gap exists today.
How to make a defensible comparison
Start with matched evidence. Before relying on a sale, verify: Then use population data as context rather than a price tag. Rayquaza has fewer PSA 10 copies in the cited census, while Charizard turns a smaller share of its submissions into PSA 10s.
Each statistic answers a different scarcity question. Finally, check the population report and recent sales again when making a decision. PSA warns that its census changes as cards are graded or discovered, while any auction result can reflect that card's condition and the bidders present for that sale.
- English language
- Charizard #100 or Rayquaza #107
- The same grading company
- The same numerical grade
- A clearly dated sale
