Kadabra does not appear in the Mysterious Treasures set. This is one of the most common misconceptions among Pokémon card collectors, and it stems from a significant gap in Kadabra’s printing history. The Pokémon Company voluntarily ceased printing Kadabra cards in 2000 following illusionist Uri Geller’s lawsuit, which alleged the card infringed on his likeness and name rights.
Although the lawsuit was dismissed in 2003, the company maintained an unofficial ban on Kadabra for more than two decades. Mysterious Treasures, released in 2007, falls squarely within this print embargo period. If you’re searching for a Kadabra card to complete a Mysterious Treasures collection, you won’t find one—but the set does contain related Psychic-type Pokémon worth your attention. The set includes Abra, Kadabra’s pre-evolution, along with Alakazam, its final evolution, which appears as one of the most sought-after cards in the entire collection.
Table of Contents
- Why Was Kadabra Missing from Pokémon Cards for Over 20 Years?
- The End of the Kadabra Ban and When Kadabra Returned
- What Mysterious Treasures Actually Contains: Abra and Alakazam
- Most Valuable Mysterious Treasures Cards and Market Pricing
- Pricing Variations and Grading Impact on Mysterious Treasures Cards
- Secondary Psychic-Type Options in Mysterious Treasures
- Sourcing and Avoiding Counterfeits When Searching for Mysterious Treasures Kadabra
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Was Kadabra Missing from Pokémon Cards for Over 20 Years?
The Kadabra absence began long before mysterious Treasures ever hit shelves. In 2000, Uri Geller, the famous magician and paranormal illusionist, filed a lawsuit against The Pokémon Company, claiming that the Kadabra card—which features a Pokémon with psychic powers and a name phonetically similar to “abracadabra”—violated his personality rights and infringed on his likeness. Geller believed the card was a direct reference to him without proper compensation or consent.
The lawsuit was dismissed in 2003, but by then, the damage was done from a production standpoint. Rather than resume printing immediately after the lawsuit’s dismissal, The Pokémon Company chose to maintain an unofficial but strict ban on Kadabra cards. This 20-year gap affected multiple sets and formats, making any pre-2000 Kadabra cards significantly older and often more expensive due to limited availability. Collectors during the 2000s and 2010s who wanted to complete their regional or National Pokédex via the TCG simply could not obtain a printed Kadabra card without purchasing vintage stock from the 1990s.
The End of the Kadabra Ban and When Kadabra Returned
In June 2023, after Geller finally dropped his legal stance, The Pokémon Company reintroduced Kadabra to the trading card game in the Pokémon Card 151 set. This return was significant enough to garner coverage in mainstream media outlets, signaling to collectors that one of the longest-running card bans in TCG history had officially ended. Kadabra had not appeared on a printed card since the Base Set era of the mid-1990s, making its reintroduction a major event for both longtime collectors and newer players.
The timing of Kadabra’s return was particularly notable because it occurred decades after most players and collectors had assumed the card would never be reprinted. Some older collectors actually increased their purchases of 1990s Kadabra cards in the years leading up to this reintroduction, betting on continued scarcity. Once Card 151 hit the market, prices for vintage Kadabra cards stabilized rather than collapsed, since older printings retain collector value regardless of new releases.
What Mysterious Treasures Actually Contains: Abra and Alakazam
Mysterious Treasures does include two cards related to the Kadabra evolution line: Abra and Alakazam. Abra appears as card #69/123 in common and reverse holographic versions, with market prices typically ranging from $4.59 to $7.49 depending on condition and seller. It’s a straightforward common card with modest value, useful primarily as a filler for collectors assembling a complete set rather than as a standalone investment piece.
The real draw in this evolution line is Alakazam, which appears as card #2/123 in holographic rare Lv.X form—a powerful and visually striking card that commands significantly higher prices. Graded PSA 9 copies of this Alakazam Lv.X have sold in the $70.99 to $135.38 range, making it one of the genuinely valuable cards in Mysterious Treasures. The gap between a common Abra and a holo rare Lv.X Alakazam illustrates how dramatically rarity and card type affect pricing in the same set.
Most Valuable Mysterious Treasures Cards and Market Pricing
While Alakazam Lv.X commands strong prices, it’s not the most expensive card in Mysterious Treasures. Lucario Lv.X, Magmortar Lv.X, and holographic versions of Garchomp regularly achieve higher market values. These Lv.X cards represent a specific era of Pokémon TCG design (2007-2009) when Lv.X mechanics were the primary power escalation system, before EX and GX cards took over.
Collectors actively seek these cards, which keeps prices stable even as newer sets release. When pricing Mysterious Treasures cards, you’ll notice significant variation depending on whether you check TCGPlayer, PriceCharting, Pokémon Wizard, or GameStop. Each platform aggregates different seller inventories and condition grades, so a single card can have a $30 price range depending on where you look. Condition is critical—a lightly played Alakazam Lv.X will cost roughly half as much as a near-mint copy of the same card, and graded PSA copies command premiums of 50-200% over ungraded versions.
Pricing Variations and Grading Impact on Mysterious Treasures Cards
One warning for collectors: Mysterious Treasures cards from 2007 are now approaching 20 years old, and many copies show wear. Cards that appear “lightly played” to one seller might be graded as “moderately played” by PSA or BGS, affecting resale value. If you’re building a high-value collection or investing in expensive Lv.X cards, professional grading is worth the cost—but budget accordingly, as grading fees typically add $15-50 per card depending on the service tier.
Mysterious Treasures also suffers from the centering and print quality issues common to mid-2000s Pokémon sets. Even cards pulled fresh from packs often show slight centering misalignment, which downgrades them in the eyes of serious collectors and graders. This means pristine, well-centered copies command premiums, and it’s worth examining detailed photos before purchasing higher-value cards sight unseen.
Secondary Psychic-Type Options in Mysterious Treasures
Beyond Alakazam, Mysterious Treasures contains other Psychic-type cards worth noting if you’re building a themed collection. Dusknoir Lv.X and Bronzong Lv.X also appear in the set and have moderate collector interest. These cards won’t match Alakazam or Lucario in price, but they offer strategic interest for players who remember the competitive format of the era and for collectors pursuing complete Psychic-type or stage-specific collections.
Sourcing and Avoiding Counterfeits When Searching for Mysterious Treasures Kadabra
When you search online for “Mysterious Treasures Kadabra,” you’ll find no results—but be aware that some third-party sellers or listing aggregators may create misleading product pages that suggest Kadabra exists in the set, sometimes by accident through automated indexing. Always cross-reference the official Bulbapedia or TCGPlayer set lists before purchasing.
If you specifically want a Kadabra card, look instead to the 1990s Base Set printings or the newer Card 151 release from 2023. If you want a Mysterious Treasures staple, focus on Alakazam Lv.X, which has maintained steady value and remains genuinely hard to find in high-grade condition. Verified sellers on TCGPlayer and CardMarket maintain detailed condition descriptions and photos, which is essential for a set that’s now nearly two decades old.
- —
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t Kadabra in Mysterious Treasures?
Kadabra cards were not printed from 2000 to 2023 due to illusionist Uri Geller’s lawsuit against The Pokémon Company. Mysterious Treasures (2007) falls within this printing embargo, so only Abra and Alakazam appear in the set.
When was Kadabra finally reprinted?
Kadabra returned in June 2023 in the Pokémon Card 151 set, after Geller dropped his legal stance.
What is the most valuable card in Mysterious Treasures?
Lucario Lv.X and Magmortar Lv.X typically command the highest prices, though Alakazam Lv.X and holographic Garchomp also rank among the set’s most valuable cards.
How much does a Mysterious Treasures Alakazam Lv.X cost?
PSA 9 graded copies typically range from $70.99 to $135.38, while ungraded lightly played copies are considerably cheaper.
Should I invest in Mysterious Treasures Lv.X cards?
Prices have remained stable due to consistent collector demand for this specific era of card design, but condition and grading heavily impact resale value—budget accordingly for professional grading if pursuing higher-value copies. —
