Among Pokémon cards, those with the **lowest population**—meaning the fewest graded copies known to exist—are typically the rarest and most valuable cards, often from limited releases, special promos, or cards with notoriously low print runs. These low-population cards are highly sought after by collectors due to their scarcity and the difficulty of obtaining them in high-grade condition.
Some of the Pokémon cards with the lowest population and highest rarity include:
1. **Illustrator Pikachu (1998 Promo)**
This card is widely regarded as the “holy grail” of Pokémon cards. Only 39 copies were ever awarded to winners of a Japanese illustration contest, and far fewer exist in high-grade condition. Its extreme rarity is reflected in its population report, with very few graded copies, especially at PSA 10. This scarcity has driven prices to over $5 million for a perfect copy, making it the rarest and most valuable Pokémon card known[2].
2. **Gold Star Cards (EX Era, mid-2000s)**
Gold Star Pokémon cards, such as **Gold Star Umbreon** and **Gold Star Rayquaza**, are famous for their rarity. These cards were difficult to pull from packs, resulting in very low print runs. For example, Gold Star Rayquaza from the EX Deoxys set has a very low population of graded cards, with PSA 10 copies often selling for over $40,000. Gold Star Umbreon is similarly rare, with very few copies graded, making it one of the hardest cards to find and verify on the market[1][2][3].
3. **First Edition Base Set Cards (Shadowless and Holofoil)**
Early Base Set cards, especially First Edition Shadowless holographic cards like Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur, have low populations in high-grade conditions due to their age and the wear from early collectors. While many copies exist, the number of pristine PSA 10 graded cards is limited, increasing their scarcity and value[2][3].
4. **Special Promo and Region-Locked Cards**
Cards distributed only at special events or in limited regions, such as certain promo cards or tournament prizes, often have very low populations. For example, the **Master Ball pattern** card from Japan’s Pokémon Card 151 set is a secret rare with a very limited print run, making it scarce and highly collectible[2].
5. **Phantasmal Flames Mega Hyper Rare Cards (Recent Sets)**
The Mega Hyper Rare card type, introduced recently with Mega Evolutions, has extremely low pull rates, making these cards some of the rarest in modern Pokémon TCG sets. Their scarcity is reflected in low population reports and high market value among collectors chasing the newest rare cards[4].
Population reports from grading companies like PSA, BGS, and CGC are crucial for understanding how many copies of a card exist in various conditions. Cards with very low population counts, especially in top grades like PSA 9 or PSA 10, command premium prices because collectors value both rarity and condition. For example, a card might be rare overall, but if many copies exist in high grade, its value is lower than a card with fewer high-grade copies[2][3].
The Pokémon card market continues to grow, with grading volumes reaching record highs, but older rare cards maintain their low population status because no new copies are being produced. This dynamic keeps the supply tight for vintage and promo cards, preserving their rarity[5].
In summary, the Pokémon cards with the lowest populations are typically:
– **Illustrator Pikachu (1998 Promo)**
– **Gold Star Pokémon cards (e.g., Umbreon, Rayquaza)**
– **First Edition Base Set Shadowless Holos**
– **Limited promo and region-locked cards**
– **Newly introduced ultra-rare types like Mega Hyper Rares**
These cards are rare due to limited print runs, exclusive distribution, or extreme difficulty in pulling them from packs, and their low graded populations make them some of the most valuable and sought-after cards in the Pokémon collecting community.
