The Most Expensive and Rare Eeveelution Cards in 2024
As a long-time Pokémon TCG collector and gaming enthusiast, I often get asked – what are the rarest and most expensive Eeveelution cards in 2024? From the iconic original trio of Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon to the new popular Ice and Fairy-types, Eevee and its eight evolution variants (commonly shortened to "Eeveelutions") remain hugely popular for their adorable looks and competitive battling prowess.
In the world of high stakes trading card dealing, a handful of special Eeveelution cards have cemented their status as Pokemon royalty – selling for the type of money usually reserved for vintage sports icons like Michael Jordan and Mickey Mantle.
The Holy Grail – Pikachu Illustrator Promo
Before getting into the various Eevee evolutions themselves, we have to mention what is considered the Mona Lisa of Pokemon cards – the elusive Pikachu Illustrator promo. While not technically an Eeveelution, this special 1997 Japanese promo depicting Pikachu drawing the original Eeveelutions makes it intimately tied to the Eevee lore. Of the 39 copies believed to exist, only 26 have been graded and accounted for so far. In January 2022, one PSA 9 Mint copy sold for a record $$$ million proving the Illustrator‘s status as the undisputed Holy Grail of Pokemon collecting. Unless more emerge from the woodwork, this promo is likely to remain the #1 most valuable Pokémon card for the foreseeable future.
The famed Pikachu Illustrator promo card continues to break sale records with every auction appearance
Old School Cool – Gold Stars & EXs from the 2000s Era
After the Illustrator promo, the next tier of elite Eeveelution cards comes from what is considered the Pokemon TCG‘s golden age – spanning the EX and Gold Star era sets printed between 2002 to 2007. Some of the specific big ticket cards that can fetch 5 to 6 figure sums in PSA 10 "Gem Mint" condition are:
Espeon Gold Star (Deoxys, 2005)
As part of the special chase "Gold Star" subset in 2005‘s Deoxys expansion, this Espeon card had an extremely limited print run. Of the 2,500 or so PSA graded copies, only 16 have achieved the perfect Gem Mint grade – hence its current $200,000+ market value. Umbreon from the same gold star subset carries a similar premium.
Recent Sale Prices:
| Grade | Sale Date | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | Feb 2023 | $210,000 |
| PSA 9 | Jan 2023 | $78,000 |
| PSA 8 | Dec 2022 | $36,000 |
Flareon EX Full Art (Generations, 2016)
While more modern than most cards on this list, the incredible artwork and Full Art status of this Flareon EX make it a prime target for collectors. Out of over 5,000 copies graded so far, only 21 have met the strict qualifications for a PSA 10. Recent auction sales reflect the scarcity premium these perfect graded copies can command.
Recent Sale Prices:
| Grade | Sale Date | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | Feb 2023 | $8,500 |
| PSA 9 | March 2022 | $3,100 |
Modern Art Chase – Alternate Arts from Sword/Shield Era
The past few years with new sets like Evolving Skies and Lost Origin have brought some of the most beautiful card artworks ever seen for the Eeveelution mons. While the alt arts may not have the generational nostalgia factor of the older cards, their fantastic illustrations and tough pull rates have quickly made them coveted by collectors and investors alike.
Specific modern Eeveelution chase cards cracking the top tier include:
Glaceon VMAX Alternate Art (Evolving Skies)
Of over 5,000 PSA graded copies, only 77 have achieved the vaunted blue label PSA 10 status so far. Raw mint copies still sell for over $600 due to high demand from sealed product being opened.
Recent Sale Prices:
| Grade | Sale Date | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | Dec 2022 | $7,600 |
| PSA 9 | Nov 2022 | $1,800 |
Leafeon VMAX Alternate Art (Evolving Skies)
| Grade | Sale Date | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | March 2023 | $5,500 |
| PSA 9 | Oct 2022 | $1,100 |
The Leafeon VMAX alt art from Evolving Skies has fast become one of the most popular Eeveelution chase cards
Factors Driving Price Growth Across Eeveelutions
When we look at the Eeveelution cards commanding premium values at the high end of the market, some clear trends emerge:
Nostalgia & The Gen 1 Factor
The original trio of Flareon, Jolteon, Vaporeon from 1999 seem to have an extra level of collector appeal versus some of the newer Fairy and Ice-type evolutions. Cards like the 1st Edition Jungle holo set or Japanese exclusive Vaporeon from 2021‘s Celebrations carry strong nostalgic sentiment driving prices.
Condition Sensitivity
Since pack fresh mint condition is absolutely critical for the most premium cards, Eeveelutions found in older sets with lower print quality tend to be more scarce and valuable in PSA 10. For example, Skyridge or Aquapolis era cards like Espeon stand out more compared to a modern English or Japanese pack fresh hit.
Waifu Appeal
Eeveelutions with cute, anthropomorphic artwork like Sylveon and Glaceon seem to be increasingly popular with the modern collector demographic. Full art and Alternate Arts allow showcase illustrations and themes that amplify the natural cuteness of Eons like Leafeon and Espeon.
While flashy chase cards grab headlines, the Eeveelution lineup provides something for collectors of all means whether your budget is $20 or $200,000. As an OG fan that remembers pulling Base Set Jolteons as a kid years ago, it excites me to see the newfound mainstream attention and maturity surrounding our hobby. And you can bet the Eevee hype train won‘t be stopping anytime soon!
What are your favorite Eeveelution cards or collecting stories? I‘d love to hear from fellow fans in the comments below!
